Sonic is a shoe concept for visually impaired people. It was developed in a module at the ZHdK. The focus of this module was on researching, conceptualizing and designing with various AI tools. AI was used to create a persona, work out the USP and formulate shapes, surfaces and renderings. It accompanied me during the whole design process and supported me in finding ideas and shapes.

The shoe works with ultrasonic waves. These are emitted, hit different obstacles and return to the shoe. This gives the shoe an approximate picture of the surroundings with possible sources of danger and obstacles – similar to what a bat does. The information from the surroundings is converted into vibrations and thus made perceptible to the wearer. The entire technology is contained in the strips on the outside of the shoe. These also give the shoe its characteristic design. The electricity is generated by the walking movement and the associated frictional energy.