My Role
Tools Used
Time Frame
UX and UI Designer and Product Designer
Figma, Adobe Illustrator and Canva
5 Weeks (Late Feb - Early April)
GuideMate is a mobile app and IoT-enabled smart walking stick designed to enhance mobility, safety, and independence for visually impaired individuals. By combining somatic design principles with connected digital features, the system offers real-time obstacle detection, GPS navigation, community support, and wellness tracking.
The project originated as part of a somatic design course, evolving through multiple prototypes, from a simple vibration-and-light walking stick to a fully connected digital ecosystem.
Introduction
Our primary objective was to create an assistive technology that:
Improves spatial awareness and mobility for visually impaired users.
Provides multisensory feedback (haptic, auditory, and visual).
Enhances safety and navigation using IoT and GPS integration.
Fosters community and motivation through a companion app with social and health features.
Ultimately, we aimed to transform the walking experience into something safer, more connected, and socially engaging.
Goal
We conducted secondary research on:
Mobility challenges faced by visually impaired individuals.
Existing assistive technologies like smart canes and walking apps.
Somatic design principles, focusing on how the body interacts with multisensory feedback.
Key insights:
Users benefit from vibration feedback that increases intensity as obstacles get closer (similar to a car’s reverse sensor).
Auditory cues provide situational awareness without requiring visual engagement.
Light integration not only aids navigation in dark environments but also signals presence to drivers and pedestrians.
Many users wanted social connection and goal tracking to encourage physical activity
Research
Empathise 🤝
Explored real-world pain points of visually impaired individuals: obstacle detection, nighttime navigation, and social isolation.
Define 📝
Framed the challenge: How might we design a walking stick and companion app that enhances safety, independence, and social well-being for visually impaired users?
Ideate 💡
LED lights for visibility.
Vibration-based obstacle alerts.
GPS-enabled navigation integrated with a mobile app.
A social platform for shared walks and encouragement.
Prototype 🛠️
Low-fidelity: Paper, pool noodles, LEDs, and buzzing sounds.
Mid-fidelity: Added clay base for haptics, Bluetooth connectivity, and speaker integration.
High-fidelity: Designed GuideMate app UI with navigation, SOS alerts, health tracking, and team walk features.
Design Thinking
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Interested in my work? Let's Connect!
Turning Complex Problems into Simple Experiences!!
Harpuneet Bhatia © 2025
Physical Prototype
GuideMate represents an evolution from a simple physical walking stick prototype into a comprehensive digital-physical ecosystem that blends somatic design, assistive technology, and IoT. By integrating vibration, light, and audio feedback, the solution enhances safety and spatial awareness, while GPS and app connectivity support greater independence. Looking ahead, the next steps include conducting usability testing with visually impaired individuals, refining the ergonomics of the physical stick, and enhancing the app’s accessibility features. Future development could also explore partnerships with mobility organizations and healthcare providers to scale GuideMate as a reliable assistive technology in real-world contexts.
Final Impact
Final Prototype
Colour Palette
