GPS tech turns on a light for the blind

The visually impaired don’t get a lot of help when it comes to next-gen tech to help them better live autonomous lives. For generations, the most cutting-edge apparatus has been an extendable stick. Whee.

But designer Xun Ye is turning all that negligence on its ear with the Origin GPS, the first truly next-gen device for the blind. Okay, so it’s still just an extendable stick, but it is to extendable sticks what Snoop Dogg’s favourite low rider is to a rickshaw. Fitted with a GPS unit that tracks the cane-bearer’s whereabouts, the Origin’s built-in handle mic has only a destination to be spoken into it to provide directions and even give Braille scale feedback.

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you can probably see just fine. But even you can’t deny how cool a technological stride like this is.