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In this episode of Trending Echoes, Elyazia Al Hosani speaks with Dr. Jean-Marc Feghali, Director of Innovation at WeWalk, about inclusive technology, visual impairment, and how lived experience can shape meaningful innovation.

Dr Feghali shares his personal journey growing up in Abu Dhabi with congenital visual impairment and how it led him to pursue engineering, mobility research, and eventually co-founding WeWalk—a smart mobility solution designed to empower people with visual impairments. The conversation explores how traditional tools like the white cane can be enhanced through thoughtful technology, without replacing their core purpose.

The episode also delves into systems engineering, user-led design, academic–industry collaboration, and the responsible use of AI and computer vision in assistive technologies. From real user stories to global recognition, research scalability, personal challenges, and the importance of inclusive societies, this discussion highlights how innovation grounded in empathy can improve lives far beyond its original audience.

Chapters

00:00 — Welcome to Trending Echoes

00:02 — Guest Introduction: Dr Jean-Marc Feghali & WeWalk

00:29 — What Is WeWalk and Its Mission

02:05 — Understanding Visual Impairment

03:03 — Growing Up Visually Impaired in Abu Dhabi

04:44 — From Civil Engineering to Mobility Research

06:56 — Joining WeWalk and User-Led Innovation

08:22 — PhD Research and Systems Engineering Approach

10:09 — Balancing Technology with the Traditional White Cane

11:38 — Real User Stories and Global Impact

13:23 — UK Government Engagement & King’s Innovation Award

14:45 — Imperial College and Academic Collaboration

15:44 — Scaling Research, Industry Transition & Investment

18:18 — Personal Challenges, Vision Loss & Resilience

21:06 — AI, Computer Vision & Cautious Innovation

23:05 — Why Inclusive Design Benefits Everyone

24:52 — The Next Five Years for WeWalk

26:01 — Inclusivity, Society & the UAE Experience

28:05 — Advice to Young Innovators