Japanese industrial designer Kenji Saito unveiled "SoundPath," a tactile navigation system for Tokyo's Shinjuku district. The project combines 3D-printed aluminum street signs with embedded piezoelectric speakers that emit frequency-modulated tones corresponding to directional cues.

Saito's innovation uses bone-conduction technology to transmit audio through signage surfaces, allowing visually impaired users to "hear" street layouts. The signs feature Braille legends synchronized with ambient noise sensors, adjusting sound patterns during rush hour to enhance clarity. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government installed 500 units, reducing pedestrian navigation errors by 62%.

"This design speaks in the language of the city," Saito explained. His system influenced Barcelona's smart streetlight initiative, where similar tactile-audio features now guide tourists through Gothic Quarter alleys.