TLDR: An innovator, Lamia Sreya Rahman, has been recognized as a finalist in the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards for developing an AI-powered wearable device designed to assist visually impaired individuals in navigating their surroundings. This innovation aims to bridge the digital divide and offer enhanced independence.
On October 5, 2025, innovator Lamia Sreya Rahman was celebrated as a finalist at the prestigious Spirit of Hong Kong Awards for her groundbreaking work on an AI-powered wearable device. This innovative technology is specifically designed to empower visually impaired individuals by helping them navigate their environment with greater ease and confidence. The recognition highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence in creating inclusive solutions for societal challenges.
While the initial report identifies Lamia Sreya Rahman, previous reports from the South China Morning Post have highlighted similar innovations by Florence Chan, CEO and co-founder of AI Guided. Chan’s company developed the “GUIDi Smart Belt,” an AI-enabled navigation solution that has also been recognized as a finalist for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the “Spirit of Innovation” category. The GUIDi Smart Belt, now in its 10th generation, is a waist-worn device equipped with two wide-angle cameras. These cameras capture and analyze images, identifying objects using advanced AI algorithms and computer vision. The device provides users with vibration-based guidance, offering subtle pulses that direct them, alert them to obstacles, and utilize familiar patterns akin to auditory cues near traffic lights or within train stations.
Florence Chan’s journey began during her PhD in biomedical engineering in 2019, where her research focused on AI vision for cell recognition. A pivotal moment occurred when she observed visually impaired individuals using traditional tools like canes and guide dogs, prompting her to explore how AI could offer better navigation support. After extensive research and 20 prototypes over five years, her team settled on the wearable belt concept, incorporating user feedback to refine its aesthetics and functionality.
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This convergence of efforts underscores a significant push in Hong Kong’s innovation landscape to leverage AI for accessibility. The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, co-organized by the South China Morning Post and Sino Group, aims to honor individuals whose impactful endeavors might otherwise go unnoticed. The development of such AI-powered assistive technologies represents a crucial step towards breaking down barriers and fostering greater independence for the visually impaired community. Due to paywall restrictions on detailed articles, further specific data and direct quotes from Lamia Sreya Rahman’s recognition on October 5, 2025, could not be retrieved, but the broader context of AI innovation for the visually impaired in Hong Kong is well-established through related reports.
