IIT Kanpur Wins STEM Impact Award 2024 For Invention of Haptic Smartwatch for Blind

For the third consecutive year, IIT Kanpur has bagged the STEM Impact Awards 2024, recognising its significant socio-economic contributions through the technology transfer of the 'Haptic Smart Watch for the Blind & Visually Impaired' innovation. Get details here 

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has been honoured with the STEM Impact Awards 2024 for its significant contributions to technology transfer. This was presented during the annual STEM Summit in Bengaluru. IIT Kanpur has received this award for the third year in a row, honouring the socio-economic benefits derived from transferring the technology of the 'Haptic Smart Watch for Blind & Visually Impaired' invention.

On behalf of IIT Kanpur, Prof. Ankush Sharma, Professor In-charge, Start-up Incubation and Innovation Centre, IIT Kanpur; and Prof. Siddhartha Panda, Department of Chemical Engineering, and Coordinator of the National Centre of Flexible Electronics, (NCFlexE), IIT Kanpur jointly received the award from Mr. Alwin Wong, Chairman, Association of Technology Transfer Professional. 

About IIT Kanpur Invention: Haptic Smart Watch

The Haptic Smart Watch was developed in the year 2022 by Prof. Siddhartha Panda, Department of Chemical Engineering, and Coordinator, NCFlexE; and Mr. Vishwaraj Srivastava, from NCFlexE - an R&D Centre for Flexible Electronics at IIT Kanpur. This is a cost-effective smart wearable device with a touch-sensitive tactile interface that displays information using vibrations. 

This makes it more suitable for private usage compared to audio-based output devices available in the market. This technology has been licensed to Ambrane India Pvt. Ltd for mass manufacturing and sales. This invention was also honoured with the prestigious Best Assisted Technology Initiatives by Educational Institutes’ Award at the ATF (Assistive Technology Foundation) Awards 2023.

Prof. S. Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur, said, “This prestigious award emphasizes the expanding landscape of research and development at the institute, and we are delighted to receive recognition for the third time in a row. I congratulate Prof. Siddhartha Panda and the team involved in the revolutionary development of the 'Haptic Smart Watch for Blind and Visually Impaired'."

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