Meet Khalifa Aminu, the 20-year-old Nigerian building AI glasses to help blind people navigate without a stick or guide

• Khalifa Aminu, a 20-year-old inventor from Kano, Nigeria, is developing smart glasses designed to assist visually impaired people with navigation.

• The device combines artificial intelligence, sensors and GPS technology to detect obstacles, provide alerts and share location information.

• Aminu began developing the glasses after seeing visually impaired people in his community struggle with mobility challenges.

• The invention remains a prototype under development, with Aminu working to improve its features and make it more accessible. 

A 20-year-old Nigerian inventor, Khalifa Aminu, is developing AI-powered smart glasses designed to help visually impaired people navigate their surroundings with greater independence.

The Kano-based innovator’s invention combines artificial intelligence, sensors and GPS technology to help users detect obstacles, understand their surroundings and share their location when needed. 

Unlike regular smart glasses designed for entertainment or augmented reality features, Aminu’s device focuses on accessibility by assisting people with visual impairments during movement.

The glasses use sensors and a camera system to identify objects and obstacles in the user’s path. When the device detects something nearby, it can provide alerts to warn the wearer. 

Earlier versions of Aminu’s invention relied on ultrasonic and infrared sensors to detect nearby objects and trigger alerts through sound. After testing the prototype with a visually impaired person in his community, Aminu used the feedback to improve the design. 

The newer version, known as Glass V2, incorporates artificial intelligence and improved tracking capabilities. Aminu has also been working on adding voice features that could allow the glasses to describe surroundings and interact with users through audio. 

Aminu said his motivation came from seeing visually impaired people in his community struggle with mobility and relying heavily on others for assistance.

His goal is to create a technology-based solution that can make movement easier and give visually impaired people more independence. 

Aminu began developing the glasses using locally available electronic components. His early prototype attracted attention after demonstrations of the technology gained traction online.

His work also caught the attention of Nigeria’s National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, which invited him to demonstrate the technology and discuss possible support for further development. 

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Although the glasses have generated interest, the device is still a prototype and requires further testing, refinement and support before it can become a widely available assistive technology.

Aminu is continuing to improve the device by making it smaller, smarter and more useful for visually impaired users.

His work highlights how young innovators are using emerging technologies like AI and embedded systems to solve everyday problems and create tools that improve accessibility.