The World's First Shoe-Mounted Haptic Navigation System: ASHIRASE

Ashirase, Inc.

Navigation you can feel through your feet

Empowering Independence: ASHIRASE Expands Your Horizons from Daily Commutes to New Adventures.

ASHIRASE is a revolutionary haptic navigation system for people who are blind or are visually impaired, delivering intuitive guidance through gentle vibrations via shoe-mounted devices.

Traditional voice navigation requires users to split their attention between navigation prompts and environmental sounds, which can be mentally exhausting and less than ideal for safety. By providing haptic cues through the feet, ASHIRASE allows users to focus their hearing entirely on situational awareness, significantly reducing the cognitive load and stress of walking. Designed to complement white canes or guide dogs, ASHIRASE provides precise directional guidance and distance feedback through vibration.

Whether traveling to new destinations or navigating unfamiliar streets, ASHIRASE instills the confidence and security needed to go anywhere.

Intuitive haptic navigation

The Mechanics of Hands-Free Navigation: How ASHIRASE Guides You

Using motion sensors embedded in devices attached to both shoes, ASHIRASE detects the user's orientation and communicates the correct path through haptic vibrations. For instance, a vibration on the tops of both feet confirms you are facing the right direction, while a pulse on the right foot indicates a right turn. Variations in vibration patterns and tempo inform the user of upcoming turns and the distance to the destination.
Users can also perform simple stomp gestures by tapping the ground twice with the foot to re-confirm their heading or end navigation.
This allows for seamless operation without ever needing to take a smartphone out of a pocket or bag.

An accessibility-first app

The ASHIRASE App: High-Performance Navigation Made Simple

The ASHIRASE smartphone app combines advanced features with an easy-to-use interface.
Users can prioritize routes with fewer turns or use the My Routes feature to save and revisit paths where they feel most comfortable.
Beyond searching by address or facility name, the app leverages AI to suggest interesting spots and provide visual information through image recognition. It offers deep customization, allowing users to adjust vibration intensity and configure specific audio alerts for intersections, railway crossings, or nearby facilities to suit their personal walking style.
Designed with an accessibility-first approach, the app is fully compatible with screen readers and features a simplified navigation flow, ensuring a stress-free experience for everyone.

1. Attach / 2. Set / 3. Walk

Simple 3-Step Setup: Real Stories from Empowered Users

Getting started with ASHIRASE is effortless. 1. Attach the device to your footwear, from sneakers to dress shoes. 2. Set your destination in the app. 3. Tap Start and follow the vibrations. It is that simple.
Our users are already experiencing the difference: The vibrations give me peace of mind. I finally have the courage to try new places, and the joy of arriving on my own is incomparable. Another shared: I can go more places without extensive pre-trip planning. That constant anxiety of whether I can make it has simply vanished. To match your personal style, we also offer a variety of colorful device cover options.

URL (Japanese): https://www.ashirase.com/

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