Founded in 2016 by Sanskriti Dawle, Dilip Ramesh, Aman Srivastava, and Saif Shaikh, Thinkerbell Labs has emerged as a pioneering force in the realm of assistive technology for the visually impaired.
Headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka, the startup is on a mission to address the alarming global literacy rates among the visually impaired, which hover at a mere 1% in India, 4% in the UK, and 10% in the USA.
The founders recognized that Braille literacy is directly correlated with employability and independence, making their endeavor all the more critical.
The Challenge
The necessity for innovative solutions in Braille literacy cannot be overstated.
Traditional learning methods, which require constant supervision and hand-holding from special educators, result in lengthy learning periods, often taking a full year for a student to grasp the basics of reading, writing, and typing in Braille.
The existing teaching methods are largely primitive, utilizing non-interactive content that fails to engage students effectively.
Moreover, the unfavorable teacher-student ratio leads to inadequate supervision, prolonging the learning process for visually impaired students.
The challenges extend beyond the classroom. Guardians often lack awareness of how to assist their children’s education, and there is a shortage of qualified special educators.
Governments and educational bodies find it difficult to meet learning outcomes due to the high costs associated with training and hiring special educators.
This multi-faceted problem highlighted the urgent need for a solution that could facilitate independent learning for visually impaired students.
The Innovative Solution: Annie
In response to these challenges, Thinkerbell Labs developed Annie®, the world’s first self-learning device for Braille literacy.
With its gamified and interactive content, Annie transforms the learning process from a tedious chore into a fun and engaging experience.
The device comprises tactile hardware modules designed to teach Braille, accompanied by a soothing human voice that guides students through lessons, eliminating the need for constant supervision.
Annie provides instant evaluation of student responses, offering smart corrective feedback that helps reinforce learning.
The innovative design allows visually impaired students to learn to read, write, and type in Braille independently, making it a game-changer in the educational landscape for the visually impaired.
Why Annie Stands Out
Annie is not just a device, it’s a comprehensive learning ecosystem.
It connects easily with special educators, enabling them to monitor multiple students simultaneously, thereby maximizing their efficiency.
The device is inclusive, making it accessible for parents and regular teachers in mainstream schools, thus fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Annie’s user-friendly interface, lightweight design, and curated content suitable for all age groups contribute to its appeal.
The built-in speakers deliver optimal acoustics, enhancing the learning experience. The device offers features such as twin large Braille cells for reading, a universal design for typing, and a digitized writing slate that provides instant feedback.
The gamified content engages students through challenges and tests, ensuring that learning remains enjoyable and effective.
Annie’s connectivity options, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allow for seamless integration with various educational tools, making it a versatile resource in any learning environment.
The Journey of Thinkerbell Labs
Thinkerbell Labs traces its roots back to an independent research project at BITS Pilani, Goa Campus, where the co-founders initially developed a Braille alphabet song box using a Raspberry Pi.
The overwhelmingly positive feedback from visually impaired students and educators underscored the pressing need for a dedicated Braille literacy device, prompting the team to learn Braille themselves.
This hands-on experience informed the development of Annie, aligning the product closely with the actual needs of its users.
In 2016, the startup was incubated by MassChallenge UK, gaining valuable exposure and resources.
The co-founders had the unique opportunity to present their innovation to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who were introduced to the device by learning to type “George” in Braille.
The recognition and support from influential figures, including Anand Mahindra and the Indian Angel Network, propelled Thinkerbell Labs toward its vision of creating an inclusive world.
Partnerships and Recognition
Since its inception, Thinkerbell Labs has formed strategic partnerships with various governmental bodies and organizations, including the governments of Jharkhand, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as schools and educational institutions in India and abroad.
These collaborations are vital in disseminating Annie across various regions, ensuring that more visually impaired students have access to this groundbreaking technology.
The startup’s journey has been marked by an impressive array of accolades.
Among its achievements, Thinkerbell Labs was awarded the Social Alpha Quest for Assistive Technologies in 2019, recognized as a Global Finalist at the Entrepreneurship World Cup in 2020, among other honors.
These achievements highlight the significant impact Annie is making in the realm of assistive technology and underscore Thinkerbell Labs’ commitment to promoting independence for the visually impaired.
A Vision for the Future
Thinkerbell Labs envisions a world where visually impaired individuals can lead independent lives and actively contribute to their communities.
With Annie, the dream of accessible and effective Braille literacy is transforming into a reality, empowering students to learn and grow at their own pace.
As the startup forges ahead with its mission, it remains committed to innovating and expanding its reach, becoming a guiding light in the pursuit of inclusivity in education.
Through Annie and its dynamic learning ecosystem, Thinkerbell Labs aims to create a future where every visually impaired student has the opportunity to thrive and realize their full potential.
