MUMBAI — ClearWay Mobility, an early-stage assistive mobility venture founded by 17-year-old Mumbai student Jaiveer Talwar, has introduced a smart attachment designed to add obstacle detection features to the standard white cane used by visually impaired individuals.
The device is built to fit onto existing standard white canes. It alerts users to obstacles in their path primarily through vibration, with optional audio feedback. The product functions independently and does not require a smartphone, a mobile application, or a change in the user's current cane. According to the company, the development is centered on three primary factors: affordability, reliability, and ease of use.
For visually impaired individuals navigating busy urban centers like Mumbai, environmental challenges include crowded streets, uneven pavements, and unpredictable obstacles. ClearWay is intended to provide an additional layer of information while maintaining the traditional white cane at the center of the user's navigation method.
The concept originated five years ago as a school science-fair project at The Cathedral & John Connon School in Mumbai, where Talwar focused on assistive technologies and mobility challenges. In 2024, he completed an internship with a prosthetics company to gain practical exposure to the sector.
In 2026, a revised version of the device was tested with students and teachers at the Smt. Kamla Mehta Dadar School for the Blind in Mumbai. Feedback from the testing emphasized the importance of simplicity and reliability. Additionally, feedback regarding the safety of visually impaired young women prompted the inclusion of GPS tracking, allowing family members to check the user's location when necessary.
ClearWay Mobility has now entered the manufacturing stage, with an initial batch currently being produced. The next phase of operations will focus on refining the product through continued user feedback, collaborating with institutions for wider testing and deployment, and exploring scalability to ensure accessibility.
"The journey of ClearWay Mobility from a school science-fair project to a manufactured product highlights the value of identifying real-world problems and building practical solutions. In the assistive technology sector, focusing on user feedback, affordability, and integration with existing habits—such as keeping the standard white cane—is critical for adoption. As this early-stage venture moves into manufacturing and institutional testing, maintaining product reliability and user trust will be key factors for its success and scalability." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
