Teen Inventor Wins White House Award for Low-Cost AI Glasses That Aid Blind Navigation
Alexander Du, a 17-year-old student from Sewickley, Pennsylvania, has been named a 2026 Presidential AI Challenge National Champion for creating IRIS, an affordable AI-powered wearable designed to assist visually impaired individuals. The device costs $170, a fraction of the $6,000 price tag of commercial alternatives, and functions as a virtual guide dog by mapping surroundings in real-time 3D and providing directional vibration feedback to avoid obstacles. Du developed the system after witnessing his grandmother struggle with blindness, aiming to restore her independence. The glasses operate offline, feature GPS navigation, and include an AI assistant for text transcription and scene description. Du was recognized at the White House by First Lady Melania Trump and also received the Barron Prize 2026. Although his grandmother passed away before the project’s completion, Du remains committed to making the technology accessible to millions.