5 Questions with Amos Miller, CEO of Glidance – Center for Data Innovation
The Center for Data Innovation interviewed Amos Miller, CEO of Glidance, a Seattle-based company pioneering an AI-powered intelligent guide to enhance independent mobility for the blind community. Miller explained how Glidance uses real-time data from a high-intensity computer vision system and an AI-powered decision-making platform to interpret complex spaces and guide users through them.
David Kertai: What inspired you to create Glidance?
Amos Miller: I have a background in computer science and engineering and a passion for using technology to improve lives. I am also blind, having lost my sight in my early 20s due to a genetic eye condition.
I noticed that only a small percentage of blind individuals use a cane or a guide dog, while most rely on friends, family members, or others for assistance. This dependence highlighted the need for a new approach, one that integrates technology to provide a robotic solution for independent mobility. That realization led me to develop Glidance.
Kertai: How does Glidance’s AI-powered tool work?
Miller: Glidance is an AI-powered personal robot that helps blind and visually impaired individuals navigate complex pedestrian environments. Unlike a traditional white cane, which detects obstacles through physical contact, Glidance glides on small motorized wheels and uses advanced computer vision, real-time sensing, and AI-driven guidance to proactively steer users safely and independently. Its ergonomic handle, built-in cameras, and lightweight frame ensure a smooth and intuitive navigation experience.
The device gathers and processes real-time data from dynamic pedestrian spaces, such as sidewalks, malls, plazas, or transit hubs, where movement patterns are unpredictable and obstacles frequently shift. Unlike vehicle roads with structured traffic flows, pedestrian areas change rapidly due to constant human activity.
At the heart of the Glide device is its integrated AI model, the Glidance Sensible Wayfinding Platform, which continuously learns from these shifting conditions, allowing it to quickly adapt and reliably guide users through complex environments.
Glide adopts a collaborative approach to navigation. It provides partial autonomy, allowing the user to maintain control and override the device’s direction when needed. This design ensures users can make real-time judgment calls, balancing automation with human decision-making. Over time, the AI learns from interactions, adapting to environments and handling increasingly complex situations. This unique synergy between AI and human intuition sets Glide apart in the assistive technology space.
Kertai: What was the biggest challenge in developing Glidance?
Miller: Our biggest challenge, and greatest innovation, was ensuring Glide remained affordable for the average blind individual.
We integrated off-the-shelf technology with a powerful AI model that operates both on the edge and in the cloud while maintaining energy efficiency. High-performance AI systems typically require substantial computing power, but we needed a solution that runs on a low-energy, compact platform without relying on high-end processors. Our goal was to create a device that functions reliably throughout the day, not just for a few hours, while keeping costs manageable for users. Balancing performance, affordability, and accessibility was a significant hurdle, but we successfully achieved it.
Kertai: How does Glidance’s AI improve the user’s experience over time?
Miller: For many blind individuals, especially those who lose their sight later in life, regaining independent mobility can be a long and challenging process. Learning to use a cane effectively takes years, and training with a guide dog requires significant time and commitment.
Glide significantly shortens this learning curve. We aim to help users start regaining mobility and confidence within an afternoon instead of requiring months or years of training. By providing immediate assistance and ongoing AI-driven adaptation, Glide enables users to move freely and independently much sooner than traditional methods allow. This ability to deliver instant and reliable support profoundly impacts users’ lives, helping them regain autonomy and confidence in navigating the world.
Kertai: What is your vision for Glidance’s future?
Miller: I envision a future where personal robotics play an integral role in daily life, particularly in enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities. I want Glidance to lead this movement and become synonymous with personal robotics in the disability space.
Technology must address human needs, and I strongly believe that individuals with disabilities should lead these advancements. By incorporating firsthand experiences and insights, we can ensure that assistive technology remains truly effective and transformative. I hope Glidance continues breaking barriers and setting new standards for personal mobility solutions, making independence more accessible for the blind community worldwide.
