What happens when a new mobility tool does more than help you move—when it changes how supported and confident you feel? I had the opportunity to find out when I tried Glide for the first time at the 2026 National Federation of the Blind Convention in Austin, Texas.
I am Cazerny Bussey, founder and CEO of Even Though I’m Blind, Inc. As a blind man, advocate, artist, author, and leader, I pay close attention to technology that can expand independence without taking away a person’s choice, identity, or control. My first experience with Glide was brief, but the feeling it created was immediate.
Watch My First Experience With Glide
Watch Cazerny Bussey share his first experience using Glide at the 2026 NFB National Convention in Austin, Texas.
“I will go everywhere with it. Y’all should get the Glide!”
Cazerny Bussey
The Moment Glide Surprised Me
The National Federation of the Blind held its 2026 National Convention from July 3 through July 8 in Austin. The convention brought blind people, advocates, families, educators, organizations, and technology developers together around opportunity, community, and independence.
When I tried Glide, I did not expect such a short demonstration to create such a strong emotional response. As the device guided me, I felt more than directional assistance. I felt as though I had a guide, a friend, and support right beside me. That sense of support gave me confidence.
This matters because independent mobility is not only about reaching a destination. It is also about how secure, informed, comfortable, and empowered a person feels during the journey.
What Is Glide?
Glide is an AI-powered mobility device developed by Glidance for people who are blind or have low vision. Glidance describes it as a third primary mobility option alongside the white cane and guide dog.
The lightweight device has two wheels on the ground, a telescoping stem, and an ergonomic handle. The user gently pushes it forward while walking. Using cameras, sensors, artificial intelligence, autonomous steering, and braking, Glide is designed to guide the user along a route, maintain a line of travel, identify important targets, and respond to obstacles.
Glide is not a self-driving vehicle that carries the user. The person remains on foot and controls the pace while the device provides physical guidance, audio information, and haptic feedback through the handle.
Key Features Glidance Is Developing
- Indoor and outdoor navigation: Designed for familiar routes and new environments.
- Obstacle and hazard response: Intended to detect and steer around objects, drop-offs, curbs, potholes, and other hazards.
- Line maintenance: Helps the user continue in a purposeful direction without unnecessary veering.
- Target finding: Designed to help locate doors, elevators, stairs, and other useful destinations.
- Audio and haptic feedback: Communicates information through sound and touch.
- Intersection support: Glidance says Glide can help identify crosswalks and maintain direction during street crossings.
- Portable design: The device weighs less than eight pounds and uses a telescoping handle.
- All-day battery: Glidance lists up to six or more hours of active use, with standby time, on one charge.
- USB-C charging: It can be charged from a standard outlet with a USB-C cable.
- Weather resistance: Glide is described as water resistant and suitable for use in rain.
- Software improvements: Over-the-air updates allow features and AI models to improve over time.
Important Practical and Safety Information
Promising technology should be discussed with both excitement and honesty. According to Glidance’s current frequently asked questions, Glide is still being developed and tested with members of the blind and low-vision community.
- Availability: As of July 2026, Glidance says its preorder program is closed and invites interested people to join the waitlist for future availability.
- Price: Glidance currently lists an initial retail price of $1,499 USD. Pricing may change.
- Stairs: Glide is designed to guide a user to a staircase and announce arrival, but the user must carry the device up or down the stairs.
- Balance-support devices: Glidance advises that Glide is not designed to be used with a support cane, walker, rollator, or wheelchair.
- Training and judgment: Every person’s mobility needs are different. Users should follow official onboarding and safety guidance and consult an Orientation and Mobility professional when appropriate.
- Changing specifications: Features, timelines, pricing, and availability can change as testing and development continue.
The Story Behind Glidance
Glidance was founded by Amos Miller, a blind technologist who lost his sight in his twenties. Miller previously worked as a product executive at Microsoft Research and founded Microsoft’s Soundscape navigation app. His lived experience and technology background helped shape Glidance’s focus on independence, freedom, and autonomous wayfinding.
That origin is significant. Inclusive technology is strongest when blind and low-vision people are not treated only as consumers at the end of the process, but are involved in imagining, testing, improving, and leading the work from the beginning.
Why This Technology Matters
Blind people are not a single group with identical preferences. Some people rely on white canes. Some use guide dogs. Some use both at different times. Others may want another option. The real value of innovation is not forcing one answer on everyone; it is expanding the number of meaningful choices people can make.
Glide represents a larger movement toward assistive technology that is intelligent, responsive, portable, and shaped around real life. Its potential is not simply in the hardware. Its potential is in helping people approach unfamiliar spaces, crowded public areas, airports, stores, workplaces, and everyday routes with greater confidence.
My experience was brief, so I am not presenting this as a long-term product review. I am sharing an honest first impression: Glide made me feel supported, and that feeling arrived faster than I expected.
Technology Must Be Accessible, Affordable, and Accountable
Innovation alone is not enough. For mobility technology to create broad impact, it must also be financially accessible, dependable in real-world conditions, supported by clear training, and continuously improved through feedback from the people who use it.
At Even Though I’m Blind, Inc., our mission includes uplifting blind and visually impaired people through advocacy, media, creativity, education, and community connection. We spotlight innovation while continuing to ask the questions that matter: Who can access it? Who helped design it? How does it perform outside a demonstration? What support will users receive? How can organizations, funders, insurers, and community partners help make useful technology available to more people?
Those questions do not weaken innovation. They help turn a promising invention into meaningful, lasting impact.
Learn More and Follow Glide’s Progress
People interested in Glide can visit the official Glidance website, review the current product information, and join the waitlist for availability updates and demonstration opportunities.
Official Sources
- Glidance product overview
- Glidance frequently asked questions
- Glidance team and founder information
- 2026 National Federation of the Blind Convention information
Editorial note: This article reflects Cazerny Bussey’s personal first experience with Glide and publicly available information reviewed on July 18, 2026. It is not medical advice, Orientation and Mobility instruction, or a paid product endorsement. Product features, price, and availability may change; confirm current details directly with Glidance.
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