MDANTSANE- A 24-year-old innovator from Mdantsane has returned from Hong Kong after presenting AI-powered smart glasses for visually impaired people, sparking interest from international investors and opening the door to possible large-scale manufacturing.
A young inventor from Mdantsane is attracting international attention after showcasing his artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses for visually impaired people at a global innovation event in Hong Kong.
Twenty-four-year-old Elihle Stali, founder of Spectacles4TheBlindSA, recently presented his working prototype to investors, technology companies and innovation leaders from countries including China, India, Brazil, the United States, Spain, France and the United Kingdom.
The device combines artificial intelligence(AI), computer vision and object-recognition technology to identify obstacles and surrounding objects in real time. Audio guidance is then delivered to the wearer, helping users navigate independently and more safely.
The innovation was inspired by Stali’s grandmother, whose deteriorating eyesight highlighted the need for more accessible assistive technology.
“I made a promise to my grandmother and I’ve stayed committed to that promise,” Stali said.
The glasses have been designed with African users in mind and support several local languages, including isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho and Afrikaans, making them more accessible to a wider range of users.
Stali said he chose to demonstrate a fully functional prototype rather than rely on presentations alone.
“I wanted people to experience the technology for themselves. Once they understood the story behind it and saw it working, many connected with its purpose,” he said.
The international showcase has already resulted in discussions with 11 venture capital investors, as well as a potential overseas manufacturing partner. While negotiations remain at an early stage and are subject to confidentiality agreements, Stali believes the interest could eventually lead to commercial production of the device.
Beyond developing assistive technology, the entrepreneur hopes the project will create economic opportunities in South Africa.
His long-term vision is to establish a local manufacturing facility capable of producing the smart glasses while creating skilled employment opportunities for young South Africans.
“I don’t just want to build a product. I want to build jobs and create a lasting legacy,” he said.
Stali also emphasised the importance of securing patents and trademarks to protect African innovation as discussions with international partners continue.
Despite the overseas interest, he said obtaining support within South Africa has proved difficult, with several funding applications to local institutions and innovation programmes receiving little or no response.
Nevertheless, he remains optimistic that international partnerships could help transform Spectacles4TheBlindSA from a working prototype into a commercially available product capable of improving the lives of millions of visually impaired people.
For the Eastern Cape, the achievement reflects the province’s growing reputation for innovation and demonstrates that locally developed technology can compete on the global stage while addressing real social challenges.
“I don’t just want to build a product. I want to build jobs and create a lasting legacy,” Elihle Stali.
Photograph: Supplied
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