TDK Lends New Sensors to WeWalk for AI-Integrated Smart Cane

At CES 2025, TDK demonstrated new sensors operating in WeWalk’s Smart Cane 2 for people with blindness or low vision. The WeWalk cane uses TDK motion sensors, MEMS microphones, and ultrasonic time-of-flight sensors to turn a white cane into an enhanced navigation device.

At CES 2025, All About Circuits writer Jake Hertz (left) gets a demo of the WeWalk Smart Cane 2 from Song Li, Director of Product Marketing at TDK InvenSense. All About Circuits image.

Canes and walking sticks have been an important tool for blind or partially-sighted people for centuries. They became “white canes” in the early 20th century when a blind photographer in England painted his cane white for better visibility by others. The practice caught on and shortly thereafter, government regulations solidified the color scheme. Such canes are used for tactile recognition of the near environment, such as stairs, curbs, and other obstacles.

The TDK Sensors in the Smart Cane 2

WeWalk's latest release at CES, Smart Cane 2, contains a set of new TDK sensors to detect motion, sound, and distance.

The new Smart Cane 2 integrates TDK sensors. Image (modified) used courtesy of WeWalk

In addition to the sensors listed below, the Smart Cane 2 also uses reduced-size TDK passive components like inductors and a surface-mount RF chip antenna.

SmartMotion

The TDK InvenSense SmartMotion IMU sensor brings a six-axis combined accelerometer and gyroscope to the Smart Cane 2. The IMU combines a three-axis gyro and three-axis accelerometer on the same die for maximum integration, reduced signal noise, and high sensitivity.

Block diagram of the ICM-45605, one of TDK's InvenSense six-axis MEMS motion-tracking devices. Image used courtesy of TDK

The sensor includes a pressure sensor and on-board digital motion processor (DMP). As implemented in the Smart Cane 2, the sensor allows the cane to understand its orientation and motion. The combination, along with the other sensors, allows the cane to determine how it is being used and better deliver augmented information to the user.

SmartSound

The TDK InvenSense SmartSound MEMS microphone adds voice assist functionality. The TDK MEMS microphone can respond to voice commands using the cane's command buttons. The microphone consumes little power but adds a great level of convenience and functionality to the cane. The microphone is combined with AI processing for voice and command recognition. The AI assist greatly improves the accuracy of voice commands while keeping electrical power requirements low.

SmartSonic

The new SmartSonic ICU-30201 ultrasonic sensor delivers time-of-flight distance measurements. It’s a MEMs device with a sensing range of up to 9.5 meters (31 feet) under any lighting condition. It has a configurable field of view with broad surface compatibility. In the Smart Cane 2, the ultrasonic sensor delivers real-time object presence detection and obstacle avoidance. Conventional canes cannot detect objects farther than the mechanical reach of the cane. The ultrasonic ranging sensor can dramatically increase object awareness and, thus safety, by detecting distance objects well before they are within the physical range of the cane.

Simplified block diagram of the ICU-30201. Image used courtesy of TDK

The ICU-30201 has an internal embedded processor for pre-processing and such functions as human detection. The device can save power by sleeping when not in use and quickly waking up when it detects a user. 

Smart Cane 2 Giveaway at CES

To top off the joint development efforts, TDK and WeWalk have made eight Smart Cane 2s available as a giveaway from their booth at CES 2025 (Booth #15815). Visitors with blindness or low vision can enter to win one of the eight canes. In addition to their usability in the Smart Cane 2, the new TDK sensors are suitable for a wide range of wearable and smart home devices.