Glidance Mobility Device Nearing Launch with Peer-Led Training and Lighter Design

Blind people are giving their own personal experiences of Glidance, the navigation device for blind and partially sighted people, as it is approaching public release.

Michelle Young, an orientation and mobility professional, and early tester Scott “the Kayaker” confirmed on the Double Tap podcast that Glidance, the navigation device for blind and partially sighted people, is approaching public release. The company has refined the hardware, enhanced durability, and outlined a peer-led training model, signalling a significant step toward a third mainstream mobility option alongside canes and guide dogs.

Glidance has undergone almost two years of development since its initial prototype in 2024, evolving from a taped-together concept to a weatherproof, lightweight mobility device with wider wheels, an extendible handle, and improved haptic feedback. Both testers reported that the latest iteration feels “like a real product ready for manufacturing,” according to Scott.

Young noted that Glidance will require user training to maximise safety and effectiveness. “You’re not going to be able just to take it out of the box and know how to use it,” she said. The company is planning a peer-led model, where experienced users will train others, supported by online tutorials and guidance from orientation and mobility specialists.

The device, expected to retail around £2,000 in the UK, aims to become a viable alternative for people who cannot or choose not to use guide dogs. Scott highlighted its potential for real-world freedom: “It’s like having the proactive experience of a guide dog in a machine.” Future software updates are expected to deliver turn‑by‑turn navigation and mapping, which could expand its usefulness in environments such as airports, city centres, and shopping malls.

Resources:

• Glidance Official Website

• ⁃ RNIB: Orientation and Mobility Guidance