The present invention provides a mobility enhancing device having means for electronically illuminating a travel path, which means comprises a housing, the housing containing an illumination source of an intensity range suitable for illumination of a travel path and of an optimal wavelength spectrum, the illumination being directed at such an angle downward and not forward, so as not to impair the vision of non-users of the device and to minimize glare from the illumination source that can interfere with the vision of the user. In a preferred embodiment, a mobility enhancing device such as a walking cane is provided including means to electronically illuminate a travel path to detect obstacles. In a further preferred embodiment, a long cane such as that typically used by the blind and visually impaired is improved in accordance with the invention.
