High-Tech Walking Cane For The Visually Impaired Developed In Chester

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The mobility cane used by the blind and visually impaired has seen some minor improvements over the years, but nothing like what a prototype 'smart cane' promises to do.

It's called the Blindspot.

The white cane has been souped up with 3G and WiFi, and includes a Bluetooth headset.

It's designed to integrate GPS and social media, like Foursquare. The friend you're meeting checks in at a location, and the Blindspot helps guide you there.

"The main part is to help you as a visually impaired or blind person stay as independent as possible.  You can be a social butterfly," says John Calhoun, the computer access technology instructor at the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Chester. "You can lead a very active life without making your visual impairment or blindness an issue for not doing it."

Blindspot includes an ultrasonic proximity sensor to prevent collisions with obstacles on the ground and hanging from the ceiling.

It's the idea -- and thesis project -- of Selene Chew, an industrial design grad student in Singapore.  Chew was honored by the James Dyson Foundation for her work.

She's looking for a company to develop the project.

Calhoun says it's important to keep the cost reasonable so those who need it most can benefit.

Reported by Ian Bush, KYW Newsradio 1060