From Inspiration to Innovation: Empowering the Next Generation of Social Champions
Straightforward tasks, like finding your way around a new store, can become significantly more complex when our sight is limited. This is the reality for millions of individuals globally who live with visual impairment.
For Team Blahaj from NUS High School of Mathematics and Science, the winning team of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2023 competition, this is not just a statistic; it is a call to action. Their inspiration stemmed from a desire to improve the lives of not just the visually impaired, but also seniors in their community, including their own grandparents who are facing vision problems.
“My hope for the future is where the visually impaired can live normally again, experiencing the world without worrying about their safety,” shares Wang Zerui, the team leader of Team Blahaj. “By leveraging modern technologies like AI, we hope to address the needs of these individuals and help forge a more inclusive society for everyone.”
The obstacle navigation map created by Team Blahaj through LiDAR technology and camera-based object detection technology
Christian Tan, another member of Team Blahaj, elaborates on their innovative solution: “By converting the sense of sight to touch, we enable the visually impaired to ‘see’ again, allowing them to feel the world around them. Our invention consists of two components: a software part and a hardware part. We utilised LiDAR technology and camera-based object detection systems to create an ‘obstacle map’ that provides users with a tactile representation of their environment.”
Christian tested the prototype of their solution and experimented with how the tactile interface could help people navigate around obstacles without sight
The hardware component involves developing a unique case that translates the visual data captured by the device into tactile feedback. The tactile interface consists of an array of pins that gently push into the user’s fingers depending on the distance of obstacles, enabling users to get an accurate map of their surroundings without having to scan around. This innovative combination of technologies not only aids the visually impaired in navigating their environment but also brings a greater sense of independence to their daily lives.
Vincent discussing with his team members on how they can further refine the prototype of their tactile feedback component
Vincent Kwok, another member of Team Blahaj, emphasises the importance of the journey: “Our biggest takeaway from Solve for Tomorrow was the process. The journey has been exciting and enriching, giving us the chance to tackle real-world problems and bring our ideas to life. The hands-on experience not only offered us a glimpse into what our future careers in computing and software development might entail but also allowed us to sharpen our problem-solving skills, foster teamwork, and apply our knowledge in practical ways.”
Vincent’s sentiment resonates with one of the core tenets of the Solve for Tomorrow competition, which is to provide the opportunity for youths to develop interdisciplinary skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving capabilities as well as expand their Science, Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) knowledge. The goal is to enable young people to elevate their potential while preparing them for the future workforce.
The Solve for Tomorrow 2024 competition is currently open for entries from all secondary school students in Singapore until 4 August 2024. With the theme “Dare to Dream: Be the Champion of Social Change,” the competition aims to empower the next generation of innovators and changemakers to address social issues in their communities and drive positive change through innovation.
Secondary school students can now form teams of 2 to 4 and submit their ideas at the Solve for Tomorrow 2024 website here
Dennis Jang, President of Samsung Electronics Singapore, encapsulates this vision perfectly. “At Samsung, we believe in the immense potential of our youths to positively impact our society and environment through their passion and creativity. Solve for Tomorrow is more than just a contest; it’s a platform for young minds to explore their potential and turn their ideas into tangible solutions.”
Dennis with Team Blahaj at the Solve for Tomorrow 2023 awards dinner
“Team Blahaj’s dedication to addressing real-world challenges is inspiring, and Samsung is proud to champion their efforts,” adds Dennis. “I look forward to seeing how these young changemakers will contribute meaningfully to our society and create a better future for all.”
The story of Team Blahaj is a rallying call to students everywhere: your ideas matter, your innovations can change lives, and your participation can make a significant impact. As Wang Zerui, Christian Tan, and Vincent Kwok have shown, the path to a brighter tomorrow is paved with curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to making a difference.
Embrace the challenge, dare to dream, and you could be the next champion of social change. Find out more at the Solve for Tomorrow website.
Corporate > Citizenship
For any issues related to customer service, please go to samsung.com/support for assistance.
For media inquiries, please contact june.chow@samsung.com.
