Your AI mobility companion on your shoulders.

NOA is a revolutionary vest worn like a backpack that guides people with blindness and low vision in complement to canes & dogs. With cameras, a computer, and hands-free operation, it speaks to you to give you clear instructions.

Through audio feedback, NOA identifies obstacles, provides GPS navigation, describes surroundings, and helps locate important things like crosswalks and doors - both indoors and outdoors.

Imagine an AI companion. On your shoulders.

GPS navigation

"In 20 meters, turn right."

Obstacle detection

"beep" in case of danger

AI description

Understand surroundings

Object finding

Doors, chairs, crosswalks...

What is NOA?

NOA stands for Navigation, Obstacle and AI. A real mobility buddy on your shoulders.

Navigation: Get turn-by-turn GPS instructions in bone-conduction headphones on planned or new routes. "In 20 meters, turn right at 2 o'clock."

Obstacle: Detect obstacles day and night, head or ground level with "beeps". Low hanging branches, holes, electric scooters, or traffic signs.

AI: Get descriptions of your surroundings, hands-free, using AI. And find objects like doors, benches, stairs or crosswalks.

NOA works day and night. Its cameras have night vision and can see in the dark. The device has the same field of view as the human eye.

NOA is lightweight (1kg or 2 lbs) and can even be worn on top of a backpack. Batteries last up to 6 hours in continuous use.

A day with NOA

a large picture of Claire wearing a NOA device on her shoulders. The device is black, with cameras on the left side of the chest, a computer on the right side, and batteries behind the neck. It's light to wear, and one can fold it away in a bag easily.

Testimonials

I honestly don't think I have ever purchased anything that has so much potential to be life-changing.

Stuart Beveridge from Seescape

I truly loved it. I talked to some students about what kind of device would be most useful to them. You basically made that.

Alexandra from Birmingham

From all the technologies we have tested, NOA is probably the best obstacle detection system

Stephan from SZBlind, Switzerland

NOA generates on average 77% less triggers than any electronic cane on the market. 92% of users declare that they feel less stress when walking. 97% of users declare that they feel safer. And our community has collectively walked over 3'000km!

NOA is simple to use. The initial training phase takes a few minutes. Most users highlight that the device is light to wear, and comfortable. It's really worn like a backpack. It was actually designed to be worn on top of backpacks. And once you're done, simply flatten the flexible straps of your device and store it in your bag.

NOA is a complement to white canes and guide dogs. It was developed with over 250 beta-testers, low-vision professionals, O&M trainers, and the ophthalmic hospital Jules Gonin in Switzerland. It took biped's team 3 years of research & development and a world-first collaboration with Honda Research Institute to come to life.

Call us +1(512)717-7414

We answer your questions from 9AM-5PM CST

Community-driven

NOA was designed with over 250 beta-testers. We traveled to 19 countries. To understand the problem deep down. To identify challenges. What people tried. What worked and what didn't. And build the best complement to white canes and guide dogs.

We also involved orientation and mobility specialists from the ground up. We designed NOA as a complement, that does not interfere with the white cane technique. We co-designed simple training templates that you can easily follow.

Various pictures of users with NOA on their shoulders.

A group of orientation and mobility specialists attending a presentation of NOA in a room.

NOA is now available

Delivery within 4 to 6 weeks. 49$ per month, or 4990$ once. VA coverage upon individual requests.

Discover Gustavo's testimonial

biped's co-founder, Mael, was recently invited by the Vista Center for the Blind at Sight Tech Global, the leading event for low vision assistive technology. He had the chance to chat with Gustavo, one of the early adopters of NOA. If you have a few minutes, grab a cup of coffee and listen to the conversation!