ALMOURAFEK is a groundbreaking wearable device designed to empower the 253 million visually impaired individuals worldwide by enhancing their independence, safety, and confidence. Traditional tools like white canes, though helpful, are limited in preventing collisions, navigating stairs, or ensuring spatial awareness.
Imene Khanfir
Smart Aid Technologies - SATECH, Tunisia
Winner of:
Mada Innovation Award 2023
Supported Innovations:
Meanwhile, smartphone-based solutions, although more advanced, often demand high digital literacy and internet access—creating usability challenges, especially for visually impaired women who may be less comfortable using smartphones and are at greater risk of theft.
To bridge this gap, ALMOURAFEK combines a Time-of-Flight (TOF) camera with specialized artificial intelligence to analyze the user’s surroundings in real time. The device detects a range of obstacles and relays vital information audibly to the user through a Bluetooth earpiece that uses bone conduction technology. A key advantage of ALMOURAFEK is its ability to operate without internet connectivity, enabling users to rely on it in any environment without compromising privacy or performance.
Designed with simplicity and discretion in mind, ALMOURAFEK requires no training or setup—just activate and listen. The lightweight core module can be worn as a pendant with a battery life of approximately two hours. For extended use, it can be attached to thoughtfully designed accessories such as a comfortable scarf or a smart extension of a white cane, increasing battery life up to six hours while maintaining ease of use.
To further enhance its capabilities, the development team is creating ALMOURAFEK+, a companion mobile application that adds online features like object detection, facial recognition, and currency identification. By leveraging the device’s existing camera and earpiece, users can access these features hands-free while keeping their smartphones safely stored. This hybrid functionality bridges offline reliability with optional online versatility.
The creation of ALMOURAFEK was driven by direct engagement with visually impaired individuals, ensuring that the device responds to real-life challenges. Every aspect of the product—from its interface to its accessories, has been shaped by a deep understanding of user needs. As a result, ALMOURAFEK goes beyond assistive technology to become a true companion in daily life, providing greater mobility, confidence, and autonomy.
In recognition of its innovative impact, ALMOURAFEK was awarded the prestigious Mada Innovation Award in 2023 and was funded by the Mada Innovation Program. These honors reflect its commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and technological excellence. ALMOURAFEK is not just a product, it is a life-changing solution, built with empathy, intelligence, and purpose.