Walking With Insight

Traditional mobility aids like white canes and guide dogs remain essential for people who are blind or visually impaired. But navigating busy, unfamiliar, or uneven environments still comes with challenges.

Glide, a new device developed by Seattle-based startup Glidance, offers an alternative, not by replacing those tools, but by augmenting them with intelligent technology designed to enhance independence and ease.

What Glide Is—and Isn't

At first glance, Glide looks more like a small piece of luggage than a mobility device. It has wheels, a telescoping handle, and a sleek design. But behind this form is a set of sensors and algorithms that allow it to function as a self-guided mobility partner.

Glide isn’t pulled or pushed in the traditional sense—it works with the user, gently leading when appropriate and responding to their direction when needed.

It’s designed for those who are blind or have low vision, but its goal isn’t to replace familiar navigation tools—it’s to offer an additional layer of safety and spatial awareness.

How It Works

Glide operates through a combination of:

• Depth cameras and sensors to detect nearby obstacles, drop-offs, and overhead hazards.

• Haptic feedback through the handle, guiding users with tactile signals.

• Audio assistance via built-in speakers and microphones that support voice commands and environmental updates.

• A companion app that provides software updates and user customization.

Users guide Glide forward as they walk. The device processes the environment in real time, adjusting and providing cues to support safe, autonomous travel.

Early Feedback and Real-World Testing

Early users have highlighted how intuitive Glide feels, especially for those who are already familiar with other mobility tools. That said, some note that the interaction model—being guided rather than fully leading—takes time to adjust to.

The real advantage comes in more complex environments: busy intersections, new indoor spaces, or navigating around construction zones.

The device’s ability to interpret and communicate changes in terrain or unexpected barriers helps reduce cognitive load, particularly in unfamiliar settings.

Product Status and Availability

Glide is currently available for pre-order with an expected launch in late 2025. Pricing is set at $1,499, with a discounted early price of $1,049, and a $20 monthly subscription that includes software updates and support.

The team at Glidance has emphasized ongoing collaboration with the visually impaired community as the product moves toward commercial release.