Even though my first experience using WeWalk wasn't the best, I'm certain some of it was user error and I know it will take some getting used to! I can certainly see some of the benefits to it and think it would be most useful to those who frequently find themselves hitting their heads. I would love to see the price point become a bit more affordable and can't wait to see what the WeWalk team does next! Follow @mollyburkeofficial on TikTok for updates on my Smart Cane experience! (We're almost at a MILLION over there!) The first 1000 people to click the link will get a one month trial of Skillshare: @t Like to see accessible tools for the blind? Check out this video next: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-v0Q9pgpJ5fc.html
I've heard that it isn't the best in navigation not just from you. I went on review channels which had the same issue. The pre downloaded map on there is not in north america that one is pretty good. But since its not where you live it has to learn that. However the only thing I could think of for the 12-2:00 is the sweeping motion might be confusing it. That there just needs more work done. But I'm still glad that you were kind and you still want to continue this journey. I would totally be here to watch an update to this in a few months!
hang on... usb cables have DIFFRENT cable ends that go IN to the brick in the US? I thought it was universal that you could use any cable with the same brick O_O.
Molly I definitely agree people can say you can’t break tech it’s it’s just you know there you can just reset it but what people don’t realise is that it’s pretty intimidating when you can’t see and you can’t just pick up a manual with instructions it does suck but as we all know nothing is impossible
I wonder if the clock directions were a little off because you hold the handle a little differently than described, or because you’re left-handed. It was probably tested with almost exclusively right-handed people
I also thought of the cane being a little off, especially if the offset is always 2 hours ahead. However, I did not think of left-handedness. After all, the left hand is the right (as in correct) hand and the right (as in not left) hand is the wrong hand. :)
It almost sounds like it needs to be calibrated. I wonder if there's something the wewalk team can help you do to calibrate it or if some innovation needs to go into that. Like maybe you hold it slightly differently or it's gyroscope is slightly off. It sounds really cool and promising in concept. I hope they can help you or take your input and make it more helpful and accessible
I was curious about the same, she did say "My dad and my boyfriend" just now. So I guess they still are. I wish they would atleast like.. post something together for ones. I get he might not want to be on sosial media maybe? It isn't easy to adapt to. He is far away in Cali still probably. But it dosn't hurt to mention him ones in a while and atleast pretend like she misses him \o,o/
@@annaburtenheim5310 She also doesn't have to put every last thing out there as, realistically, it's none of our business as to how their relationship is going.
I wonder if part of the issue with the “slightly off” directional instructions might be interference from buildings? I know the gps always has difficulty when in a “downtown” type location because the buildings block the signals. Thank you for sharing your experiences and making the rest of us stop and consider others. I have shared a couple of your guide dog videos with my grade 2 students to help raise their awareness of others as well as proper respect for working service dogs. They loved them.
Also, if its using your phone's gps for the directions, perhaps you need both WiFi and GPS on? For some stupid reason, my phone gives me better directions when my wifi is on, regardless of if I'm anywhere near a wifi hotspot.
Technology is getting so advanced; it's about time they innovate it in these areas to help make the world more accessible. There's so much potential here. I can't wait to see you use this more and see what progress they have in store.
This is a statement on health care in the US, but when you said the cane cost $600, my first thought was “Oh, that’s not too bad.” I’ve seen so many pieces of equipment costing thousands and thousands of dollars that $600 seems so small in comparison. Being disabled in the US is EXPENSIVE. 🤷🏻♀️
@@natashaw401 there is a slight difference between the US and Canadian dollar, but that difference isn't enough to make up for how ridiculously expensive health care is in America. For example, my pain treatments are $800 per infusion.
I've heard that a lot of medical equipment like this is upcharged because insurance is expected to cover at least a portion. Compared to a regular one, (quick Google search) that's between $15 and $50, $600 is a lot, and I'm guessing insurance would say you can just use the basic one.
It sounds like this cane is a good start. The app and directions needs to be perfect and they aren't there yet. It also sounds like they need to make a children's size handle for children and children sized adults
Definitely agree on the size. Personally, I don't have tiny hands, but I do have neuropathy that affects my arms and hands, so I would be fatigued and in pain pretty quickly from the size and weight of it.
Molly mentioned the material it was made of was lighter than her aluminum cane, so it sounds like they've already made steps with the weight. That said, the handle could definitely be more ergonomic. I'm sighted, but I do a lot of hiking with hiking sticks. It's a different handhold and different purpose, but the same principle applies. I've found a good rule of thumb is to find a stick with a width that matches my relaxed, curled hand position. For me, that's a diameter of about an inch and a half or four centimeters. Whatever I'm holding can be a tad larger, but if it's close to that size, it's very easy to hold on to and use, even if it's a bit heavier.
"Reduced location accuracy" could possibly be a GPS signal issue, as in satellite signals not being able to trliaterate well. That can sometimes happen in areas with a lot of tall and/or condensed buildings, trees, overhanging architechture, etc. that block or reflect the signals needed to find/direct a person via GPS (and is not necessarily always related to what specific app is being used for navigation).
When the GPS device is calculating a position it gets distance from a number of GPS Satellites in space. If the GPS device cannot "hear" enough satellites the accuracy of the calculation will suffer. Hence all GPS positions have a level of accuracy associated with it. This can be caused by obstacles in the way of the device hearing the signals from space such as trees or buildings or mountains, etc. The accuracy might normally be about 3 feet, but in a reduced location accuracy situation it might drop as low as a few hundred feet, or even a mile. I suspect the device is telling you that the accuracy is not good enough for you to total trust it. For instance it does not have enough accuracy to know what side of the street you are on. I think it is very good that it warns you so that you know how accurate it is in any given area.
Also really depends on what GPS sensor/magnetometer it's using, the phone's or if there is one in the cane that could cause some disparity especially with the "clock directions"
Stuff like this makes Pokemon Go get weird. There's at least one place in San Francisco where I will be sitting perfectly still, open the app to hit a few stops, and watch as my character randomly paces back and forth in a small area.
It's pretty normal to have a USB charger on one end in Europe. I didn't know that in America you're moving fully towards usb-c on both ends. Here we usually have a USB-USB-C pairing.
@@sierrarosie if she has mentioned it before, I haven't seen that video/don't recall it. However, aside from the point that pretty much all new USB-rechargeable tech is going/has gone to USB-C on at least the device end, my immediate thought on the cable was "but... wouldn't it make more sense for it to be USB-C, so no issues of which way up to make the connection? Seems weird to design accessibility tech for blind people and use the more outdated, less accessibility-friendly option." I felt it to be even weirder when adding the point that it was _designed_ by blind people.
When travel is allowed, I'd love a series about mobility and accessibility for the blind in different countries. You could meet up with other blind people from that country and have them show you how they do things and how their country and city helps or hinders them. I feel like the Australian blind people I know do stuff quite differently to you.
I love how you where still so nice about the company even after a bad experience and how you kept a open mind and said I'm going to tweak it and see what happens. I love your channel and you seem so genuine and lovely 💜
It would be neat to see them adapt that to make it JUST the sensor that you can clip onto your already owned cane. Would be cheaper, more accessible to all, and comfortable because you can use the cane your used to!
Just FYI there was some blurring around Molly at one point when she was walking outside (intentional I assume for safety), but then none at all in the next segment where you can clearly see what the streets and buildings look like as she's walking. Letting you know in case you want to edit that segment.
I figured that the blur was to obscure identifiable details of her neighborhood, and it's not blurred when they're not somewhere close enough to home to be revealing of her location.
Videos about the gear you have to assist you are really awesome to see! I'm planning on being an Occupational therapist and you have educated me so much!
@@Matt-oz1dm yep. They don't make phones for women's hands that are usually smaller. Remember how tiny phones used to be? Even my first 2 smart phones were smaller than anything that's on the market right now.
@@Matt-oz1dm I'm sure by the 4th or 5th generation (in 5-10 years) of this cane/tech, the version in this video will look like the mainframe computers of the 1960s, compared to a laptop...I appreciate that they wanted to get this to market as soon as possible to start helping people (and, let's face it, to make money to be able to stay in business), but from Molly's review, it definitely seems like it needs some improvement (and perhaps better instructions & training for users, and maybe even instruction for the user's O&M instructor, so they can help teach their client - in person, & customized for their needs & abilities & location - on this new tech?)
I'm not on TikTok so I'd love to see an update here. I totally get why you do most updates over there, but I think another video's worth of information after using it for longer would be great!
Does it have a left handed / right handed setting? I noticed you're a left habded usee, and was thinking maybe it was telling you 2 when you expected 12 because of the orientation of the handle being offset to the left.
What ever the hand is, it's still wrong direction really. Imagine her holding it in the right arm, 2 would be even more directly to the wall. Also canes are for left and right handed people always. Although you can order custom handles to your cane.
I feel like if you start learning a skill with one hand, it’s easier than the other hand, even if it’s the non-dominant you use first. I’m left handed, but can do some things right handed from the start
I was just thinking thr app maybe had a setting to specify how you hole it. Like how a firbir or apple watch does, so the device knows how to properly interpret the motion.
Hi Leah - this is a great question. Our smart cane does not have a setting for right/left handers, but we wanted to mention that it is completely interchangeable for righties, lefties, and ambidextries (okay, we made the last word up).
I'd love to see more about this cane and/or others, if they even exist. I really like your content Molly. Since I am not blind, I have to confess that I don't know much about how blind people deal with everyday occurences and obstacles and I learn a lot by watching your videos. Keep up the great work and have a nice day. Greetings from Switzerland.
As a sighted person, I really appreciate all your videos. Learning about how important technology is to accessibility, especially as it pertains to aids that I've never thought about having a technological adaptation is so important. Even though this product is something I do not need in my life, I am happy that I now understand the potential it has to help the community. Would love to see updates on your experience!
Kind of a weird comment, but I'm really glad that the youtube comments aren't being mean or accusing Molly of "faking her blindness." The amount of people on Tiktok that were saying "oh, how does she know what colour it is?" or "Why does she need sunglasses if she's blind?" really disappointed me. Some people on there are just toxic and rude as hell
A thought comes to mind regarding the angular mistake, guiding you to two-o'-clock instead of twelve. If you're used to holding the other cane differently, was the smart-cane held straight when it guided you wrong? Then again it's like a sixty degree divergence, so I guess that's something you would have noticed when you were solving for that.
That or I wonder if the sweeping technique is throwing it off. Maybe the technique is different in UK or maybe Molly does wider or narrower sweeps than most and their software adds a certain number of cm to give the direction and doesn't calculate to match Molly's technique. Lots of possibilities!
I feel like it would make more sense to have the sensor around your neck like a necklace or something, it does look pretty bulky and heavy to have to carry.
Considering it was made by blind people for blind people this is probably their preferred option rather than a necklace or it cant hold the tech in a small necklace
I am so happy that you finally decided to make this video! 😍 I have heard wonderful things about this smart cane and the company that created it! 💗 And I would love to see an update on your experience with this smart cane in the future.
I’m so glad they are finally making white canes more advanced. One of my biggest challenges is reading bus numbers and having to depend on the driver or someone else to tell me what it is.
I assume those handles are going to get smaller and lighter really quick, and things like app optimization are also not that hard to come by these days. I guess what I'm trying to say is i have hope for future versions lol
@@jjjemmaaa The grip part could likely be made smaller, though, at the cost of making the device a little longer. (Unless that would mess up the balance? I could be wrong.)
@@corinnsolara9821 I was thinking about that too but I remembered that there's the touch pad. But I guess they could move that up a little and extend the handle so it tapers more and it easier to grip
That’s such a cool technology! I’m sure they’ll hear feedback and continue to improve the device! I would love to see an update 1 to 2 months from now to see if your perspective changed at all ☺️
it seems like a sensor on a pin or brooch you could wear on your chest that connected to an app would be more helpful and wouldn't add weight to the cane.
That's a really good idea, I think maybe they chose the cane handle because it would be more stable and harder to cover up, but I'm sure there's a solution.
this exists. It's called a buzzclip. The angle is wrong. I found it fundamentally unhelpful, and my arms and hair kept setting it off. I haven't tried a we walk, but a cheeper version that had the same kind of sensor setup, I live in a busy city, and didn't find it helpful either. The vibrations from the sensor interfered with the vibrations I feel for with my cane, and the vibrations from my cane interfered with the vibrations from the handle, and it got set off by everything, like someone walking near me, etc. Honestly, all these buzzy obstacle alerters are just a distraction to me,
Such a cool idea! Interested to see further updates. I’m sighted, but I have other disabilities and find innovative disability tech to be such a great and exciting market that so much more can be done with! ALSO: I’m not sure if anyone else has mentioned this but your final description tag for words on screen gives the time stamp “35:51”, but it isn’t an active time stamp since it isn’t an active time in this video. I think it’s meant to be at “29:05” as that is when the associated words are on the video. I hope that’s helpful. 💖
Molly have you ever heard about the strap technology with that though you’re not using the cane at all it’s basically just a strap that you are across your chest and then it detects obstacles waist tight head height although I wouldn’t recommend it and I haven’t used it but I’ve heard of it
Being completely blind with no light perception I’m always interested in any new technology that can help the problem is the cost of the technology makes it Beyond the reach for a lot of us
I completely agree! With the lack of employment in the blind community, it's sad to see aids for us priced so high. I definitely think this tool would be more helpful for those who have less vision verses more!
Hi there! We appreciate your enthusiasm for technology. If you could please send us an email at info@wewalk.io, we would love to get in contact with you about this topic.
For the clock directions, it may because it is exclusively right handed. Since you’re left handed, the handle is flipped the other direction, so maybe it doesnt adjust for that? Just a guess. Im sure its hard enough being blind, and then adding on another kind of minority group with the left hand, must be difficult to find certain items that are safe and usable for both cases.
As a former guard kid that went through many nights of band practice and hearing "last time" or "one more time" 12 times in a row each practice and now that app is doing the same to you but for a completely different reason.. First time?
we love accessibility and innovation for the disabled community! yassss! perhaps the mapping issue is due to the calibration and signal delay. every GPS service ever puts my house on the opposite side if the street and down the street about 4 properties. sometimes the mapping technology is the problem. sometimes the signal delay is the issue. I hope We Walk will work to improve that. You talked about the Uber and walking route being public for safety's sake. Does the We Walk cane have ANY emergency features as is? When I was in college, I often passed a blind woman on the sidewalks between classes who used a cane. I frequently witnessed the same group of rude guys intentionally shove her around and try to disorient her. They would then laugh when she nearly walked into oncoming traffic because she got turned around (I am not a monster, so I helped however I could. I think this cane is a great resource for safety because it can help a person better collect themself after a confusing incident. But I also think a discrete trigger for an alarm would be helpful in cases like what I witnessed on campus. That student could've triggered an alarm to get someone's attention who could help, and it could've silently sent her location info to local police and/or an emergency contact The campus had "emergency blue poles" every so many yards that students could use to set off a loud alarm and blue light siren if they were in danger while they spoke over a speaker with the campus PD. The poles immediately reported the location and began recording audio and video of whatever was happening in the vicinity. I think that a similar concept would really improve the safety and security of the We Walk.
great ideas! I wondered if it could (since it connects to an app/smartphone) call 911 (or the local equivalent), both if directly triggered by the user, and also (similar to the censors in the 'I've fallen & I can't get up' alert things) if, say, it's dropped suddenly, or it senses movement outside of normal use (such as if it was taken away from the user, and thrown, or someone took off with it, moving faster than a blind person normally would) it wouldn't necessarily have to have audio to talk to the dispatcher, but it would need to report its location, I think if the dispatcher doesn't hear anything (or maybe, along with the location, it could 'tell' 911 that it's a blind person's cane), they'd still send help sadly, I'm not sure a siren or similar would help, as some people would be too scared or unable to do anything, or worry about lawsuits, or media exposure, etc
it's interesting to see the differences between canes. here in the Netherlands the cane i use is white with some red stripes around it (i'm legally blind). I never really thought of canes being different everywhere and it's cool to see/know the differences.
A few years ago now, I tried out an Ultracane, which uses ultrasonic waves to detect obstacles above and below waist height & vibrates the handle when it finds something. If I remember correctly, the intensity of vibration changes the closer you are to the object. Interestingly, the hand grip for the Ultracane is what the WeWalk cane manual described, thumb out on the grip and other fingers around the handle, but the Ultracane rep I talked to knew that wasn't a standard grip position. So I have no idea why WeWalk think it is!
It's an interesting concept. I could see this working better as a fitness bracelet type device that you add a tracking sticker or tile type device to your cane. If the stick with this design, then they definitely need to make that handle lighter and more ergonomic. Not only is difficult for small hands, also for anyone who has grip strength issues, arthritis or other hand/wrist pain etc. Would love to see a follow up video Molly.
I've had the exact same problem with blind navigation apps blind square and lazarillo, the directions are off, even more off than you were saying. I'd be walking, and it would say the thing was 200 meters in front to the right, and my O and M was like, actually, its a hundred meters behind to your left. It was just distracting and inaccurate
sadly my sister is both blind and special needs, and it took her a year just to learn how to talk to Alexa, and she still doesn't understand things about it all the time and me or my mom has to help her, so she could never learn to use this even if we had the money. But it's so cool people are making things like this!!!
Just a thought in reference to the safety notifications you brought up I would steer away from a beeping sound as a notification. People have learned to tune out beeps because of how many things use them. Example trucks beginning up, if it could shout fire! People are more inclined to notice since a fire isn't something you can ignore
Hi molly, I used to work at a technology store, and the micro USB is standard for technology that isn’t cell phones. 99% of tech (like headphones, and other smaller stuff is micro USB. :) this is so exciting for you!! :)
Do you feel like it's gonna stay that way? I feel like more and more tech that I get has USB c over micro USB lately. E.g. The PS5 controllers use USB c.
Isn't that something that a cane user can pick up quite well with a basic cane and without any smart features? Please let me know if I'm wrong. :) And of course a heads up could still be nice!
@@tuschba Yes, cane users can readily detect stairs, curbs, and the like with a traditional cane, but only when they actually contact the object while sweeping/tapping with their cane. I think (not an expert) that would provide notice of the step(s) or drop off maybe a metre in advance, probable only a couple of steps for the user. If I understand correctly, the OP is wishing that the WeWalk could detect these obstacles from further away and let the user know that they are approaching a set of stairs before they actually get there, providing much earlier notice than a standard cane. Something like a sighted person looking ahead of where they are walking (advance notice) versus looking down at the ground and only detecting obstacles or changes when they are almost there.
@@nicelliott1175 Right, that makes sense! As a sighted person it would be hard to walk if I could only see a meter or two ahead. And maybe some day a smart cane could let the user know how many steps there are.
I totally agree I prefer GUIDE DOGS over my cane. Because being both deaf blind. I feel more safe with my GUIDE DOGS and more confident. I’ve been a guide dog users for 25 years.
I don’t mean to be rude but I am genuinely curious. How do you go about watching a video when you are deaf and blind? I understand when you are blind you can listen and have someone explain what they see and when your deaf you can watch it but you can’t hear it. Some explanation would be much appreciated.
@@olivia-zzushi You’re not being rude I know you’re curious and that’s totally OK. Because I am happy to explain to you so you can understand. Thank you for asking. I’ve been blind since I’ve been six months old in the hands of my birth mother. Meaning she left me in the car at six months old here in Tampa Florida on Causeway Beach. With the windows rolled up I rolled off of the seat into plastic and I suffocated. And that’s how I became deaf and some learning disability. I started losing my hearing between age 11 years old and 13 years old. Without hearing aids one for each ear I am big D for totally deaf. And with my hearing aids in I am big HH for hard of hearing. So I have to have my phone turned up at 100%. And today my friend she was over visiting with me today and she knows sign language and so she was signing in my hand that’s called tactile sign language to let me know what beautiful Molly Burke was saying and what she was showing. Also from a company called I can connect they purchased me a blue focus 14 braille display that I can link up to my iPhone and iPad. And they also purchased for me A Braille note touch 32 sale. Where I can take notes and do emails and more. Yes there’s a guy from that agency that came down and linked up my blue focus 14 boreal display to my iPhone. And to my iPad . And he taught me how to use it. His name is BAPIN he was born totally deaf. And then he had an accident playing with his brother something happen where I think he shot a baby into his brother by and got infection in both eyes and he is now both deaf blind. And he trained me on both of my braille displays the big one and the little one. If you have anymore questions and is curious please don’t feel shame to ask me. I am in my 50s or close to 50. And I know Molly is in her late 20s so that’s why I’m so sweet and kind to her because I’m old enough to be her mom I have nieces nephews around her age and two that’s older than her. But if you have anymore questions and curious please ask and it’s no problem that you’re always curious. It’s normal to be curious about something you not sure about or don’t know. Sending you lots of love always
@@inekogary8870 Ineko, I am not the person you responded to, but I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your experience with us all! I am about to start school to learn to design things with accessibility needs in mind. Reading about your tools and how your lovely friend helped you interpret this video today was truly helpful information for me, along with being genuinely interesting. You sound like a very kind and friendly person, and I hope you are doing well. 💖
@@inekogary8870 correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Tactile Sign language how Helen Keller was taught? if memory serves me correctly, Hellen Keller was both deaf and blind. Hmm. I'll have to look that up. It sounds like you have adapted pretty well, and you have some hearing left, it sounds like. Again, correct me if I'm wrong.
@@Optomistic3501 Good morning, yes tactile sign language is handover hand sign language just like Helen Keller. I was not born deaf or hard of hearing. But as my hearing continued to go down really fast between the age of 11 and 13. I started learning sign language. And then as a big D. for deaf that’s when I started learning sign language. First day was close to my face. And then when I lost the tiny vision I had close to my face then I started learning tactile sign language handover hand. With hearing aids in each ear I am big HH for heart of hearing. So I still need interpreters at all my appointments and when I go to the GUIDE DOGS school to get new GUIDE DOGS. They will do handover hand sign language called tactile tactile sign language like Helen Keller. What a difference is with Helen Keller I believe she only did the alphabet where I do not just do the alphabet I know words to the alphabet.
It’s surprising to see there isn’t more innovation towards something that can actually help or save blind cane users. We create all sorts of other tech just for entertainment but this is actually helpful and necessary. With more time and people high tech canes can be the slick and small cane that people usually use so it doesn’t feel like you have to relearn to hold something. I hope more energy goes towards this ❤️
I thing you misspelled “money.” Tech people would love to develop devices for blind or other disabilities. It probably requires most companies to get their non-profit divisions to sponsor devices.
The thing with the size of the handle - I think they should make a version for smaller hands. Just read the book "Invisible Women" and it talked a lot about how many tech companies make devices that are not suited for smaller hands because they mainly focus on the "average male" and that is just one more example of how tech companies tend to overlook the fact that females are a different size and have different needs.
Hey Molly, I just want to thank you for the awareness you've spread on this channel about blindness. I was assisting a girl with blindness at summer camp this past week. You really helped me connect better with her and make her feel more comfortable. Keep up the awesome work!
From UK, I've always been taught the exact same way, index finger down the flat and gripped. They generally say the flat should be pointed up but I never do and I've had O and M since I was 8, now 22, and no one has ever said I couldn't have it tilted the same way you do... and I don't know many people who don't hold their cane like that!!
I'm also from the UK and have been taught the same cane grip of pointer / index finger on the flat part of the grip. I hold my cane more to the side, as holding it towards my belly button hurts my arm. I've been told I have a lazy cane technique lol
I have three different kinds of canes. I have a straight cane from National Federation Of The Blind. And I have a telescopic king that collapses like an antenna from THE National Federation Of The Blind they are both all white. And then I have a folding cane that’s right at the bottom with white and a golf grip handle. Which I got from independent living aids so those are my three brand new canes. But I use my guide dog most of the time. The only time I don’t use them or him is when he sick, or there’s a car full of food in the backseat and some food on the front on the floor. And when we having a huge get together with the family. Because there are some people in our family that are scared of dogs. So I just leave my dog at home and then my sister and her husband will put their house dog or their pet in the bedroom with the door closed. They just have a regular dog that’s not a service dog. But my guide dog and their dog get along great together and they are both boys.
About a year ago my son was on a TV programme in the UK called "Click". He has been part of a trial that used a tablet to help him to be more independent. On the same show was a lady trying out that cane. She liked it but had the same problem as you as it directed her beyond the shop she wanted to visit.
Hi Nicky! Thank you for sharing this info. I just wanted to reassure folks out there that if you run into any issues with using our smart cane, that we have a very responsive team who will make sure we get it taken care of. Thanks again for sharing this and have a great rest of the week, Nicky!
I’m wondering if you’re having issues with the clock directions because your dad had your phone and not you? It might be using some of the sensors in your phone
Hi Kita! Thanks for raising this question and we just wanted to share our response. The WeWALK smart cane has a built-in compass, so if you pair your phone with the device, it will start using the compass built inside the smart cane instead of your phone's compass. This gives users the added advantage of being able to place their phone inside their pocket, jacket, purse, etc. so that they can continue getting guided navigation using the cane's built-in compass. Hope this helps and thanks again for your question!
I have a sort of weird unrelated question. If you were out on your own, and a stranger grabbed your hand and said "run run run" would you trust that person and follow their advice, or would you resist? I'm asking because a while ago I was out, waiting to cross the street when a blind guy with a dog stopped next to me. About that time I saw a car was going to run the red light and there was going to be a crash. There wasn't any time to do anything, so I grabbed his hand and said "run run run" and started pulling him out of the way, just as the cars collided. One of the cars, out of control came onto the sidewalk right where we had been standing. Fortunately the guy didn't resist my pulling him because it was a really close call. If he had resisted we surely would have been hit. Only after the accident did I think how weird and scary it must have been to be grabbed by a stranger without warning and pulled away. I don't know if he heard the crash before it happened. It was really terrifying all around.
I only use the app without using the Cain and there is a way of changing the clock directions, which I hate as well hahaha there’s a thing that says settings and there’s a button that says directions and there you have it hahaha I hope it helps
My first thought was "is it using Apple Maps?" I hear it's gotten more accurate, but I once got hopelessly lost like three blocks from my location thanks to that app. I'm sighted, but have zero sense of direction and wasn't familiar with the area.
Hi Sarah! We developed our WeWALK app for both iOS and Android phones. We're always adding updates to the app which includes continuing to enhance our mapping/GPS navigation to make it as accurate and user intuitive as possible for our users.
That is a shame about the mapping not working, and doesn't sound like user error unless you were supposed to do some sort of calibration thing. I would love to see updates--- and perhaps WeWalk will update their software, since far better technology absolutely exists! Though, about adding the red markings to the cane... Seems like that should be an easy fix?
My friend just recently got this. She is nearly fully blind. She has always used a guide dog but her current one is 10 years old and she can't get another one any time soon. Hope you like it Molly!
How's her experience been so far? I definitely think it's a tool that's more useful to those closer to fully blind, I don't think those with quite a bit of remaining sight would benefit as much! Hope she's enjoying it!
@@MollyBurkeOfficial she finds it quite helpful cause her since of spacial awareness is little to none. She started using it at school and loves it compared to her traditional cane cause she was scared to hit people. Which would you prefer? A normal cane or the more tech centered cane?
@@Ace-jk8mq Ah, that makes sense! I'd say I have very good spacial awareness so in that sense it's not AS helpful for me. It's hard to say which I prefer yet, because I need to keep using the WeWalk and really get used to it more. It's hard to compare a tool I've been using for YEARS to a new, high tech version, ya know?! I definitely think it's the type of mobility aid some will love, and some will feel no need for... all personal preference!
@@MollyBurkeOfficial I completely understand. Best way I can relate is mobility aid. I've used braces all my life. Never used a cane until a few months ago and it still feels so weird!!
@@MollyBurkeOfficial you may want to check out the Sunu Band. Similar concept that gives vibration feedback but it looks like a watch band and also can be used with a cane for half the price.
Some devices (some Bluetooth speakers and some Bluetooth head/earphones) still have micro USB. My earphones has a MicroUSB charging cable and I got them last summer.
My new phone has USB C as the end that goes into the phone. The other end is still just a regular USB that can be plugged into a charging brick, USB port on a computer or USB port on an outlet. Any charging brick should work just fine with that cord
I'm 4'10 too and the struggle of being too tiny for many mobility devices is real. I need pediatric height for canes and walkers! It can make it super difficult to find ones that work.
Molly I loved hearing you mention your dad so many times! I've watched you for a few years now and especially through the pandemic and I know how much you and your mom missed your dad so it makes me so happy to hear you guys all together and spending time together! Also awesome to see him helping you navigate things and get your cane set up with you since we usually always see your mom!
@@susanrooney8410 uk guide dogs are named at birth. Each litter is named beginning with the same letter of the alphabet. So Guide dog Molly has litter mates all named beginning with M. The litter born before were named beginning with L, the litter afterwards named beginning with N
@@julia2jules Cool, thanks for letting me know. Its interesting how every school/country does it differently isn't it? Do you know if they recommend you don't change the dog's name after you get it - I presume it might be because they are quite old/years of training by the time you actually get the guide dog.
@@susanrooney8410 recommended not to change as dog is usually around 2 years old. However like pet dogs they often acquire shortened or rhyming names during training and then during as a working dog.
I am not blind, but I feel like if I was one of the scariest things would be crossing a street. I feel like this we walk could help with sensing cars when crossing a street. I would love for it to be more accurate. I am planning on getting my masters degree in orientation and mobility and I have been learning Braille for 5 years and ASL for any deafblind people I meet in my career
🍚🍣🍋🥢 • *For Molly* • 🥢🍋🍣🍚 Sending you some virtual Salmon sashimi today. I alternate between dipping in the traditional wasabi + soy sauce & squeezing fresh lemon or lime on the delicious salmon. Plus rice, of course.
Hi Molly. I would love to see a follow up video of you using the cane. I’ve been actually thinking about getting those cane. I will have to agree though that some of the points that you bring up about the cane are spot on to watch some of the things that I would like to see added to the cane or improved. Especially since I am legally blind and hearing impaired
I was shocked she said that a usb end is “outdated” I don’t have a lot of new or expensive devices but I think for most people a usb is still very common
I think she means microUSB are becoming outdated for USB 3.0. USB 3.0 cables are the same on both ends or are directly attached to a plug, so if molly has mostly stuff that uses USB 3.0 technology, she might not have many original USB ports. USB 3.0 also tends to be more accessible to blind people because they can be plugged in either way, unlike USBs and Micro USBs that have a correct and incorrect way to be plugged in, which might also be why Molly might have more tech with this new cable type.
@@katvelyte I get what you mean in terms of the USB 3.0 being more accessible because it can’t be put in the wrong way and this being a product for the blind. I felt like her main point was that she didn’t have any regular USB blocks or ports because she uses all USB 3.0. I get how that annoying for her that she’s going to have to get an adapter but at the same time I think they are appealing to the mass market. I know that I don’t have any USB 3.0 so if I was blind and bought this cane I would have to get a special adapter. I was just saying that in my opinion way more people have at least one USB port than people who only have USB 3.0
She was talking about microUSB ports, not usb in general? The regular usb end isnt what she was calling outdated. She was calling the microUSB end a little outdated, since most electronics in the US have switched to the USB-c port. Most of these still have a regular USB port on one end, and the USB-c port on the other end instead of the microUSB
@@katvelyte i guess but honestly it shouldn't matter because she said out loud what she meant? She specifically said USB-c and microUSB when she was talking
I'm 5'11 (at least that is what internet told me, I usually use metric system). I'm not blind but visually inpaired and when I don't wear glasses or contacts sometimes I hit the tip of my head with road sings or hanging shop signs etc, so I can really imagine this cane being usefull for tall people. Also, if it is interesting for anybody, in my coutry canes for bilnd are alternatetry white and red
Hi Molly Mel again, regarding the WeWalk Cane, I sadly don't have this. But, I heard of how assistive it is, being 20/200 in my right eye with tunnel vision, I tend to veer off to the wrong direction alot, or I would have a sighted human guide, as I have seasonal allergies, so I can't have a guide dog. This cane is interesting, I like how it enables you to walk on your own. Very innovative.
I think the reason why it’s still USB is because other than newer iPhones the uk is pretty much only using usb, only the end that plugs into the device is moving towards USB-C. Also can you get your dad to paint the end red so it’s recognisable in your country
My friend has a WeWalk cane and was so psyched about having more freedom and she hates it. 😅 She says its a waste of $600, especially after it walked her into a street when navigating with no warning.
This product clearly has some really great potential. I feel like if the company was willing to partner with people like Molly to work on better physical designs and maybe if they could get someone from Apple to help with the app this could really be a major game changer for canes like this!
I think it's really great that you are honest about your experience. First times with new technology are hard and maybe it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but you presented a really interesting option for blind people. Also, your last opinion on safety, like the live location and the whistle for getting attention, sounds super cool and useful!
Going back and watching a new video every day. This was the one I chose to watch today - and btw: When you demonstrated how you were taught to use the traditional US cane, that's how most (if not all) of the cane users used theirs as the camp I worked at in the mid 90's.
The magnet on my watch band will screw with GPS directions. I too had issues with the WeWALK app clock directions and then all the sudden it started working correctly. When I moved my arm away from the phone.
Hi Molly can you do the shorts on RU-vid possibly because I would love to see more of these in your tick-tock‘s but for people who don’t have tick-tock‘s anything you can’t watch them and then you could do short for the people like me
So in college my disability advisor was blind which by the way was super cool having another disabled person be my disability advisor because one of my biggest insecurities with self advocacy is understanding when I'm being honest with my ability and when I'm just being lazy and down on myself and having someone older who also has legitimate limitations, although I'm autistic and not blind, it did help a lot. Anyways, not the point. The point I was going to make was that one time I asked her what was the difference between a dog and a cane cause like she uses a cane and this other guy who came into the student lab uses a cane but this girl used a guide dog. And I think she kind of explained why some people prefer a dog to a cane but I just remember she said "I decided to use a cane because I don't have to feed a cane and I've already raised three children".
though you didnt use it for this purpose, i would have thought one if the advantages of this cane in our current pandemic could be its ability to detect people ahead or beside you so you could keep a Covid safe distance from them. example in lineup to ATM machine etc you could keep distance but then move up when the vibrating stops. does it give you that ability i wonder?
She has over 1 million subscribers, but yet half the world that I have ran into act like they don’t know crap about blind people and think we live under a rock. Lmfao
I wonder if the cane was being held correctly. It may be saying 2 o'clock because it's at an angle it isn't meant to be at? That's kind of a bummer because it sounds really useful.
my friend who has been very legally blind for years with rp said canes were always whie and why did they add red. I use a cane as well. :o My cane is all white. We're in the usa. :)
Molly, your note about having small hands and it being harder to grip is so, so relatable. I'm sighted and don't use a cane, but I absolutely notice the difference in size between stuff like controllers, utensils, etc. I even have some trouble in my current job in shipping, lifting (usually fairly heavy) boxes that are small enough to grip in one of my hands but large enough that it's an uncomfortable and sometimes painful pull on my wrists. Neither of the two guys on my team have that issue, but I make do.
same here, I'm almost a foot taller than Molly, but I'll bet my hands aren't that much bigger, that chunky handle (along with the weight she reported), gave me anxiety, just thinking about having to hold it - they definitely need to work on shrinking the tech, and trying to make differently shaped handles to accommodate more people
the 'direction' issues might be tied to the device's "map settings" - if its sensors are set to a 'low accuracy' setting, it might not realize that you're standing beside the wall that IT thinks is 10 feet away... it's like tunnel vision (bad pun, sorry!) - if it's not right in front of you, it's not there...
