An Eastern Cape student, Elihle Stali, has developed AI-assisted smart glasses designed to help visually impaired people navigate and function with greater independence. The project is inspired by his late grandmother, who was blind, and by what he says she needed in daily life. According to reports, Stali’s prototype uses artificial intelligence to provide assistance tailored to users’ visual challenges, with the aim of improving safety and everyday access.
The initiative has drawn local and international attention, including funding support through a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign. The campaign reportedly surpassed its funding goal, indicating public interest and backing for further development and deployment. The story is presented as both a personal tribute and a practical technology effort, focused on expanding opportunities for people with visual impairments.
While details of the technology’s specific features are limited in the available summaries, the sources agree on the core elements: the Eastern Cape origin of the project, its AI-enabled smart-glasses approach, the inspiration from Stali’s grandmother, and the successful crowdfunding outcome.
