Perak Students Win Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 With Smart Headset for Visually Impaired Individuals

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Imagine having to navigate familiar surroundings after suddenly losing your sight. Everyday activities such as walking through a corridor, avoiding obstacles or moving around an unfamiliar building could become significantly more challenging.

For a group of secondary school students from Perak, this was the problem they wanted to address through technology. Their solution, a smart wearable headset designed to detect nearby obstacles and provide audio warnings, has now earned them the top prize at Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026.

Representing MRSM Bagan Datuk, Team InnovateZ emerged as the overall champion of the national innovation competition organised by Samsung Malaysia Electronics in collaboration with Universiti Malaya.

Their winning invention, called TheVisionSense, combines Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology with ultrasound sensors to help individuals with newly acquired visual impairments navigate their surroundings more safely and independently.

The achievement is particularly significant considering that the competition involved students aged just 13 to 15, challenging them to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) knowledge to develop practical solutions for real-world problems.

Team InnovateZ received Samsung products worth up to RM47,000 after outperforming four other finalist teams at the competition's Grand Finale.

Team InnovateZ presents TheVisionSense prototype to the panel of judges, demonstrating how the wearable device is designed to detect obstacles and provide real-time audio alerts to support safer, more independent navigation.

TheVisionSense: A Smart Headset Designed to Help People Navigate Independently
What makes TheVisionSense interesting is the specific challenge it attempts to solve. Rather than creating another general-purpose gadget, the students focused on people who have recently experienced vision loss and may still be adjusting to navigating their surroundings without sight.

The headset is designed to identify obstacles using a combination of LiDAR and ultrasound sensors, which collect information about objects within the device's detection range.

When an obstacle is detected, the system provides real-time audio alerts, giving the wearer information that could help them recognise potential hazards while moving through their environment.

LiDAR technology works by using light to measure distances, while ultrasonic sensors use sound waves to detect nearby objects. By incorporating both technologies, the students developed a prototype intended to improve environmental awareness for people with visual impairments.

The concept is particularly relevant to individuals who have recently lost their sight, as they may need to develop new ways of understanding and navigating spaces that were previously familiar.

Although TheVisionSense remains a student-developed prototype, its purpose goes beyond demonstrating technical knowledge. The team hopes the device could eventually contribute towards greater independence and confidence for individuals experiencing vision loss.

The competition judges recognised the project for its creativity, application of STEM principles and potential to deliver meaningful benefits to the community.

Team InnovateZ's winning innovation, TheVisionSense, is a smart rehabilitation headset designed to support newly visually impaired individuals in navigating their surroundings more safely and independently.

From a Classroom Idea to a National Innovation Champion
Winning the competition was not simply a matter of presenting an interesting concept. Team InnovateZ had to develop its idea through several stages before reaching the national finale.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 attracted 106 entries involving 424 students nationwide, with participants invited to develop solutions across four themes: Environmental Sustainability, Sport and Technology, Health, and Education.

Following the initial evaluation process, the 10 shortlisted teams advanced to the semi-final stage, where they refined their proposals, developed working prototypes and participated in a Design Thinking Workshop.

Five teams subsequently progressed to the Grand Finale, where they presented their innovations before a panel of judges.

For Team InnovateZ, the journey came with challenges, making the eventual victory even more meaningful.

"Being able to achieve first place makes us really happy, especially after all the challenges we faced throughout the journey. We don't hear as much about solutions for people with visual impairments, and that inspired us to create this headset to help them," the team from MRSM Bagan Datuk shared.

"Finally achieving what we had worked so hard for made us feel that all our efforts were worth it. We hope future generations will come up with even more exciting and powerful ideas, and help make Malaysia better known around the world through technology and innovation."

Their remarks reflect a motivation beyond winning a competition. By identifying a challenge faced by a particular community, the students demonstrated how technology can be approached as a means of solving everyday problems rather than simply creating something new.

Five Finalist Teams, Five Different Solutions to Real-World Problems
While TheVisionSense took the top honour, the other four finalists also presented innovations addressing different social, environmental and safety challenges.

Team iSafePath secured Second Prize with iSafePath 2.0, an adaptive road-safety platform designed to improve safety at high-risk pedestrian crossings.

The system uses real-time detection and two-way alerts to help pedestrians and drivers become more aware of potential hazards, particularly in areas where crossing roads may involve additional risks.

The team received Samsung products worth up to RM30,000.

Meanwhile, Team Replast claimed Third Prize with an environmentally focused project that converts recycled plastic waste into durable, water-resistant bricks for use in more sustainable construction.

The innovation explores how discarded plastic materials could be repurposed into useful building products, addressing both waste management and the demand for alternative construction materials.

Team Replast received Samsung products worth up to RM19,000.

The remaining two finalists were Team EcoTerraNitro, which secured Fourth Prize with its EcoTerraNitro project, and Team Primates, which received Fifth Prize for its innovation of the same name.

The two teams received Samsung products worth up to RM10,000 and RM8,000, respectively.

Although their projects addressed different issues, the finalists shared a common approach of applying science and technology to challenges affecting communities or the environment.

The five finalist teams of Solve for Tomorrow 2026: (from top left) Team iSafePath, Team InnovateZ, Team Replast, Team Primates and (from bottom left) Team EcoTerraNitro, at the Grand Finale with their product prizes.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Encourages Students to Turn Ideas Into Solutions
Organised by Samsung Malaysia Electronics in collaboration with Universiti Malaya, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is an educational initiative aimed at encouraging young Malaysians to explore how STEM knowledge can be applied beyond the classroom.

The programme challenges students to identify problems affecting their communities before developing ideas that could contribute towards practical solutions.

Participants also gain opportunities to strengthen their critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving abilities through activities such as prototype development, design thinking and presentations.

According to Agnes Wong, Head of Corporate Marketing at Samsung Malaysia Electronics, the programme reflects the company's belief in the ability of young people to challenge conventional thinking and develop meaningful innovations.

"At Samsung, we believe innovation begins with the confidence to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and take action. We are incredibly proud of what these young innovators have achieved and look forward to seeing them continue to grow as the changemakers of tomorrow," she said.

The collaboration with Universiti Malaya also gives students an opportunity to experience a more structured innovation process, from identifying a problem to refining their solutions and presenting their ideas for evaluation.

Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Mas Sahidayana Mohktar, Director of the Universiti Malaya STEM Centre, highlighted the quality of the ideas submitted by this year's participants.

"The quality of ideas presented this year reflects the talent, creativity and determination of young Malaysians. Through Solve for Tomorrow, students gained valuable hands-on experience in applying STEM knowledge to solve real-world challenges while developing the skills needed to become future innovators and changemakers," she said.

For Team InnovateZ, the achievement also draws attention to the importance of developing technology with a clear understanding of the people it is intended to help.

While further development and testing would be necessary before TheVisionSense could become a practical rehabilitation aid, the prototype demonstrates how students as young as 13 to 15 can identify an accessibility challenge and use engineering principles to explore a possible solution.