Young innovators meet Bhuvnesh Yadav, discuss smart technology for the disabled

Raipur: Ravi Kiran, a UNICEF-honored Global Youth Innovator and the 21-year-old founder of Alien Innovations, met with Bhuvnesh Yadav, Secretary of the Social Welfare Department of the Chhattisgarh government. Harshita, who oversees operations and partnerships at the startup, was also present. Significantly, both young people are pursuing their engineering studies while simultaneously bringing about social change through innovation. The primary objective of this important meeting was to showcase “Navinaut” and “SignX,” cutting-edge devices developed to empower Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and make their daily lives more independent and accessible.

During the meeting, Secretary Yadav was thoroughly discussed about the workings of these “Made in India” technologies and their positive impact on the lives of thousands of PwDs. Ravi presented “Navinaut,” India’s first flashlight-sized, compact assistive device for the visually impaired. This device allows for hassle-free and safe walking without the need for a traditional cane. It features an advanced LiDAR sensor for accurate obstacle detection and tactile vibrations for alerts. SignX was also demonstrated for individuals with hearing and speech impairments. This smart desk-based AI device enables real-time communication without an interpreter. It recognizes sign language with 97.6 percent accuracy, instantly converts it to voice, and displays the other person’s speech on the screen using a speech-to-text feature.

Social Welfare Secretary Bhuvnesh Yadav responded positively, deeply appreciating these innovations. He emphasized that elevating the quality of life of persons with disabilities through technology and integrating them into mainstream society is one of the government’s priorities. Given the practical utility of these devices, Mr. Yadav also discussed the potential for future promotion and use in public spaces, government offices, hospitals, and educational institutions. This meeting is a crucial step toward creating an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment for the disabled community by coordinating technological innovations and government efforts.