My name is Engin. I work as an Accessibility Specialist at a Turkish technology company. Previously, I spent seventeen years as Director and teacher at Boğaziçi University’s Technology and Education Center for the Visually Impaired (GETEM). I studied psychology and psychological counseling at Boğaziçi University, completed my master’s in cognitive psychology and my doctorate in adult education. I continue my academic career by teaching at Boğaziçi, MEF, and Marmara Universities.
Independence: A Matter of Identity
When I think about what defines me, independence is one of the first things that comes to mind. Just as some people identify themselves as “Turkish,” “Muslim,” or as being from a particular city, independence is my own declaration of identity. The feeling of being able to do things on my own — using a computer, going outside, catching a bus, running errands — I want that feeling woven into every moment of my life. Being able to move through the world without relying on others, without the nagging worry of “Will someone be able to take me today?” — that means everything to me.
It stretches across a wide spectrum, from reading a book to picking up my own meal at a hotel. In short: the freedom to get from point A to point B entirely on my own.
Assistive Technology: "We Were Always Chasing Innovative Solutions"
My relationship with technology goes beyond simple curiosity — it’s a natural extension of my pursuit of independence. For years, I’ve been researching and testing cutting-edge solutions in this space. Back in 2008–2009, when Nokia phones were still the norm, we were already using navigation apps like Navigon. Even before that, long before GPS, we were using primitive apps that estimated our location based on cell towers over GPRS, just to mark where we were. Today, my phone has a folder called “Navigation” packed with everything from WeWALK to Google Maps.
The WeWALK Experience: The App, Public Transport, and "Getting the Start Right"
When it comes to WeWALK, it’s the navigation and app experience — more than the hardware of the cane itself — that stands out for me. WeWALK’s biggest edge over mainstream mapping apps is that it was built specifically for people with visual impairments. When you start navigation, instead of vague instructions like “Head north,” it gives you precise, intuitive directions like “Turn right at your 3 o’clock.” That’s a genuinely game-changing feature.
Second, the public transport integration is still unmatched. Audio announcement systems on buses don’t always work — and they’re not available in every city. WeWALK reads out approaching buses while you’re at the stop, and then alerts you to the next stop during the journey. The fact that it can cut through whatever music you’re listening to and deliver that information in the moment is invaluable to me.
Finally, the way it gives clock-position directions as you approach your destination, combined with recent updates that let you navigate entirely by voice without ever taking your phone out of your pocket — those are what make WeWALK indispensable.
Smart Cane 1 to 2: A Story of Growth
Honestly, the first version of the WeWALK Smart Cane didn’t work well for me. The touch features were clunky and impractical. But here’s the thing: you can’t have a second version without a first. To build a great product, you need to ship something imperfect, learn from it, and grow.
The second version addressed those shortcomings. The touchpad was replaced with physical buttons, making control far more intuitive. New features like compass mode were added, along with the ability to navigate by voice without touching your phone. While the overhead obstacle detection isn’t something I personally find essential, the navigation improvements have been genuinely useful.
A Final Word: Move First
Before I talk about technology, here’s what I really want to say: Get out there. This doesn’t happen from behind closed doors.
Yes, there will be potholes and poles in your way. There will be hard moments, and sometimes you’ll fall. But remember: you can’t pick yourself up without falling first. Falling is part of life.
Independence isn’t a destination — it’s something you rebuild for yourself, every single day. Technology can be a powerful tool in that process, but it’s still a person who takes the step.
What matters isn’t the outcome — it’s the journey. I know how complex and layered a process it is to develop these products. A truly good accessibility product only matures through user feedback. I saw that clearly in the leap from WeWALK’s first version to its second.
My hope is that the momentum on the navigation side keeps going with the same determination. More precise initial positioning for urban routing, more standardized and reliable transit data across cities, a smoother voice command experience — these are the things that will take the product to the next level.
Because accessibility isn’t a “feature” — it’s an ever-evolving process. And when you have a team that walks alongside its users, progress is inevitable.
After all, the name says it all: WeWALK — we walk together!
