about us
Empowering Navigation for All
Hearsee Mobility is building technology that helps blind and low vision people move through the world with confidence, not caution. Every tool we build starts with the people who will use it, and stays free for the community it serves.
ABOUT US
Built with the Community, Not Just for It
Since our founding in 2018, Hearsee Mobility has worked side by side with the blind and low vision community to build navigation tools that reflect how people actually move through the world. Their input has shaped everything we build, from the Hearsee Tags placed inside a venue to the app that reads them.
In 2019, our earliest concepts were shaped in direct conversations with members of the Salt Lake City blind and low vision community. That relationship set a standard we still hold today: nothing gets built without the people it’s for.
We’re a nonprofit team of engineers, designers, and accessibility advocates. Our tools are free for the people who use them, and always will be.
Why We Exist
Navigation Shouldn't Stop at the Door
GPS can get someone to a building. It rarely gets them through one. For someone who is blind or has low vision, that gap can mean losing independence the moment they step inside.
The Problem We Saw
Indoor spaces are often unmapped and unpredictable. Wayfinding tools built for sighted users were never built for this.
What We Built
Hearsee pairs detailed environment mapping with physical Hearsee Tags placed throughout a venue, powering turn-by-turn navigation and rich context about the space around you.
The Impact We Create
Every venue we map becomes a place someone can enter with confidence. Every deployment makes the next one faster and stronger to build.
Our Values
Powered by Purpose, Grounded in People
Access with No Barrier
Every tool we build remains free for our community, designed to remove barriers.
Our Inclusive Business
Accessibility drives richer experiences and stronger outcomes for everyone here.
Make It Truly Personal
We listen deeply and build with empathy, centering real lives in every decision.
Truly Lead With Vision
We think ahead, challenge norms, and shape the future of independent navigation.
We Fail Bravely Onward
We experiment boldly, learn fast, and always turn setbacks into stepping stones.
We Find Joy Doing Work
We bring genuine passion, positivity, and true purpose to everything we do here.
Since 2018
Built Step by Step, With the Community
None of this happened in a lab alone. Every milestone below was tested, challenged, and shaped by the blind and low vision community we build for, from a simple idea in 2018 to a mapped, tag-guided navigation system tested in real venues today.
2018
Founded as a Nonprofit
Hearsee Mobility was formed with a mission to improve independence through access
2019
Proof of Concept
We validated the potential of mapped, tag-guided navigation directly with the Salt Lake City blind and low vision community.
2020
Research & Development
Deep research and user testing shaped our core technology and understanding of real-world needs.
2023
Tested at the National Federation of the Blind Conference
We tested our cane prototype with hundreds of users in Michigan, and the NFB Utah Center became our first mapped location outside a controlled
2022
First Official Prototype & App Progress
Our first integrated cane prototype and app took shape with key features and infrastructure milestones.
2021
Preliminary Mechanical Cane
We engineered our first mechanical cane prototype to explore form, function, and user experience.
2024
Strategic Turning Point
We brought software development in-house to accelerate innovation and improve reliability.
2025
Strengthening the Foundation
We resolved legacy hardware and software issues to build a stronger, more scalable future.
2026
Refining Our First Real-World Deployment
We expanded hands-on testing at Utah Arts Academy, mapping new routes and preparing staff training for this fall season.
The Journey Continues
This story isn't finished. Every year we add new venues, new lessons, and new proof that it truly keeps on working well.
2018
Founded as a Nonprofit
Hearsee Mobility was formed with a mission to improve independence through access
2019
Proof of Concept
We validated the potential of mapped, tag-guided navigation directly with the Salt Lake City blind and low vision community.
2020
Research & Development
Deep research and user testing shaped our core technology and understanding of real-world needs.
2023
Tested at the National Federation of the Blind Conference
We tested our cane prototype with hundreds of users in Michigan, and the NFB Utah Center became our first mapped location outside a controlled
2022
First Official Prototype & App Progress
Our first integrated cane prototype and app took shape with key features and infrastructure milestones.
2021
Preliminary Mechanical Cane
We engineered our first mechanical cane prototype to explore form, function, and user experience.
2024
Strategic Turning Point
We brought software development in-house to accelerate innovation and improve reliability.
2025
Strengthening the Foundation
We resolved legacy hardware and software issues to build a stronger, more scalable future.
2026
Refining Our First Real-World Deployment
We expanded hands-on testing at Utah Arts Academy, mapping new routes and preparing staff training for this fall season.
The Journey Continues
This story isn't finished. Every year we add new venues, new lessons, and new proof that it truly keeps on working well.
Leadership
Led by People Who Understand the Stakes
“I’ve walked next to the people we build for enough times to know accessibility isn’t a feature. It’s the whole point.”
James Bloomfield
CEO, Hearsee Mobility
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