Eastern Cape student Elihle Stali has developed AI-assisted smart glasses inspired by his late grandmother, offering visually impaired individuals greater independence and gaining international attention, with a successful BackaBuddy campaign surpassing its funding goal. Picture: Facebook
Young innovator from the Eastern Cape, Elihle Stali, is setting the bar for breakthrough technology aimed at helping the visually impaired with a pair of AI-assisted smart glasses inspired by his late grandmother.
The 23-year-old computer science student has created a lightweight pair of glasses — similar in appearance to Meta’s AI glasses — that can translate what they are pointed at into audio, effectively telling the user what is in front of them.
The device also works in several South African languages, giving the technology a uniquely South African flavour.
It has the potential to be a breakthrough innovation that could give visually impaired people far greater independence, confidence and freedom in their daily lives.
