Shoes are usually something we barely think about. We put them on, walk out the door, and trust them to protect our feet. But one new design was created to do something far more unusual. The InnoMake Smart Shoe uses sensors and electronic technology to help its wearer detect obstacles ahead.

The shoes were designed especially as an additional source of awareness for people with visual impairments. Ultrasonic sensors scan the area in front of the wearer and can detect objects several meters away. When something enters the path, the system processes the information and sends a warning through vibrations or sound.

At first, it sounds simple enough. But the real question is what happens when the sensors suddenly detect something directly ahead—and the wearer has only seconds to react.