Riya Karumanchi, a 14-year-old from Oakville, Ontario, had an ordinary afternoon that turned into an extraordinary moment. While visiting a friend’s home, she noticed her friend’s grandmother, who was visually impaired, using a white cane to navigate the house. The tool was effective for detecting obstacles on the ground, but it couldn’t sense anything above knee height. That realization sparked a question in Riya’s mind: why hadn’t this essential device changed much since its invention in 1921?
This simple observation became the foundation for what would eventually become SmartCane, an innovative assistive technology that has helped millions of people with vision loss navigate their world more independently.
Start Small, Think Bold
Riya began by sketching out ideas for a cane that could detect more than just physical obstacles. She taught herself about sensors, haptics, and feedback systems, combining her science lessons with online tutorials. Her early prototypes included ultrasonic sensors to detect objects, light and wetness sensors for outdoor awareness, and haptic vibrations that guided users left or right.
Her goal wasn’t just to add gadgets—it was to maintain the reliability of the traditional white cane while giving it new capabilities. Even if the technology failed, the cane still worked as a regular mobility aid. This balance between innovation and safety became a core principle of her work.
Turn Curiosity into Action
At just 15 years old, Riya brought her invention to science fairs and startup competitions. Her energy and passion were contagious, and her prototype stood out. Judges and mentors saw not just a student project but a real-world solution. She won first prizes at the BASEF regional fair, the Hacking Health Hackathon, and the HackABILITY hackathon.
Recognition opened doors to serious backing. Companies like Microsoft, Arrow Electronics, and Inertia Engineering became mentors and sponsors, helping her raise over $85,000 to continue developing SmartCane. Each round of testing involved feedback from actual users, ensuring every improvement made a meaningful difference in daily life.
Build for People, Not Just Products
As SmartCane evolved, Riya joined Ryerson University’s DMZ startup incubator, where she learned the fundamentals of running a company. TIME Magazine featured her story, and she was invited to speak at TEDx events, WE Day, and MoveTheDial Summit. She also became part of The Knowledge Society, a program that connects young innovators with global mentors.
Throughout her journey, she stayed close to the people who mattered most—the users. She met with visually impaired individuals to test every feature, collecting input that guided each redesign. Instead of assuming what people needed, she listened.
Stay Steady When Others Doubt You
Building a company as a teenager came with skepticism. Some investors questioned whether someone so young could lead an international assistive tech brand. As a young woman of Indian descent in the STEM world, she often faced assumptions before even starting to pitch her idea.
Yet she remained grounded, kept learning, and surrounded herself with mentors who valued results over age. There were also technical challenges—assistive technology requires precision and reliability because it serves people who depend on it every day. Riya and her team worked tirelessly to ensure SmartCane’s sensors, alerts, and safety features performed flawlessly. Each setback became a lesson in patience and persistence.
Keep Expanding the Mission
SmartCane wasn’t the end of Riya’s creativity. She co-founded Articulate, a software that helps people develop public speaking skills. Later, she joined Deloitte, working on wearable devices for seniors that use machine learning to predict and prevent falls. Every project circled back to her core goal: using technology to improve accessibility and wellness.
When she entered Stanford University to study Computer Science with a focus on Computational Biology, she brought her entrepreneurial mindset to campus life. She served as a Teaching Assistant at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, collaborated with the Hoover Institution, and became active in early-stage health tech investment groups.
Keep Improving What Works
By 2025, SmartCane had become a globally recognized brand. Hundreds of devices were in use across the world, and the company had earned 16 innovation awards. New features included AI-powered object and face recognition, enhanced navigation signals, and stronger safety systems. The goal remained to reach the world’s 285 million visually impaired people.
Riya continued to lead the company and speak at conferences, sharing her story to inspire more young inventors. She showed that building technology for social good isn’t a niche idea—it’s the future.
The Vision Ahead
Riya Karumanchi’s story is about more than one invention. It’s about seeing what others overlook and believing that change is worth the effort. From a simple visit to a friend’s house to international recognition, her journey shows what happens when empathy meets technology.
She reimagined a tool that millions depend on every day. What could you reimagine in your own life? 
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