Mumbai-based early-stage assistive mobility venture ClearWay Mobility has introduced a smart attachment designed to add obstacle detection capabilities to standard white canes used by visually impaired individuals. Developed by 17-year-old Mumbai student Jaiveer Talwar, the device is intended to provide alerts through vibration and optional audio feedback without requiring users to replace their existing canes or rely on a smartphone.
The project originated five years ago as a school science-fair project at The Cathedral & John Connon School in Mumbai. Talwar, interested in the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship, sought to address navigation challenges faced by visually impaired people in urban environments such as Mumbai, where crowded streets and uneven pavements are common.
To gain practical exposure to mobility challenges and assistive technologies, Talwar completed an internship with a prosthetics company in 2024. Subsequently, in 2026, a revised version of the ClearWay device underwent testing with students and teachers at the Smt. Kamla Mehta Dadar School for the Blind in Mumbai. Feedback from these tests emphasized the importance of simplicity, reliability, and ease of use in assistive devices.
Feedback from the school visit also highlighted concerns regarding the safety of visually impaired young women. In response to these concerns, the current version of ClearWay incorporates GPS tracking, allowing family members to check the user's location when necessary.
Designed around affordability, reliability, and ease of use, the device operates independently without requiring a smartphone or a mobile application. It aims to add an extra layer of navigation information while keeping the traditional white cane central to the user's routine.
ClearWay Mobility has now transitioned to 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 ways to make the device accessible at scale.
"The development of ClearWay Mobility highlights the potential of addressing real-world local problems through practical, user-focused innovation. By designing an attachment that integrates with tools users are already familiar with, rather than forcing a complete behavioral change, the venture demonstrates a thoughtful approach to product design in the assistive technology sector. Moving from a school project to early-stage manufacturing is an encouraging milestone, and the future success of this initiative will depend heavily on maintaining affordability, reliability, and close engagement with the community it aims to serve." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
