Mumbai-based early-stage assistive mobility venture ClearWay Mobility has entered the manufacturing stage for its flagship product, a smart attachment designed to integrate obstacle detection into the standard white cane used by visually impaired people.
The device was developed by Jaiveer Talwar, a 17-year-old student at The Cathedral & John Connon School in Mumbai. What initially began as a school science-fair project in 2021 has evolved into a real-world product aimed at addressing navigation challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in urban environments such as Mumbai.
Designed to fit onto existing white canes, the ClearWay attachment alerts users to obstacles in their path primarily through vibration, with optional audio feedback. A key design principle of the device is that it operates independently, requiring no smartphone, companion applications, or changes to the user's familiar equipment. The overarching development priorities for the venture have centered on affordability, reliability, and ease of use.
Navigating busy urban environments involves managing crowded streets, uneven pavements, and unpredictable obstacles. The device is intended to provide an additional layer of navigational information while keeping the traditional white cane at the center of the user's mobility routine.
Talwar's journey toward product development included a 2024 internship with a prosthetics company to gain practical exposure to mobility challenges and assistive technologies. In 2026, a revised version of ClearWay underwent testing with students and teachers at the Smt. Kamla Mehta Dadar School for the Blind in Mumbai, providing feedback that underscored the importance of simplicity and reliability in assistive tools.
Feedback and interactions during testing also highlighted safety concerns regarding visually impaired young women. In response, the current version of ClearWay incorporates GPS tracking functionality, enabling family members to monitor a user's location when needed.
Following the testing phase and initial feedback incorporation, ClearWay Mobility has commenced manufacturing an initial batch of the devices. The next operational phase will focus on product refinement through continued user feedback, institutional partnerships for wider testing and deployment, and exploring methods to make the technology accessible at scale.
"The journey of ClearWay Mobility from a school science-fair project to an actual manufacturing stage highlights the importance of identifying grassroots problems and focusing on practical utility. In the assistive technology sector, user-centric design—such as ensuring a device works without requiring a smartphone or altering familiar tools—is critical for adoption. For young entrepreneurs, building solutions that prioritize affordability, reliability, and real-world feedback remains a strong foundation for scaling a meaningful business venture." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
