Jo Rudzki
Head of Partnerships & Events
At TBAT Innovation, we love celebrating innovators creating meaningful change, and Mavis Technologies is one of those standout success stories.
As a TBAT Innovation Challenge 2025 finalist, Mavis Technologies has emerged as a promising force in assistive tech. Their commitment to supporting people with visual impairments, combined with thoughtful, cutting‑edge engineering, reflects exactly the type of forward‑thinking the Innovation Challenge aims to highlight.
We’re excited to introduce the incredible AI smart glasses they’re bringing to the world: Mavis Viaro and Mavis Itero, created to make everyday life more accessible for blind and low‑vision people.
The official launch of the Mavis Viaro and Mavis Itero on April 7th 2026, marked a major milestone for Mavis Technologies. Designed with both functionality and personal expression in mind, the two models offer distinct aesthetic styles while delivering the same robust suite of assistive features.
This launch showcases years of R&D, informed by direct engagement with visually impaired users and backed by the companies in house engineering capabilities. By bringing Viaro and Itero to market, Mavis Technologies isn’t just releasing new smart glasses, they’re introducing a flexible, AI‑powered platform that can grow and adapt as users’ needs change.
Mavis Technologies was created from the lived experience of its founder and CEO, David Sikharulidze, who is visually impaired and understands first-hand the challenges of navigating the world with limited sight. While completing his Master’s degree at the University of Northampton, David conducted research for his thesis titled “Smart glasses as a prosthesis for visually impaired and blind people.” This work highlighted significant gaps in existing assistive technologies, especially the lack of customisation and the absence of truly user-centred design.
Motivated to build a solution that adapts to each individual, David founded Mavis Technologies with the goal of developing innovative smart wearables that increase independence in daily life. The company now continues to expand its capabilities through the recently launched Mavis Smart Glasses, Viaro, and Itero.
Available in two aesthetic styles, the Mavis Viaro and Mavis Itero, benefit from:
Built‑in microphones pick up voice commands, and speakers deliver clear audio feedback, while a vibration motor or buzzer provides haptic alerts, which are especially useful in noisy environments.
All interactions are designed to be simple and hands‑free, using a combination of voice commands and minimal button presses.
The glasses are designed and manufactured in Northampton, UK, and the in-house development of hardware, software, and firmware allows the team to introduce new features quickly in response to user feedback. With built-in connectivity, up to four hours of battery life, and a fast-charging case, the glasses are built for practical everyday use and offer greater safety, improved situational awareness, and increased personal independence.
Looking ahead, Mavis Technologies aims to become a global leader in AI-driven assistive wearables and to ensure that personalised technology is available to everyone who needs it.
“As someone who is visually impaired, creating these smart glasses was deeply personal for me. I wanted to build a solution that truly understands the needs of the blind and visually impaired community—something adaptable, empowering, and built with care. At Mavis Technologies, we develop everything in-house and listen closely to our users, allowing us to deliver a device that improves independence and quality of life in a meaningful way.” David Sikharulidze, Founder & CEO, Mavis Technologies
We spoke to David about the company’s experience in the 2025 programme, the impact of becoming a finalist, and how the Challenge supported their journey toward launching their product. David explained that being selected as a finalist highlighted the innovation, impact, and potential of the smart glasses. The recognition helped reaffirm the team’s belief in their product and opened doors to wider recognition. Mavis Technologies had an excellent experience participating in the TBAT Innovation Challenge, with TBAT Innovation and their partners providing significant support, especially around R&D and grants. David notes that the TBAT newsletter is one of the few he reads fully from start to finish because of its practical, actionable insights.
If you’re interested in seeing what they’ve created, or know someone who might benefit, you can now explore or purchase the smart glasses directly through the Mavis online store on their company website.
The TBAT Innovation Challenge 2026 is now open, offering UK businesses a unique opportunity to advance their innovation journey. Through free expert-led workshops, funding, and tailored support, ambitious start-ups and established tech-driven companies can refine their ideas, gain exposure, and compete for a £50,000 R&D cash prize* and bespoke support packages.
Oxford-based startup A&B Smart Materials has raised an oversubscribed £1.5M Pre-Seed round to accelerate the development of fully biodegradable superabsorbent polymers for hygiene and agricultural applications. Winner's of the 2025 TBAT Innovation Challenge, the company is tackling the growing environmental impact of synthetic SAPs while targeting a global market projected to reach $17 billion by 2035.
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