Rohan Mehta’s Smart Cane Brings Light to Those Who Walk in Darkness
In a small workshop behind his house in Pune, 15-year-old Rohan Mehta spends most evenings surrounded by wires, sensors, and bits of recycled circuit boards.
But what he’s building isn’t a toy — it’s hope.
Rohan has invented an AI-powered smart cane that helps visually impaired people move safely by detecting obstacles and giving voice alerts. His project recently won the 2025 Google Science Fair India, earning praise from scientists and accessibility experts worldwide.
👀 AN IDEA BORN FROM EMPATHY
Rohan’s inspiration came two years ago when he saw a blind man nearly fall while crossing a busy street.
“I realized white canes help, but they can’t ‘see’ everything,” Rohan says. “I wanted to build something that could think faster than danger.”
So he began learning Python programming online, watched robotics tutorials, and saved his pocket money to buy basic sensors.
With guidance from his computer teacher, he created a prototype that uses:
- Ultrasonic sensors to measure distance from obstacles,
- AI image recognition to identify objects, and
- Voice output that tells users what’s ahead (“Wall ahead,” “Stairs down,” “Turn left”).
The entire system runs on a small rechargeable battery and costs less than ₹2,000 to make.
💬 “Technology is not about gadgets,” Rohan says. “It’s about giving someone freedom.”
🖼️ Illustration idea: Rohan showing his smart cane to a visually impaired user, smiling as the device gives voice guidance.
🧩 HOW IT WORKS
The smart cane connects via Bluetooth to a mobile app that records travel paths and alerts family members if the user is lost.
It also uses AI algorithms to adapt to walking speed — slowing down alerts for gentle movement and increasing warning distance when the person moves faster.
During testing at a Pune community center for the blind, users reported 90% fewer collisions and greater confidence in walking independently.
💬 “For the first time, I felt like the world was speaking back to me,” said Anjali Joshi, one of the test users.
📦 DID YOU KNOW?
- Over 39 million people worldwide are blind, and India has nearly 20% of them.
- AI tools like Rohan’s cane can make daily navigation safer and cheaper than imported devices.
- Similar technology is now being explored for elderly users too!
💡 WHAT WE LEARN FROM ROHAN
Rohan’s invention reminds us that curiosity with kindness creates real innovation.
He hopes to make the design open-source so students across India can build their own versions.
💬 “Don’t wait to grow up to make a difference,” he says. “Start with what you know — and who you care about.”
