Apparatuses, systems and methods associated with a travel assistance system. A wearable personal navigation device may include a communication system, an indicator, and a processor coupled to the communication system and the indicator. The processor may be configured to generate a request for a navigation path from a location to a destination and transmit the request to a node of the network. The processor may be configured to determine the direction of travel from the location of the user based on a first navigation path received from the node of the network in response to the request, wherein the first navigation path includes at least one modification from a second navigation path, wherein the modification is based on data received by the network from a remote device that indicates an object, and cause the indicator to indicate the direction of travel. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

When it is determined that a presence of a traffic light is not recognized in an image acquired by a first image acquisition operation by a camera, the presence of the traffic light is recognized in an image acquired by a second image acquisition operation in which a recognition accuracy of the presence of the traffic light is improved. In this second image acquisition operation, it is assumed that a pedestrian is stopped in front of a pedestrian crossing, and there is little demand for increasing a detection speed of objects such as moving objects present in a surrounding area. Thus, it is possible to sufficiently obtain the recognition accuracy of the traffic light by the second image acquisition operation that gives priority to the recognition accuracy of the presence of the traffic light.

A smart cane assembly includes a cane, an electronic device, and a headset. Each part is configured to communicate with the other through known wired and/or wireless communications. Data may be transmitted between them in real time to provide accurate and meaningful information to the user related to providing a 3D audible sound through the headset relating to an object in the environment. In general, the cane includes one or more sensors to detect obstacles in the environment, the electronic device processes the information, and the headset conveys the information to the user.

An illuminated white cane is disclosed herein. The white cane has two translucent tubular sections which may contain a flexible illumination circuit. Each tubular section may have a red portion and a white portion, through which the illuminator circuit is able to transmit light. An elastic cord may pass through the two sections in parallel to the illuminator circuit, being anchored to a handle and handle core at one end, and a cane-tip bushing with a threaded retainer at the other end. The two tubular sections join with two bushings that are retained together by the tension of the elastic cord.

A vision impaired navigating assembly for guiding a visually impaired user while walking includes a cane that is gripped by a visually impaired user to assist the visually impaired user with walking. A biometric scanner is coupled to the cane to scan the visually impaired user's fingerprint. A first transceiver is integrated into the cane and the first transceiver is in wireless communication with a global positioning system (gps) for gps navigation. A second transceiver is integrated into the cane and the second transceiver is in wireless communication with a personal electronic device. A speaker is coupled to the cane to emit audible sounds outwardly therefrom related to gps navigation for guiding the visually impaired user.

A smart cane may include: a main body configured to have an adjustable length; an inertia sensor unit configured to generate an angle value between a ground surface and the smart cane or detect an impact on the main body; and a controller configured to adjust the length of the main body according to at least one of the angle value and a number of impacts on the main body.

A cane apparatus may include a body portion, a handle at a top end of the body portion, a proximity detector coupled to the body portion, an alert mechanism, and a processor communicatively coupled to the proximity detector and the alert mechanism. The processor may be configured to: determine, based on a signal received from the proximity detector, that the proximity detector is within a threshold distance of an obstacle; and based on the determination, activate the alert mechanism.

A cane apparatus may include a body portion, a handle at a top end of the body portion, a proximity detector coupled to the body portion, an alert mechanism, and a processor communicatively coupled to the proximity detector and the alert mechanism. The processor may be configured to: determine, based on a signal received from the proximity detector, that the proximity detector is within a threshold distance of an obstacle; and based on the determination, activate the alert mechanism.

Devices and methods for assisting and guiding a person with visual and/or hearing impairment. In various embodiments there is a computer-guided, motorized walking stick. Preferably, at least one wheel at the distal end of the stick, and in contact with the ground, can be steered or pivoted over a range of angles, and thus establish a desired direction. In yet other embodiments there are one or more powered wheels that further drive the walking stick in the desired direction. Various algorithms are disclosed for providing instructions to the computer controller by way of various input devices. Still further embodiments include various types of sensors that provide data to the computer with regards to objects proximate to the walking stick.

A mobility tool for the blind and visually impaired includes a rod and an earpiece. The earpiece is configured to position on an ear of a user so that a first speaker is positioned proximate to an ear canal of the ear. A sensing module is coupled to a lower end of the rod and is configured to detect a temperature hazard, a water hazard, and a traffic hazard. A navigation and communications module is coupled to an upper end of the rod and is operationally coupled to the sensing module and the earpiece. The navigation and communications module comprises a GPS transceiver that is configured to send and receive location coordinates. The sensing module is configured to detect a respective hazard along a route, positioning the first speaker to selectively broadcasting directions for the route and a warning of the respective hazard to the user.