Honda has established a start-up to launch an in-shoe navigation system to support the visually impaired.

Called Ashirase, the start-up is the first business venture to originate from the Japanese company’s Ignition business creation programme that helps employees bring their own ides to fruition.

The in-shoe navigation system can support the visually impaired with walking and Ashirase hopes to begin sales of the system early in 2024.

The navigation system consists of a smartphone app and a three-dimensional vibration device including a motion sensor, which is attached inside the shoe.

Based on the route set with the app, the device vibrates to provide navigation. When the user should go straight, the vibrator positioned on the front part of the foot vibrates, and when the user is approaching a right or left turn, the vibrator on the right or left side vibrates to notify the user.

The navigation enables intuitive understanding of the route, and therefore the user does not have to be constantly mindful of the direction, which makes it possible for the user to walk more safely and with a more relaxed state of mind.

Guidance information is generated based on GNSS positioning information and data using the user’s foot movement. Navigation is provided through vibration on the foot, so as not to interfere with the user’s hand, which is holding a white cane, or ears used to listen to ambient sounds.

Vibrators are aligned with the nerve layer of the foot, making it easy to feel the vibration. Soft material that maintains its original shape is used for the device to limit any discomfort to the user.

In Japan, the number of people with visual impairment including low vision was estimated to be 1.64 million in 2007, and the number is forecast to increase to nearly two million by 2030.

Visually impaired people constantly check their safety and route to the destination when they walk alone. However, as they are required to use all remaining senses to acquire information to compensate for their limited sight, it is somewhat inevitable that they will be unable to pay thorough attention and face functional issues such as getting lost or falling into unsafe situations.

Moreover, discovery sessions conducted by the development team with the visually impaired revealed that such functional issues lead to psychological issues, as indicated by comments such as this from a person with low vision: “I feel frustrated when I remember the time when I was walking freely without vision problems.” And a person with late-onset total blindness said: “When I get lost, people around me sometimes do not respond when I try to talk to them. It is scary because I don’t know why they are not responding.”

With the concept of navigation that enables safety and a relaxed state of mind for the visually impaired, Ashriase is being developed as a product that helps users reach their destinations safely and have a more independent lifestyle.

“An accident suffered by one of my family members motivated me to take action to realise safer and more free mobility for visually impaired people,” said Wataru Chino, representative director of Ashirase. “I developed the Ashirase and applied to Ignition, Honda’s new business creation programme, which led to the establishment of Ashirase. I am sure that we will face many obstacles as we work towards the market launch of Ashirase. However, we will overcome such obstacles one by one and devote ourselves wholeheartedly to realise the freedom of mobility for visually impaired people.”

The Ignition business creation programme aims to give shapes to the original technologies, ideas and designs of Honda associates and contributes to solving social problems and creating value going beyond existing Honda business.

All full-time Honda associates in Japan are eligible to submit proposals regardless of their length of employment and assigned divisions. Ideas that pass the final evaluation process will be commercialised within the company or through a start-up venture.