Toyota Helping To Enhance Mobility Through Project BLAID

Mar 8, 2016

Toyota Motor Company knows that mobility is not just a convenience but something that can empower you to take charge of your life. That is why the brand has started Project BLAID which is dedicated to creating a device that would offer more mobility to the visually impaired. This device would help to offer the wearer better navigation when walking around indoor spaces such as houses, offices, stores, public restrooms, stairs, escalators, and much more.

This device has been designed to use cameras to help better detect objects in the surrounding area and then it transmits this information to the wearer through speakers and vibration motors. Overall, this will help to fill in any gaps left by canes and guide dogs. Eventually, Toyota plans to include software such as facial recognition, mapping, and object detection.

“Project BLAID is one example of how Toyota is leading the way to the future of mobility, when getting around will be about more than just cars,” said Simon Nagata, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Toyota Motor North America. “We want to extend the freedom of mobility for all, no matter their circumstance, location or ability.”

“Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind and Visually Impaired Being Developed by Toyota | Corporate.” Toyota USA Newsroom. N.p., 7 Mar. 2016. Web. 07 Mar. 2016. <http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/wearable+mobility+visually+impaired+toyota.htm>.