Ten-year-old develops smart cane, presents it to UN
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Aaradhya Jain, a 10-year-old from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, presented her smart cane, STAMBHA, at the Second World Summit on Sustainable Health and Well-Being at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.
Aaradhya created STAMBHA after wondering how to ensure the safety of people using walking canes, wanting a device that focuses on the person holding it, not just the path ahead.
The cane uses a laser to detect obstacles up to two metres away and vibrates to warn the user, while seven sensors monitor the user’s pulse, blood oxygen, grip, and walking stability. Unlike most smart canes that rely on smartphone apps, STAMBHA operates independently, only needing an internet connection to borrow a signal when necessary. It learns the user’s typical walking pattern over time and can detect falls or changes in stability, even remembering familiar routes to anticipate hazards.
Aaradhya designed and built the prototype herself using readily available components, keeping the cost around $100, significantly less than existing smart canes. Aaradhya presented STAMBHA in support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3, which focuses on Good Health and Well-Being, and has already received recognition for her work in London at the British Parliament. She hopes to gather feedback from users in Bangkok to improve the device, believing technology should focus on human vulnerability and dignity.
