A student from the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, Elihle Stali, has invented AI-powered smart glasses designed to aid visually impaired individuals. The project was motivated by Stali’s desire to improve the independence of his late grandmother, who was blind. The glasses utilize artificial intelligence to assist users with navigation and object recognition. A crowdfunding campaign launched on BackaBuddy to support the project exceeded its initial funding target, demonstrating significant public interest. The invention has garnered international recognition for its potential to enhance the lives of those with visual impairments. Stali’s innovation represents a promising advancement in assistive technology and highlights the power of personal motivation in driving technological solutions.