Making MyVision Matter on a Global Stage

Where ambitious concepts and technical rigour collide to make a real difference

Will Fazackerley · 4 min read

Two people at the MyVision exhibition stand, one holding a smart cane handle, beside a table of coloured prototypes

“I became a designer to improve people’s lives; to make the world a better place.” It’s a common motivation. I have said it plenty, and I know plenty who say it. Of course, the reality of being a designer is much more complex and nuanced than this utopian vision might suggest – but there are some projects that get us closer to living this dream than others.

MyVision, spearheaded by Ramneek Ahluwalia and in association with Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow programme, is one of those projects. MyVision is a concept for a technology-enabled companion – designed to replace the traditional ‘white cane’ – that empowers people with visual impairments to move through the world confidently and independently.

I’ve just returned from the Winter Olympics in Milan, where the Solve for Tomorrow programme inaugurated its next generation of Global Ambassadors, bringing to a close our latest chapter of support for Ramneek – a first generation ambassador and programme winner from 2022.

A number of events and sessions culminated in an exhibition of the 12 ambassadors’ projects at SmartCityLab Milano, a short hop over the road from the Olympic Village: making the area abuzz with athletes and delegates from all around the globe. It was truly joyful to see a room full of young, passionate change-makers presenting their ideas for a better tomorrow, all rooted in making a difference to the lives of real people who face significant challenges in their day-to-day lives; be it through disability, socio-economic factors, or otherwise.

Standing in that room, watching delegates interact with our work, felt like the culmination of an intense couple of months. Our quest had been to create MyVision’s first working prototype. Bringing together Ramneek’s evolving concepts, fresh evaluation of the needs and existing behaviours of those with visual impairments, and Mettle’s technical design wizardry, we transitioned from sketch to working prototype in a matter of just a few working days.

Ramneek Ahluwalia holding a purple smart cane handle at the MyVision exhibition stand, with a row of prototypes on the table

MyVision pioneer Ramneek Ahluwalia presents her smart navigation aid at the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow exhibition in Milan, February 2026

Our aim was to showcase the overarching concept for MyVision and enable the audience to get a hands-on feel for the experience we are trying to create for those looking to navigate and explore spaces and environments on their own terms.

The biggest challenge was aligning the time available to an appropriate level of ambition. There are an incredible number of possible experiences, features and technologies that MyVision could aim for. Where should we start for an initial functional prototype? In these situations, we love to ask two questions. What’s our riskiest assumption? What’s most likely to let the concept down before we get to the next stage?

As a smart hardware system with inputs, outputs and all the computation in between, there is lots to prove with MyVision. A fundamental part of the proposition is that it detects obstacles and “safe” boundaries in a contactless manner. In this case, we focused on validating whether or not we could use a simple LiDAR system as a means to effectively detect obstacles in line of sight, in real-time, without the need for off-board computation. Visually impaired people need instant feedback about what’s around them, and MyVision needs to work off-grid, it can’t stop working just because an internet connection drops out.

Starting with a bench-top prototype looking only at LiDAR data on day one, through to battery-powered, exhibition-ready, visually-detailed prototype a couple of weeks later, we were able to present an experience that captured the essence of MyVision. Objects are detected in real-time and carefully tuned haptic feedback communicates this to the traveller. At last, we see that the core concept of MyVision has legs, and plenty of delegates were able to experience it all firsthand.

Three people smiling at the MyVision stand, next to a mannequin holding a smart cane and a Solve for Tomorrow sign

Jessie from Samsung and Will (me) photographed with Ramneek at Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow exhibition, celebrating MyVision.

And that’s the magic moment that many seek. Faces of delight and awe in those who are now able to “get it”. To understand what Ramneek and MyVision are trying to achieve. To start believing in what might be possible.

To come full circle, it is this kind of project that got me interested in becoming a designer. Not only is it centred around a product that’s aiming to improve the lives of those with visual impairments; it is a project that showcases what happens when ambitious trailblazers like Ramneek get the support and collaboration they deserve.