“The shoes are a natural extension of the human body,” Krispian Lawrence, 30, co-founder and chief executive officer of the company, told WSJ. “You will leave your house without your watch or wristband, but you will never leave your house without your shoes.”

Ducere had initially developed the shoes — with the name Lechal, which in Hindi means “Take me along” — to help the blind who rely on walking canes.

While the cane can help the visually impaired detect obstacles, it cannot tell them which way to face or when to turn. “That’s where we come in and fill the void,” Lawrence said.