Munich Startup: What does your startup do? What problem do you solve?
SmartAIs: Blind people face many challenges every day when they're outdoors. The biggest problem? Constantly bumping into objects on the sidewalk with their cane or body. This is frustrating and exhausting.
We solve this problem with an easy-to-use smartphone app, which uses smartphone cameras and artificial intelligence to analyze the environment in real time and warns of objects. This way, users always know exactly whether there are objects in front of them – and can avoid them in time. While in use, the smartphone is simply stored in a specially designed breast pocket. What sounds simple is a true technical innovation: We are the first company to bring an advanced computer-based vision system to the smartphone.
Our long-term vision? A multifunctional AI assistant that provides support in a wide variety of everyday situations – thus enabling more freedom and independence in everyday life.
Support when walking with a cane
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
SmartAIs: Not at all! Canes only detect objects close to the ground, and you have to constantly concentrate. Guide dogs are extremely expensive, costing €40,000, and are rarely available. Conventional laser- or ultrasound-based detection systems generate many false alarms and are therefore more likely to cause confusion. Other AI solutions use specialized hardware that is expensive, heavy, and impractical. We were the first company to bring a smartphone assistant to assist you while walking with a cane.
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
SmartAIs: In 2023, Yamen and Said—with their backgrounds in AI, robotics, and computer vision—asked whether such technologies could also be used to help disadvantaged groups. The idea: If you can teach robots to see, you can also develop helpful support for blind people.
Sascha joined the project after the two had spent a few months driving it forward alongside their jobs and studies, bringing with him extensive know-how in building startups. In early 2024, Anika joined the team through the UnternehmerTUM Digital Product School, bringing with her important skills in user-centered development.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
SmartAIs: The biggest challenge was and remains balancing precision with usability—and thus creating a solution that truly helps. Developing an app for people who are visually impaired requires entirely new UX principles.
Our approach: developing in close collaboration with those affected, engaging in conversations, taking walks together, and testing frequently and early on. And: continuous exchange with organizations for the blind – because they know best what is truly needed. Developing in close collaboration with users and receiving direct feedback – whether positive or critical – is precisely what motivates us every day.
Pioneer for AI-based everyday assistance
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where in five years?
SmartAIs: In one year we have successfully completed the sale of our Solution launched – and the blind community sees us as one of the pioneers in the development of AI-based everyday aids. In five years, many people around the world will be using our multifunctional assistant, which supports them with a wide variety of everyday challenges.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
SmartAIs: Munich offers a strong startup network, access to funding, and a high density of tech talent. There are many opportunities, especially in the field of AI. If you want to start a business in Germany, then Munich is the place to start! At the same time, we would like to see more visibility and exchange between startups with social impact – there's still room for improvement here.
Munich Startup: Outsource or do it yourself?
SmartAIs: Both! Our goal is to cover strategically important areas with our team – especially UX, AI development, and community engagement. For specialized technical or legal topics, we specifically rely on external partners. The key for us is a clear focus: We do everything that concerns users and our core technology ourselves.
