At first glance, InnoMake shoes look like regular sneakers, but inside the toe lies a powerful innovation
— a tiny ultrasonic sensor that helps visually impaired people walk safely and independently. Created by Austria’s
Tec-Innovation with Graz University of Technology, the shoes detect obstacles up to 13 feet away.
When a wall, staircase, or moving object is near, gentle vibrations or sound alerts guide the wearer in real time.
Often described as a “parking sensor for people,” it enhances awareness with every step. Users can buy
the full shoes or attach the waterproof sensor to their own footwear.
Co-founder Markus Raffer, who is visually impaired, helped design them from personal experience.
His insight shaped a product that combines empathy with technology, enabling thousands to move with confidence.
Tec-Innovation continues to improve the system, adding AI and camera-based features that create a “foot-level street view” for mapping surroundings live.
InnoMake shoes go beyond functionality — they represent hope, inclusion, and independence.
Each step becomes safer and smarter, proving that innovation can restore freedom and transform everyday life.