India – 2025 – In a world where technology continues to transform how we move, communicate, and work, one group often left behind is individuals with visual impairments. Many still rely heavily on family members for even the simplest everyday tasks, such as navigating a room, identifying objects, or recognising faces. This dependence can quietly shape everything from self-confidence to dignity. For Tushar Shaw, witnessing this dependence firsthand sparked a determination to reimagine accessibility through technology, inspiring him to create Percevia. Percevia began with a simple but profound observation: visually impaired individuals deserve independence, not constant reliance. That belief soon grew into a mission to build a device that could support users in real time, giving them the freedom to navigate the world on their own terms. The idea became real the moment Tushar placed his first prototype in the hands of a blind user. The excitement, hope, and sense of possibility in that moment made it clear that Percevia should not remain just an academic experiment. It needed to become a product—something that could genuinely transform lives.

Reinventing navigation through AI-powered glasses

Percevia’s core innovation lies in its AI-equipped glasses system, which is designed to translate visual information into intuitive voice and haptic cues. The glasses divide the visual field into a three-by-three grid that helps users understand the location. It communicates what the object is and its location in structured feedback which helps the user observe the surroundings.

Distance is conveyed through vibration feedback: different haptic frequencies indicate how near or far an object is. Over time, users begin to develop a mental map of their surroundings based solely on these cues, giving them a smooth and predictable way to navigate without visual input. Behind this seamless experience is sophisticated AI.

Percevia uses fine-tuned object detection based on the YOLOv8n and YOLO-E models. Together, they enable high-speed detection of common objects and even provide the flexibility to register new ones the model may not have been trained on.

Percevia is being designed as a comprehensive accessibility tool. The glasses can describe entire scenes, recognize faces, read printed text, initiate video calls, and even play music through built-in audio capabilities. These features collectively aim to make daily life smoother and richer while making users far more independent.

A Turning Point Through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

Many young innovators begin with ambition, but what they need is validation and support. For Percevia, Samsung’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow program delivered exactly that. According to Tushar, the program gave him more than resources or access to mentors; it helped him stop doubting the value of what he was building. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow reaffirmed that innovative technology should not be limited to intellectual curiosity or academic achievements.

It can and should be a force that directly impacts lives. The mentorship he received helped refine not just the design of Percevia but also the underlying philosophy. The program encouraged him to think beyond functionality and focus on creating meaningful change. It helped him see technology as a tool for empowerment, not simply for efficiency. In many ways, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow shifted his outlook from building a device to building a better future for its users.

A Vision Fuelled by the Voices of Users

Some innovations feel transformative the moment they’re conceived. Others reveal their true impact when they reach the hands of real people. For Tushar, every interaction with visually impaired users reinforced the belief that Percevia was life-changing. He describes many of these encounters as breakthrough moments. Each conversation, each test session, and each piece of feedback reflected a clear desire among users for tools that offer not just accessibility but autonomy. The eagerness people showed when trying the glasses was more than appreciation; it was a clear signal that Percevia filled a real and pressing gap.

One piece of feedback encapsulates this user-driven evolution. In early app testing, a blind adult suggested that a single tap on a button should only announce its name, while a double tap should perform the action. It was a small change from a technical perspective but represented an important shift in usability.

Percevia today stands as a direct product of that collaboration. Every improvement is a reflection of someone’s real needs, preferences, and frustrations. In other words, users are not just beneficiaries but also co-creators. Feedback from visually impaired individuals and advocacy groups has been overwhelmingly positive. This collaborative development process ensures Percevia remains grounded in real needs rather than assumptions. This ongoing dialogue also highlights an important truth accessibility is not a luxury but a right. Technology, when designed thoughtfully, can bridge the gap between limitations and opportunity.

Looking Ahead: Building a Safer, Smarter and More Inclusive India

Before Percevia enters the market, there is still significant development ahead. Because it deals with safety, reliability is paramount. The team is committed to refining every feature, ensuring accuracy, reducing errors, and strengthening the system’s intelligence.

This meticulous approach reflects a deeper responsibility. For many users, Percevia will not be a convenience; it will be a lifeline, something they rely on in unfamiliar spaces, crowded streets, or daily routines.

That sense of responsibility drives the team to perfect the product before any launch. Samsung’s mentorship played a crucial role in shaping this ambition. It gave Tushar permission to dream bigger, to imagine Percevia not merely as a device but as a movement toward a more inclusive society. Percevia is more than a piece of wearable technology; it is a step toward independence for those who have been overlooked. It is a reminder that empathy and innovation, when combined, can break longstanding barriers. And it is a glimpse into a future where no individual’s potential is limited by the absence of sight but instead expanded by the presence of technology designed with care.

About Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a global competition that empowers students to address real-world challenges in their communities through STEM. By fostering creativity and critical thinking, the program encourages students to innovate and develop impactful solutions to local and global issues.

Through hands-on projects, participants gain the skills and confidence to tackle complex problems, transforming their ideas into actionable solutions. The program nurtures the next generation of leaders while strengthening the global community by connecting young minds across borders to share knowledge and inspire collective progress.

To learn more, visit https://csr.samsung.com/en/program/samsung-solve-for-tomorrow