Shubham Bandhopadhyay

Indian innovator creating affordable assistive technologies for visually impaired communities

Shubham Bandhopadhyay (b. 1993) is a Kolkata-based engineer whose low-cost 'SmartCane' revolutionized accessibility for India's 15 million visually impaired citizens. His invention combines a basic walking stick with ultrasonic sensors and GPS navigation, costing just $12 compared to $300+ commercial alternatives. The device won global accolades including the 2018 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards and UNICEF Innovation Prize.

Bandhopadhyay's startup 'SensAssist' has distributed over 10,000 units across India through partnerships with NGOs like Sight Savers. His 2020 upgrade added voice recognition for real-time obstacle descriptions and emergency call functions. A TEDx speaker, he advocates for inclusive tech development through workshops at IIT Bombay and MIT Media Lab collaborations.

His 2019 paper in IEEE Access journal detailed a solar-powered cane prototype, while his 2022 documentary 'Blindfolded Eyes' (produced with UNESCO) chronicles user experiences. Bandhopadhyay's open-source designs have inspired similar projects in Nigeria and Bangladesh, creating a global network of accessible tech innovators.