A new high-tech alternative, developed by an Austrian firm called Tech-Innovation, is now available to the vision impaired, complementing canes and service dogs.

A startup has developed a pair of shoes equipped with a sensor that can identify obstacles and notify the sight handicapped via vibration or sound.

 The sensors in the InnoMake device respond to obstacles sensed within a range of half a meter to four meters. The sensor is rechargable and has a built-in slot for easy integration into the shoes; its battery life is up to seven days on a single charge. The battery can be completely charged in about three hours.