AT2030 venture Hope Tech Unveils ‘The Sixth Sense’ Mobility Aid at Royal Academy of Engineering, Marking Major Milestone in Assistive Technology
The Royal Academy of Engineering played host to the launch of The Sixth Sense, a groundbreaking mobility aid designed for blind and visually impaired people, on Friday, September 19th. The event brought together innovators, researchers, and advocates from across the assistive technology sector, with Hope Tech at the centre of the celebration.
Speaking during the launch, Brian Mwenda, the CEO, said, "After almost 10 years of dreaming, building, failing, learning, and trying again… we are finally here. This has been a journey across four continents, with incredible engineers, organisations, and most importantly, the users who gave their time and experiences to shape the product. I am overwhelmed with pride to finally share this moment with the Hope Tech team and all our partners."
Hope Tech’s journey has been closely intertwined with GDI Hub, having been part of the inaugural cohort of Innovate Now Africa’s first Assistive Technology Accelerator, delivered under the AT2030 programme. Since its inception, Innovate Now has supported more than 60 startups, and more than 100 entrepreneurs, providing mentorship, expert guidance, and structured learning on user needs, market fit, product development, and business growth. The programme also connects innovators with clinical partners and Live Labs, enabling direct product testing with disabled people.
Following their graduation from Innovate Now, Hope Tech expanded internationally, establishing a UK presence, launching a subsidiary in Austria, and opening Senses Hub in Nairobi now one of Africa’s largest assistive tech research and innovation centres. GDI Hub continues to support Hope Tech with evaluation and onboarding, leveraging academic and scientific expertise.
The unveiling of The Sixth Sense was more than a product launch; it was a testament to the power of collaboration across global ecosystems. Hope Tech has participated in several Royal Academy of Engineering programmes, including the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation and the Leaders in Innovation Fellowship. The timing is especially significant as the Royal Academy and GDI Hub prepare to co-host a symposium in Nepal on inclusive, community-led assistive technology solutions, with Hope Tech set to participate.
Professor Catherine Holloway, Co-founder and Academic Director of the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub), addressed attendees, emphasizing the critical role of user-led design, strong partnerships, and thriving innovation ecosystems in bringing transformative products like The Sixth Sense to market.
The Sixth Sense will initially be available to selected users in the UK and Austria via a waitlist, with a wider release planned for December 2025. Interested users can sign up at https://www.hopetech.vision/waitlist.
About Innovate Now
Innovate Now is a Kenyan-based AT accelerator originally established by the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub). It is implemented in Kenya by Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA) and funded by NORAD. The accelerator is now delivered by AT4D - a Kenyan not-for-profit (OPD) spun out from the Innovate Now initiative in 2024.
