Fujitsu Steps Out With GPS Cane Concept
It’s not only about smartphones and tablets at Mobile World Congress. There are robots, too, and augmented-reality glasses and cane technology. Yes, cane technology.
Fujitsu unveiled its concept for a next-generation cane this week in Barcelona. Designed primarily for senior citizens, the walking stick has integrated GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity, and features an LCD display built into the handle to help guide you on your walk.
The idea is for the user to plan a route in advance using a desktop program, which then sends directions to the cane. Once outside, the screen tells you which direction to walk by displaying large green arrows. The handle also vibrates whenever you need to make a turn.
The cane, which is simply called New Generation Cane, can also collect information. It keeps track of how many times the cane is tapped on the ground. It can measure heart rate via a built-in thumbpad on the handle. There are also sensors that measure temperature and humidity.
This data, as well as your location, can then be wirelessly sent to a family member, so they can keep tabs on where you are or whether you need help.
Fujitsu said the cane was built with the elderly in mind, but could also be used by hikers and people with disabilities.
The New Generation Cane is just a concept for now. But the company said the device has received great interest and response from attendees at Mobile World Congress, so it’s going to work to bring it to market sooner rather than later.
RELATED POSTS:
- Google’s Rubin: No Need For Retail Stores
- Andy Rubin: Samsung’s Android Success Mostly About Just Executing Well
- Google’s Andy Rubin on Firefox OS: “In General, I Feel Friendly”
- Viking’s Vision for a Cellphone-Free Future
- Apple Now a Bit Easier to Deal With, and Other Observations From France Telecom’s Straight-Talking CEO
- Asus Tries Another Phone-Tablet Hybrid, This One With Intel Inside
- Visa Taps Samsung for NFC Payment Deal
- Nokia CEO: Windows Phone Line Needs to Still Hit Lower Prices Over Time
- webOS Finds New Life Yet Again, This Time in LG Televisions
- Sony Xperia Tablet Z Set to Make Splash in U.S. This May
- Nokia Adds to the Windows Phone Family With Lumia 720, 520
- With New Windows Phone Models, Nokia Aims to Better Compete on Price
- GM Says AT&T’s 4G LTE Will Replace Verizon Service at Heart of OnStar
- Intel Still Nibbling Around the Edges in Mobile
- Yep, Samsung’s Galaxy S IV to Launch at March 14 Event in New York
- Surprise! HP’s New Slate 7 Tablet Runs on Android.
- Meet Mozilla’s Host of New Mobile Partners
- Samsung Takes Aim at iPad Mini With Galaxy Note 8.0
- What to Expect When You Are Expecting a Lot of News Out of Barcelona
- Mobile World Congress: The Event You Don’t Want to Miss — Or Launch a Product At
- Qualcomm’s New Snapdragon Processor Packs Two More Surprises
