The white pipe for the 21st century. While many tech companies are working hard to make technology more accessible for the blind and visually impaired, people with disabilities have not benefited as much from these advances.

born in London WeWalk requires a more traditional white pipe method. Beyond the bulkier handle, not much distinguishes the company’s product visually from a standard folding tube.

The company currently offers two models: the $850 Smartcane 2 and $1,150 Smartcane+ 2. The main difference between the tiers is the latter’s inclusion of a voice-controlled assistant — a seemingly valuable tool for to a visually impaired person on-the-go. In addition to detecting obstacles at ground level, the system is able to spot potential obstacles above.

The system connects wirelessly to an iPhone/Android smartphone, allowing users to get walking directions directly from the cane through an onboard speaker. The buttons on the handle can also be used to interface directly with the phone, bringing a tactile experience that smartphones lack.

Parked next door on the CES show floor, based in Washington state Glidance is a newer entrant on the scene. The startup describes its product, Glide, as an “autonomous, self-guided mobility aid,” or, simply, a robot. Instead of a more standardized form factor, the Glide has a handle attached to a wheel base.

The $1,500 system ($1,799 with an annual subscription) is currently in soft launch mode, after initial preorders. The system has a pair of stereo-depth cameras and takes a more sophisticated technical approach. In addition to avoiding obstacles, it alerts the user when they approach a door, elevator, stairs, or curb, and temporarily locks when they reach an intersection to avoid oncoming traffic. .

The company says that a product will ship in about a year. Glidance has raised $1.5 million pre-seed and is currently in the process of closing a $5 million seed round.