Trending Echoes Podcast S2 | When Vision Becomes Technology | Featuring Dr. Jean-Marc Feghali

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