Pre-Purchase FAQ

Purchasing

Q. Is there anything I should know before purchasing?

A. Please note the following five important points before purchasing. Be sure to read the Important Notices and the Terms of Service before buying.

  1. ASHIRASE2 is not a safety device that guarantees safe walking. It is designed to support navigation to your destination. Please continue to use appropriate methods to ensure safe walking, such as a white cane or guide dog.
  2. ASHIRASE does not detect obstacles or traffic signals. Even when navigation guidance is provided, users must always check their surroundings and confirm safety as they normally would.
  3. ASHIRASE is intended for vision impairment users who can walk independently and perform basic spatial awareness and safety checks.
  4. ASHIRASE provides navigation through vibrations to the foot. Becoming familiar with the device may take some practice. About one week of use is typically required. We recommend practicing repeatedly on familiar routes near your home.
  5. ASHIRASE uses location information obtained via GPS. Depending on the environment, GPS signals may not function properly. For example, it may not perform well indoors or in areas with many tall buildings.

Q. Can I try the device before purchasing?

A. Yes. You can consult with an authorized distributor that carries ASHIRASE2.

Q. Does the navigation include routes for trains or buses?

A. No. ASHIRASE provides walking routes only and does not include public transportation directions. If your journey involves trains or buses, you can use ASHIRASE to walk from your home to the nearest station, and then use it again to navigate from the station to your destination after arriving.

Q. Does ASHIRASE guide me to the entrance of a building?

A. Not necessarily. ASHIRASE guides you to the vicinity of your destination, but it may not bring you directly in front of the entrance. After arriving near the destination, you may ask someone nearby for assistance. If there is a specific entrance or location you want to reach, we recommend saving that location as a Favorite.

Q. How accurate is the navigation?

A. Accuracy depends on various factors such as the smartphone device and surrounding environment. However, by using sensor data built into the ASHIRASE2 device (GNSS, IMU, and magnetic sensors), the system can provide more accurate guidance compared to using a smartphone alone, including in areas such as tunnels or under elevated roads.

Q. Can ASHIRASE be used indoors for navigation?

A. No, navigation is currently only available outdoors.

Q. Can I use ASHIRASE overseas?

A. Yes. ASHIRASE can be used in countries or regions where Google Maps is available. An internet connection is required.

Device

Q. Can the device be attached to any type of shoes?

A. Not all shoes are compatible. The device works with most shoes such as sneakers, leather shoes, and slip-ons. However, it may be difficult to attach to certain high-cut shoes, boots, tall rain boots, or shoes with low sides such as pumps or sandals.

Q. Are there different sizes depending on foot size?

A. No. The device is available in a single size. It is designed to work comfortably for users with foot sizes between 22.5 cm and 30 cm.

Q. Can the device be used in rain, snow, or environments with temperature differences?

A. Yes. ASHIRASE2 complies with IPX5 (JIS/IEC standard) and can be used in rainy conditions. However, please avoid using it while submerged in water or washing it under running water. If the device becomes wet from rain, wipe off the moisture with a soft cloth and let it dry in a well-ventilated place.

Q. How long can the device be used on a single full charge?

A. Depending on the route, the device can operate continuously for approximately 10 hours. If you use navigation for about 1.5 hours per day, it is expected to last about one week on a full charge. The device takes approximately 2 hours to fully charge.

Application

Q. Is there an Android version of the app?

A. No. The Android version is coming soon.

Q. How much mobile data does the app use?

A. The ASHIRASE app does not use the camera during navigation and can run in the background or with the screen turned off. Because of this, data usage tends to be lower compared to many other navigation apps. For example, if you navigate about 3 km per day, the estimated monthly data usage is approximately 0.1 GB. Many users report that they rarely notice the data consumption.