See more objects with the tag electronic, line, laser, mobility, navigation, accessory, projection, routine, Parkinson's, guidance, clip-on, visual cue.

Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

2014

  • Work on this object began.

2017

2024

  • You found it!

Path Finder

This is a Path Finder. It was designed by Ashley Bryant. It is dated 2014–17. Its medium is electronic components, printed circuit board, laser, rubber, plastic.

Path Finder is a shoe attachment that provides visual stimuli to help people with unsteady and irregular walking. This is particularly helpful for those with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, who commonly experience “Freezing of Gait,” the sensation of feeling frozen in place. Path Finder projects a horizontal light beam on the ground in front of the user, stimulating them to step forward.

It is credited Purchased by the museum for the exhibition.

  • Saft B-12 Flashlight
  • polypropylene plastic.
  • Museum purchase from General Exhibitions Funds.
  • 1989-103-5
  • Flashlight (USA)
  • chrome-plated metal, plastic.
  • Gift of Barbara and Max Pine.
  • 1993-133-1

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This object has not been digitized yet.

Its dimensions are

L x W x D: 30 × 10 × 7 cm (11 13/16 × 3 15/16 × 2 3/4 in.)

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Access+Ability.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/1158857395/ |title=Path Finder |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=19 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>