Students Create Smart Walking Stick ‘PathPal’ for Visually Impaired

Visually impaired individuals in India encounter significant challenges in navigating their surroundings, affecting their independence and overall quality of life. This unmet need results in an estimated annual GDP loss of 1,427 billion. Addressing this crucial issue, students from the School of Engineering & Technology at BML Munjal University have developed an innovative solution. Kanika Sharma and Abhimanyu Gulati have designed ‘PathPal’—a smart walking stick aimed at enhancing mobility and safety for the visually impaired. Developed under their start-up, Smart Eye, this groundbreaking device seeks to empower users and promote greater societal inclusivity.

'PathPal'

PathPal features a detachable unit that can be easily attached to standard walking sticks. Equipped with advanced ultrasonic sensors, it detects various obstacles, including potholes and hanging objects, providing real-time feedback through vibrations and audio alerts. An accompanying wristband serves as an intuitive controller, offering stick-finding and SOS functionalities.

“With PathPal, we aim to revolutionize how visually impaired individuals interact with their environment,” said Kanika Sharma, Co-founder of Smart Eye. “By merging cutting-edge technology with user-centric design, our product fosters independence and confidence among users.”

Abhimanyu Gulati, Co-founder of Smart Eye, emphasized the product’s accessibility: “We have strived to balance innovation with affordability. Our goal is to make PathPal available to as many users as possible without compromising on quality or functionality.”

A major advantage of PathPal is its affordability. The team has succeeded in creating a high-quality, feature-rich device that remains cost-effective, making it accessible to a wide range of users. This balance of innovation and affordability positions PathPal as a transformative advancement in assistive technology for the visually impaired.

Dr. Maneek Kumar, Dean of the School of Engineering & Technology at BML Munjal University, praised the students' achievement: “Kanika and Abhimanyu’s work on PathPal exemplifies the kind of innovative, socially responsible thinking we aim to foster at our institution. Their success demonstrates the potential our students have to create affordable solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives. This project showcases not only their technical prowess but also our commitment to nurturing engineers who are attuned to societal needs. PathPal is a testament to how engineering innovation can address critical challenges and enhance quality of life. We are extremely proud of what Kanika and Abhimanyu have achieved and believe this is just the beginning of their journey in creating impactful technologies.”

PathPal has already gained recognition, winning the on-campus Hult Prize 2024 at BML Munjal University. This accolade underscores the potential impact of PathPal in addressing a significant societal need while highlighting the innovative spirit nurtured at BML Munjal University.

Smart Eye’s mission is to provide innovative, low-cost assistive technologies that enhance independence, safety, and quality of life for visually impaired individuals. Committed to ongoing research and development, the company plans to expand its range of assistive devices and services in the future.