Feature Story
Smart Glasses by Seleste :
The next big thing in assistive technology for the blind
Shubh Mittal Founder & CEO Seleste
Smart glasses being as common as smartphones ? This would revolutionize how we interact with our surroundings !
This vision isn ’ t from a sci-fi movie , but from Shubh Mittal , the innovative mind behind Seleste Innovations Inc . Shubh ’ s story begins during his university years , where he was captivated by the potential of smart glasses . “ I always thought smart glasses were the future ,” he recalls . But the path to innovation is rarely straightforward . It was a personal connection that truly ignited his passion . “ I had a friend in university who was blind . He was incredibly smart , but he struggled with everyday tasks like grocery shopping or reading notes in class . It hit me that smart glasses could really make a difference in his life ,” Shubh shares .
Determined to turn his vision into reality , Shubh started experimenting with smart glasses . His commitment deepened when he began volunteering with the Vancouver Paralympic team , specifically with goalball players . These athletes , who are visually impaired , became the first users of his prototypes . “ Seeing the impact on their lives was a gamechanger for me . It wasn ’ t just about technology anymore , it was about making a real difference ,” says Shubh .
Seleste ’ s core mission is clear and ambitious : to make people more efficient and focus on what truly matters . “ Our goal is to eliminate inefficiencies , especially for blind professionals who spend too much time navigating inaccessible documents or websites . We want them to focus on their actual work ,” explains Shubh .
One of the primary challenges for visually impaired individuals is what Shubh calls the “ last ten feet ” problem . While tools like Google Maps can guide users close to their destination , the final steps — finding the exact door , navigating a lobby , or locating an elevator — can be daunting . “ I remember a user telling me she was stuck in a doctor ’ s office lobby for hours because she couldn ’ t find the elevator . Another waited at a closed bus stop for 45 minutes because she couldn ’ t read the sign . These are the everyday challenges we aim to solve ,” Shubh recounts .
Developing Seleste ’ s smart glasses was no walk in the park . Shubh initially thought his company would be the only one creating such technology , but he discovered competitors were offering similar expensive and bulky products . “ It was a surprise , but it pushed us to innovate further ,” he says . A major breakthrough came when they decided to offload processing to the user ’ s phone . “ This allowed us to make the glasses thinner , more powerful , and affordable . It was a game-changer ,” Shubh reveals . However , this also meant navigating restrictions imposed by phone manufacturers , which sometimes slowed down development .
What sets Seleste apart from its competitors is its commitment to affordability and style , along with a broad range of functionalities . “ Our glasses look normal . It ’ s a myth that people don ’ t care about aesthetics . They don ’ t want to stand out ,” Shubh notes . The AI assistant integrated into the glasses offers additional value by helping users recall previously read documents or business cards , a feature invaluable for professionals .
Beyond canes and guide dogs , in the mobility assistance market , many innovations for the blind haven ’ t become widespread . Seleste ’ s approach is to complement , not replace , these essential tools . “ We ’ re not trying
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