My review of glidance.

By Brad, 6 November, 2024

Forum
Assistive Technology

I've used Co-pilot to clear this review up a bit and make it more readable.

What's this Glide thing and why would I want one?

The Glide from Glidance is a small device that uses sensors to help you navigate. You can find out more on their website. Keep in mind their videos have pre-recorded audio because they didn't have a prototype back then.

What does it look like?

While I didn't spend a lot of time examining the device, I can tell you this: it's small and has a handle designed to fit comfortably in one hand. Your hand curves over the handle, and it's nice to hold.

According to my friend Amin, it has another handle near the ground so you can carry it when you don't need to use it. The wheels are similar in size to those on a pram or stroller—not huge, but not tiny either.

What does it feel like when using it?

Using the Glide feels smooth. You can hear the motor, but in the first version, it will be very quiet. When you walk with it, it feels nice and guides you around obstacles. For example, when it encountered a wall, it gently guided me away for safety reasons.

Honestly, if you can, I'd highly recommend checking it out. This review won't do it justice. I'm going to try to get the RNIB to have a test unit once it's out, and I recommend you ask your local blindness organizations to do the same.

I feel like this is a groundbreaking device that needs to be experienced to be truly understood.

Maps

Maps won't be available at launch, but the team expects to have them working with the device within six months of the launch date.

Final thoughts

According to my friend Amin, you'll be able to connect it to use VoiceOver through Bluetooth, and Soundscape will be integrated into the device. I've pre-ordered the unit and am very glad I did, as I truly believe this is a game-changer.

Options

Comments

By Brad on Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 06:34

There's not really much you can say, this is one of those things that you have to check out to truely get a feel for it.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask and i'll do my best to answer.

By Brian on Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 06:34

Thanks for taking the time to check it out and report back. 🙂👌

By SeasonKing on Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 06:34

A. What are the materials used? This goes for everything, base, handle, and the grip.
B. The teliscoping handle/cane, when you extend it to your prefered hight, does it lock in to that hight by twisting, like how it is for lot of normal teliscoping canes?
C. When you said you felt motors vibrating, did the device actually propelled itself, or motion was solely based on your physical push to the device?
D. What was the wait like? For 2-3 mins, is it okay to heft it around the flights of stairs and such?
E. Did you test navigating in crowded areas? Was the device able to navigate busy footpaths, shopping areas and such? If someone accidentally steps on it, would it break?
F. How was the haptick feedback, and the speaker output? In a busy streats with lot of cars and such, would you be able to here this device without earphones?
G. Were you able to over-power the device in situations, say it's guiding you towards left, but, you want to go to right for whatever reason? I know you make the choise initially, but, once you select 1 direction, what if I want to change my choise?

By Brad on Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 06:34

I don't know the answer to most of these questions, I didn't go into that much detail when checking out the device but i'll do my best in answering what i can.

What's it made of: I can tell you that the device has plastic wheels,, and at the moment the device seams to be made of very hard plastic, with the stuff inside being made of motors and sensors and things like that.

The handle: when it comes to the handle, the guy had to raise it for me, I'm not exactly sure how he did it but I do know that I was holding it while he raised it, so I'm assuming he did something at the bass of the stick part of the handle, but could be wrong.

Walking: The way the device works, you can walk at your own speed, so I felt the device gently correcting my path,.

The guy had to control it using an app on his phone in the first part of this demo, if I knew I was allowed to try it for a bit longer I would have asked more questions but at the same time, I wanted as many people to try it as possible so don't feel bad that I rushed it a bit.

When I walked with the guy, you could feel the machine gently making sure you didn't vear to the right,, something I do a lot, so it felt like a bit of a tugging ssensation, it wasn't harsh but you'd notice it, again, keep in mind this is a prototype so the sensation could be even smoother when using the real thing.

Oh, when you have to turn around and do a UTurn? It felt lovely and smooth, there's no jarring with this thing at all.

In the free roming mode where the sensors took over, it was able to navigate me through a croud of people but I only had about 3 or so minutes with this thing.

The weight. I didn't try lifting it because the guy said that I needed to be gentle with it as it's a prototype but They're aiming for about 6 to 7 pounds but are thinking of making it a bit heavier as they've found that in testing the people prefered to feel the ground like with a cane. I'm fine with it being light personally but I'm ok either way.

Outside testing: I wasn't able to test it outside but you do get a 30 day testing piriod and can get a full refund.

Haptic feedback: I didn't get to try the haptic feedback in the handle and for me at least, there was no voice output stuff, according to my friend AMin, he got to hear it but I don't know what it said, i'll ask him to make a reply here as he went into much more detail than I did when testing it.

Correcting the device: I don't know if you can correct the device, it's meant to take you on the safest path around thing so I don't know if they'd let you do that.

I'd recommend writing to them using the following email address: gliders@glidance.io

By SeasonKing on Friday, November 8, 2024 - 06:34

The glide team is doing an impressive job of developing an assistive device from scratch, with such a deep community engagement. It's almost as though they are showing the potential customers, here's a product, what improvements would you like and going back to drawing board. Rince and repeat, and that seems like a solid strategy to win.
This is why I feel this might be successful and perhaps game changing.

By Brad on Friday, November 8, 2024 - 06:34

For those that can't try it, i'd highly recommend once the device is out, calling your local blindness place and asking them if they can get a unit for those who'd like to test it.

They'd probably not be willing to pay for the AI but that's ok, they can test the walking and obstical avoidance features.

By gailisaiah on Saturday, November 9, 2024 - 06:34

How would this do in traffic?

By Brad on Saturday, November 9, 2024 - 06:34

I've not tried it but from what I understand, once you come across a road you want to cross Glidance brakes, then once you hear there's no trafic or you think it's safe to cross you press a button on the handle and are able to do so.

You have control over the unit in that case, I believe it still will keep you safe, it's justa safety feature to allow you to listen out for cars.

Kepe in mind that this is all hearsay and that things can change for the first release.

By kool_turk on Saturday, November 9, 2024 - 06:34

How does this handle train platforms, specifically the gap between the train and the platform?*.

I know some places have tactile bumps before you reach the edge, but let’s be honest, not every station has them.

With a cane, it's easy to feel when you’re approaching the edge. How would this device manage that situation?

By danno5 on Sunday, November 10, 2024 - 06:34

In the demo I had the other day, I was told that the current version will handle it the same as a step, so it will stop before you get to the edge, you'd then need to lift it up to get it on.
Another thing was that although they're still working on how they can get it to work out the gap between the platform a lot of people have told them they'd still like to carry a white cane with them for those exact situations, which I personally feel I'd probably do as well, because with the gap, you're always better off if you can measure that yourself I feel.

By Brian on Sunday, November 10, 2024 - 06:34

Am I understanding this correctly, that the handle can be raised or lowered telescopically? Do we know how small the handle can get? Also, did Brad say there was a grip at the base of the model for carrying purposes?

Thanks in advance. 🙂✌️

By Lee on Sunday, November 10, 2024 - 06:34

Brian, as a founding member we get surveys. One of these was how small do you want the device to be. Basically, it was agreed that when the handle was down it would fit under the seat on a plane. So not sure how big a gap that is but it is probably quite small. and yes a 2nd fixed handle should be there to pick the thing up.

By nk1229 on Sunday, November 10, 2024 - 06:34

Reading through this I just had one reoccurring thought. This sounds like a sad attempt at creating a robotic guide dog. It appears that this device mimics some of the same advantages of having a dog, but does so in a cold mechanized manner. It was said that the device is approx. 6 or 7 pounds. That is going to be annoyingly heavy to lug up flights of stairs or into train cars. I will stick with my loving and alive dog guide. Hahahahaha

By Brad on Sunday, November 10, 2024 - 06:34

Some people don't like dogs, like me for example, so this will work out splendidly for us.

By Lee on Sunday, November 10, 2024 - 06:34

6 or 7lb is heavy? What do you do with a suitcase? that can weigh 50lb. So it isn't for you fine but actually this could be the biggest mobility aid that we have ever seen and for me I'm quite happy to give it a chance.

By mr grieves on Sunday, November 10, 2024 - 06:34

Does this mean that the subscription is only required for AI features? So you can use it without a subscription but you just can't do everything.

I think this sounds amazing and your comments were really interesting. One thing that does worry me a little is how reliant it is going to be on an internet connection. My Meta Ray-bans often complain about not being able to access the internet. That's ok if I'm just asking a description of what's around me, but less good if you are reliant on it to get around.

I'd also be curious to know how much data it uses if it is constantly online.

I've got to say, though, that the more I hear about this the more impressive it seems. It feels so much more ambitious than any other mobility tech I've heard about. And the way the company is engaging with actual customers is fantastic.

By Travis Roth on Sunday, November 10, 2024 - 06:34

Reading the train platforms comments, I was just wondering: how do guide dog users handle the gap? I've not had a guide dog and the problem seems similar? Does the guide dog user also carry a cane to scope out these areas?
I am eagerly awaiting being able to take it for a walk. And yes I'll be taking my cane along at least on the first trip

By Lee on Sunday, November 10, 2024 - 06:34

Hi,

Regarding internet. The internal workings have been designed so that even if you lose a signal i.e on the underground the sensors will guarantee that you won't fall down a hole or off a platform and will still guide you round obsticles. Just the map type functions would not be available until you get the signal back. In terms of canes, I spoke to them about this and they intend to have some kind of clip or something on the side so you can attach a folded cane to it just in case you need it.

By mr grieves on Sunday, November 10, 2024 - 06:34

Ah OK, so that's the free roaming mode or whatever they call it? I think it would make sense if you could download maps onto the phone to use. Maybe that will come later. It does worry me a bit if I am out and suddenly I lose internet and I was relying on it to navigate me somewhere.

I definitely like the idea of being able to attach a cane to the side of it.

By Brad on Sunday, November 10, 2024 - 06:34

I can't promice anything but I believe there's an email address in this thread here somewhere.

The maps are going to be things like google maps and stuff like that, not something on the device or phone. Personally I think having a download of a map you're going to use would be useful but I'm not to worried at the moment.

The free roming mode is interesting, it will help you avoid obsticles but I think that's as far as it goes.

Again, keep in mind this is all the info i have about a prototype, things wil change in the next 6 to 8 months or however long it is.

By Brian on Sunday, November 10, 2024 - 06:34

I have only had limited experience with trains, but when I had my guide dog, I could always tell the gap by my dog's positioning and movement while boarding or Disembarking from a train. That may sound weird, but if you have ever worked with a guide dog, you will understand.

By Lee on Monday, November 11, 2024 - 06:34

If you have any suggestions you can mail direct to gliders@glidance.io.

By Kevin Shaw on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 - 06:34

I wrote a review of driving Glide back in June. I did have a chance to fondle version 2 of the prototype at the demo.
The body of the unit itself is made of metal. The texture was matte and the metallic shell was quite strong, so not something that could easily be dented if bumped by something. The body itself was about the size of a can of paint, maybe a bit bigger.
the handle was a hard plastic with the column of the handle being metallic, similar to what you would find on fancy luggage, but much higher quality. there is a button in the column that when pressed, allows you to raise and lower the handle to your height of choice.

the wheels felt like tricycle wheels in size and were more like discs rather than having spokes like a bicycle.

There are a number of principles that are being adapted from the automotive industry to the mechanics of Glide which is nice to see.

By mr grieves on Saturday, November 16, 2024 - 15:34

I was just having a look around the Glidance site. I knew you could get a 30% discount on Glide by pre-ordering by the end of the year. I hadn't appreciated that you also get a discount on the subscription - in that it is $20 a month locked in for the life of the device, as opposed to $30 a month (estimated) if you don't pre-order.

I also see you can buy 1 or 4 years subscriptions up front and save a bit more there. I'm not sure if you carry on paying the discounted subscription after that time.

I was thinking if the initial price was $1800 (or £1400 in UK) and it had no subscription I would probably think that was reasonable for what you get.

I think my main reservation is whether I would use it enough to justify the cost. I think day to day dog walking is going to be better with a cane. There's just no need to introduce Glide to the mix, and I think it's better to maintain some cane skills. O do really want to try it though. The more I think about it, it just seems almost too good to be true.

By Brad on Saturday, November 16, 2024 - 16:34

I plan on using mine as much as possible.

I'm paying for the 4 year subscription plan.

Cane skills are good but if this takes off and is very smart then they'll not be needed as much.

Can you imagine a blind child/teen walking without a cane and just the glide? I look forward to that day.

Sure the mobility instructors will grumble but let them, as long as these people have good listening skills at roads, they should be good to go.

By mr grieves on Saturday, November 16, 2024 - 17:34

I think it would be a bad idea to rely 100% on tech to get you around. What happens if you suddenly find that your battery on the Glide or your phone has run dry or if it breaks when you are out for some reason. Or you lose internet, or their servers go down. Canes are easy and cheap and if you follow old bear's example you can always improvise. I would be very wary of using Glide only.

In my case my usual thing is to go walk the dogs and the routes aren't that difficult so using Glide just feels a bit pointless.

However, I'm not proud of saying that I am very concerned about going out on my own. The Glide offers me the chance to move me out of my comfort zone a bit more.

I like how they are designing it so that you can attach a telescopic cane to it in case of emergency, of you find yourself somewhere that the Glide isn't working so well. Little details like that show how well thought out this is..

I'd be interested to know how well the Glide works if I am walking with my dogs - for example if I take them into town. Is it going to be confused because it's walking jus tin front of me or to the side and see it as an obstacle?

Anyway I fired a load of questions like that to the email address.

I am tempted to just go all out on the 4 year plan and think of it as a single big purchase without worrying about a subscription in the short term. I'll see what answers I get back, if any.

I showed my wife the recent video and she was immediately hassling me to get it. I think she'd love to get me out of the house more often.

On Double Tap they were also talking about possibly allowing the audio to be routed through the phone. I hope this will work as it presumably would allow you to wear your meta ray-bans and use glide at the same time. Which sounds awesome to me.

By Travis Roth on Sunday, November 17, 2024 - 01:34

I pre-ordered Glide. And I am elligible for the $20 a month subscription as I understand it. When I did the math on the pre-paying subscriptions, the discount was not significant. Possibly less savings than putting the money on interest, at least at the time I calculated it here in the United States. I need more incentive than that to prepay for something that doens't quite exist, such as the big Founders discount I did. Plus I am happy to give them my support, even if it fails. But... I have my limits and pre-paying the subscription is it I guess. haha. I don't know if my musing help you decide; if you're on the fence so to speak I suggest splitting the difference and pre-ordering it and put the rest in a high interest savings account to pay the subscription if it makes it to market.

By Brad on Sunday, November 17, 2024 - 09:34

I see and understand your point. Mobility skills are still needed, oh well :) At least it's not me going through it.

I don't mind putting the money down. When all's said and done, it'll get me out of the house which is the most important thing.

By Lee on Sunday, November 17, 2024 - 12:34

I used to have enough vision to walk around safely. Now that has gone the issue was I never really learnt to use a cane in the correct way. So for me, the two things I can't wait for even if the rest doesn't work is being able to walk down a street knowing I won't bang into anything. Even things like people leaving their car doors open or high up signs will be avoided. If all comes together being able to go to a new place and glide will be able to take me to that pub that everyone has raved about.

By mr grieves on Sunday, November 17, 2024 - 14:34

I'm not sure of your circumstances or where you are in the world, but have you looked into getting some O&M lessons? I doubt it's too late unless you have other issues preventing you using a cane.

None of us know if Glide will fulfil its promise. If it does, it is still a year away, and tech is never infallible. So having some basic cane skills may be useful both in the short term and long-term as a plan B. But also protects you should it not work out as hoped.

I remember when I was losing my sight I was always clinging onto the thing that was just around the corner that would solve everything. So far nothing has really done whatI was after and I feel better concentrating on what is there now not on the promise of things to come.

I'm in the UK and happened to get referred to someone from an eye consultant I was seeing at a local hospital. No one else had cared to mention it to me before. But if I was trying now I would look for local blindness organisations and ask the question.

Sorry if I'm interfering. I realise you are not me but sometimes there is help available but it's just not obvious unless you know it's there.

Not meaning to be a downer on Glide as it has got me pretty excited.

By Lee on Sunday, November 17, 2024 - 15:34

Ye'h in the UK. Been blind all my life and did have mobility training at school. Just never really used it. like riding a bike I can do it but it's just bad habbits wwe can get into. So, with luck this thing will work lol.

By mr grieves on Sunday, November 17, 2024 - 15:34

I have to admit I'm not really following my own advice. I am confident with my cane in some situations but it's a big difference to being out on my own which is something I don't do often enough. This is the promise of the Glide for me. I guess I feel I have very basic cane skills to fall back on in an emergency with it but if it broke down in the middle of town and I was on my own it is still a pretty scary thought.

I suspect you could get a few refresher lessons if you asked for them. I keep meaning to do that for myself.

By Brad on Monday, November 18, 2024 - 05:34

Basic cane skills is a good idea to have in your back pocket, as they, whoever they are, say, but mobility really is lacking here, or at least it is where I live in Ealing. There's just one mobility trainer on the council.

Oh and you've got no chance of someone knowing about voice vista or any of the apps like that.

Stuff like this really isn't looked into enough.

Yes the tech is a year away and maps hopefully will be 6 months after that, but we can still use uber eats and stuff like that to get food, no it's not healthy but it's better than nothing.

@mr g, if I remember correctly you have a partner, right? If so, could you try voice vista and using your cane on a street to try and get around a little bit? I'm ok waiting at home as I have family members around and don't walk that much due to a condission and being a bit over weight, (the glide is going to help so much with that,) but I just thought I'd put it out there.

I understand where you're coming from when you say tech doesn't deliver and I'd completely agree with you apart from the fact I've tried the glidance and love how simple it is to use.

I'd recommend very basic cane training just in case the battery dies but I really do think this will be a game changer.

This won't be like how BeMyEyes was for me in the beginning, basically, ok it's cool that I can take pictures but I can't see myself using this in a day to day situation, I can with this.

By Brad on Monday, November 18, 2024 - 07:34

I don't want to get political on this thread if I can help it but I understand it might not be helped with what I write here.

I asked them now that trump has won the election will that affect the glidance company/product at all.

I hope they respond with something like, who's president doesn't affect our company what so ever but with the crazy laws he's put in place, I honestly don't know. I think there's meant to be these tarufs put in place that mean something like it'll cost more to ship items from one place to another and back again, i'm not from the US so don't really know what i'm talking about but i've heard some crazy things so thought i'd shoot them a quick email to see what happens.

If I get a response; I'll let you know.