An Eastern Cape student, Elihle Stali, has developed AI-assisted smart glasses designed to improve mobility and independence for people with visual impairments. The project is inspired by his late grandmother, who was blind, and is intended to help users navigate everyday situations more effectively through technology that supports what they see or cannot see. Stali’s work has attracted wider attention beyond South Africa, including international interest in the concept and its potential impact. The initiative is also supported through crowdfunding: his BackaBuddy campaign reportedly reaches and surpasses its funding target, enabling further development of the glasses and related activities. Overall, the coverage presents the project as a student-led innovation combining artificial intelligence with wearable assistive technology, motivated by personal experience and aimed at addressing practical challenges faced by visually impaired individuals.