Student Spotlight: AI-enhanced Smart Walking Stick for the Elderly - by Shrigopal Maheshwari (17yo, Nov 2025)

Purpose: AI & Technology to support safe, confident, and independent aging

About

Shrigopal Maheshwari, a 17-year-old innovator from India, joined the VisionnaireX Catalyst Mentorship Program with a deep personal motivation: helping his grandmother regain confidence while walking independently.

Under the mentorship of Florentina Precup (Early-Stage Advisor, Former Data & AI Product Director and Venture Leader, Philips Healthcare and ex-Bain & Company), he transformed that empathy-driven idea into a tangible innovation called Smart Saathi - an AI-enabled walking companion for elderly individuals.

Over just ten 1:1 sessions, Shrigopal learned how to combine engineering, AI modeling, and human-centered design to create a product that balances safety, dignity, and independence.

His prototype impressed the evaluation panel, and he has since filed a design patent for Smart Saathi - a remarkable milestone for a student his age.

The project was presented in the VisionnaireX Health-Tech Pitch Session to Prof. Helma Torkamaan (TU Delft, AI for Health Systems), who praised its “human-centered design focus and thoughtful use of AI.”

Mentor's Feedback

“I’m excited about the project’s passion and direction - particularly its human-centered design focus and thoughtful use of AI. It’s encouraging to see a young innovator applying technology where it truly adds value, such as fall prediction for elder care.” “A passionate, well-directed project with a strong human-centered design and thoughtful use of AI - an inspiring example of meaningful innovation.”

Professor of HealthTech & AI (The Netherlands)

PROJECT DETAILS

Smart Saathi (meaning “intelligent companion” in Hindi) is designed to support seniors who face mobility challenges or fear of falling. Unlike conventional walking sticks, Smart Saathi integrates multiple technologies to provide predictive safety and real-time reassurance.

Key Features Include:

Predictive Intelligence: Uses gait speed, grip pressure, and movement data to anticipate falls before they occur.
Multi-Sensor System: Ultrasonic, IMU, and pressure sensors detect obstacles, uneven surfaces, and instability.
Self-Standing Base & Ergonomic Handle: Improves posture and prevents the cane from tipping when not in use.
Connected Caregiver Alerts: Sends proactive updates to family or caregivers — not just emergency SOS signals.
Human-Centered Design: Looks and feels like a modern walking aid, helping elders maintain dignity and confidence.

Click Here For Full Presentation

PROJECT GOAL

Shrigopal’s mission was not merely to build a device, but to address a human problem: the loss of confidence and independence among the elderly due to mobility fears.

Core Goals:

Reduce the risk of falls through predictive assistance rather than reactive alerts.
Restore emotional confidence and dignity for elderly users.
Reassure families with smart, non-intrusive caregiver connectivity.
Demonstrate how youth-led innovation can bridge empathy and technology for social good.

In his own words, “Technology is most powerful when it restores human independence.”

CONCLUSION

The Smart Saathi project represents the outcome of a ten-week mentorship - a combination of technical learning, user empathy, and design iteration. The presentation sparked meaningful discussion about privacy, ethics, and scalability, helping Shrigopal refine his roadmap for future development.

Next Steps:

Expand real-world user testing with elderly participants and caregivers.
Integrate advanced AI features for data-driven fall prediction.
Incorporate data privacy and user consent features based on expert feedback.
Launch the prototype in innovation competitions and prepare for commercialization or further research collaborations.

Shrigopal aims to evolve Smart Saathi into a fully functional product - one that empowers millions of aging individuals to walk safely and confidently every day.

Parent's Feedback

"Over the past few weeks - just seven sessions, really - I’ve seen a quiet but meaningful shift in my son. He’s always been a bit on the introverted side, especially in new or unfamiliar settings.

But through VisionnaireX program, I’ve watched him slowly begin to blossom - both in his thinking and in his sense of self.

Florentina has been such a generous and kind mentor. Her willingness to go beyond the scheduled time and extend each session to one and a half hours speaks volumes about the kind of support he’s received. And it’s made a real difference.

He’s been working with her on designing Smart Saathi, and this project has truly sparked something in him. I can see him thinking more deeply, questioning, refining, and building with purpose. It’s no longer just an assignment — it’s become something personal and meaningful to him.

As a mother, there’s nothing more fulfilling than watching your child grow into themselves - slowly, steadily, and with quiet confidence. This experience has played a beautiful role in that journey."

About VisionnaireX
VisionnaireX – The Future Leaders & Innovators Foundry – connects high school and university students with global industry mentors through 1:1 Passion Projects and cohort-based Innovation Programs. Students gain real-world experience in innovation, strategy, and entrepreneurship, guided by mentors from global organizations such as Google, Tesla, and McKinsey.

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