Every day, people navigate unique circumstances that shape how they live and interact with their surroundings. At Samsung, we hold fast to our commitment to enhance daily experiences for everyone, developing solutions and technologies that empower people to experience a more personal and impactful world.
Reflecting on this purpose as we mark this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we turn the spotlight to inspiring solutions developed by youth in Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow (SFT) 2025—our global flagship corporate social responsibility program now in its 15th year. The program encourages students to address local and global issues using STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), and we have seen innovative solutions developed by the next generation of changemakers committed to break barriers and drive equity within their communities.
Innovating for Independence in Sports
Many of us stay healthy, build friendships, and enjoy the thrill of competition and achievement through sports and physical activity. Yet, individuals living with disabilities often face barriers when taking part in such activities.
Inspired by real challenges faced by the community and even close friends around them, some of our SFT teams explored how the intersection of sports and technological innovation can create meaningful opportunities for all to participate and compete. Projects from the Indonesia and Singapore teams were recognised for their innovative and impactful ideas, developed in line with SFT 2025’s new global theme—Social Change Through Sport & Technology—created in collaboration with the International Olympic Community.
Designed to help visually impaired runners navigate safely, RunSight combines smart glasses with a camera, earbuds, a computing unit, and a mobile app
Team LABMINO, winner for the University category in SFT Indonesia, were inspired by a close friend and avid runner who lives with impaired vision due to cataracts. This led them to create RunSight—a wearable device that recognises track lines, detects obstacles, and estimates depth in real time. As it works without internet connectivity, RunSight enables these individuals to run freely and independently, reducing their need for guide runners.
Team Pei Pei Hwa Hwa’s Ando Hypohidrosis Vest acts like a “mechanical sweat gland”, helping individuals with hypohidrosis stay cool during outdoor activities
In Singapore, Team Pei Pei Hwa Hwa set out to improve outdoor experiences for individuals living with hypohidrosis—a condition that limits the body’s ability to produce enough sweat and regulate heat. In tropical climates, overheating can pose a serious risk, often leaving individuals reliant on ice packs, portable fans, or even surgery to stay cool during outdoor activities. To address this, the team developed the Ando Hypohidrosis Vest, an energy-efficient solution designed to keep the wearer’s back cool by circulating chilled coolant, enabling them to participate in everyday outdoor activities and exercise.
Bridging Voices, Building Shared Understanding
Deaf and hard of hearing individuals often face difficulties with understanding others and being understood. This prompted our Australian SFT winner to create a solution to support clearer communication.
Access Lens helps both Deaf and hard of hearing Auslan users feel more confident, connected, and included in everyday conversations
Within Australia’s Deaf and hard of hearing community, accessible and affordable Auslan (Australian sign language) translation tools remain limited. Major Prize SFT winner, Faiz Noorani, created Access Lens, a real-time augmented reality solution that uses smart glasses or a smartphone camera to convert spoken English into Auslan. Designed to run locally, Access Lens enables clearer communications with English speakers while avoiding the common barriers of other translation platforms, such as delays, cloud fees, and advertisements. With his AUD$10,000 (~US$6,574) prize money, Faiz plans to enhance Access Lens’ features, expand its reach, and build strategic partnerships to support long-term impact.
Equitable Medical Access and Early Intervention
AI SpineCheck provides a quick and easy way to screen children for scoliosis risk
In Thailand, Team AI SpineCheck set out to improve early detection of scoliosis after seeing many high school students needing spinal braces or surgery due to late diagnosis-leading to higher treatment costs for more advanced cases. Current screening methods often depend on medical personnel and can be inaccessible or inconsistent for local communities. AI SpineCheck simplifies this process with an AI-powered platform that analyses photos to assess spinal alignment. This offers a more accessible and convenient way to screen for scoliosis, supporting early intervention and better health outcomes.
Creating Better Accessibility and User-Centered Design for All
A key part of inclusion is not only designing innovations specifically for persons with disabilities, but ensuring everyday products and services meet the needs of all users, regardless of ability. Guided by this philosophy, Samsung devices, appliances, and solutions are designed to be inclusive, intuitive and convenient for all.
Visibility enhancement settings on the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo
Our 2025 Bespoke AI home appliances incorporate more streamlined control experiences that empower all users—including those with limited mobility—towards comfortable and accessible use. With simple voice commands, such as “Open the fridge door” to cue features like Auto Open Door for refrigerators[1], or “I’m going to sleep” to turn off lights and appliances via SmartThings routine once its set up[2]—users can manage their home hands-free. The Bespoke AI Pump Combo also features a large, easy-to-read digital display that replaces traditional dials and small text for smoother wash-cycle selection.
Guided by an accessibility-first approach, we constantly refine our designs across product development cycles, working closely with users to test and enhance usability. For instance, Samsung added audio guidance, color inversion or grayscale modes in their screen-equipped appliances for users with visual impairments. To make Samsung appliances easier to navigate, it keeps discovering new ways to enhance accessibility as shown in the award-winning[3] “Samsung Inclusive Essentials” concept, which aims to standardise sensory cues across products.
Building a More Inclusive Future Together
By seamlessly weaving intelligent, inclusive technology into everyday life, Samsung ensures that everyone—regardless of ability or environment—can enjoy connected and personalised experiences. From empowering communities through programs like Solve for Tomorrow to embedding accessibility into our products and services, we remain committed to enabling individuals to live more independently and open up more possibilities for people in their daily life.
[1] Products and models equipped with the feature may vary by market
[2] Requires a wireless network, a Samsung account and the Samsung SmartThings App. Must be manually set up by the user to trigger this command.
[3] At the 2025 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), Samsung received a Gold Award for its “Samsung Inclusive Essentials” concept in the Concepts & Speculative Design category