Cecilia Leung Tsz Shan
Graduate, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Winner, CLP Power and Institution of Engineering and Technology Hong Kong “Energy-saving and Low-carbon Innovation for Tomorrows Competition” Gold Award (Undergraduate Category)
“To make a world of difference with our creativity.”
Cecilia Leung Tsz-shan, a recent graduate of City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), has already made her mark as an innovator with her groundbreaking projects, the Visionary Navigation Insoles for the visually impaired and iWalk Smart Insoles for children. Her journey from student to award-winning inventor is an inspiring story of creativity, determination, and a commitment to social good.
Cecilia’s interest in innovation stems from her belief that creativity can change the world. She describes it as a fleeting spark that has to be captured and acted upon before it fades. CityUHK’s emphasis on cross-disciplinary collaboration and entrepreneurial initiatives, such as the HK Tech 300 programme, inspired her to turn her ideas into reality during her studies. Under the mentorship of her professors and with encouragement from her schoolmates, she refined her concepts and gained valuable insights that brought her projects to life.
Her award-winning project, the Visionary Navigation Insoles, is a transformative tool designed to improve the independence and confidence of individuals with visual impairments. By integrating advanced sensor technology and real-time haptic feedback, the insoles guide users safely without the need for traditional aids such as canes and guide dogs. Compact and discreet, the insoles fit seamlessly into any shoe and are paired with a smartphone app for GPS-based navigation. This innovative solution empowers visually impaired individuals to navigate their environment with dignity and independence.
Her second project, the iWalk Smart Insoles for children, focuses on detecting and correcting gait abnormalities during childhood, a critical period for musculoskeletal development. The insoles use embedded sensors to monitor walking patterns in real-time while providing corrective feedback through a companion app. This app features gamification elements such as interactive exercises that engage children and provide parents with insights into their child’s progress. By addressing gait issues early, the insoles can prevent long-term complications such as joint pain and poor posture.
The journey to success was not without challenges. Cecilia recalls facing setbacks during the prototyping phase, including issues with early 3D-printed designs that failed to meet size requirements. However, through persistence and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, she overcame these hurdles and turned them into opportunities for improvement. “Each failure became a stepping stone,” she says, reflecting on the importance of resilience and teamwork in achieving her goals.
Looking ahead, Cecilia is committed to refining and expanding her projects to maximise their impact. For the iWalk Smart Insoles, she plans to enhance the gamification features and improve the algorithms for greater precision. For the Visionary Navigation Insoles, she envisions integrating more advanced safety features and scaling production to reach a wider audience. By combining innovative technology with universal design principles, she aims to empower diverse communities and redefine how innovation can enhance human potential.
Cecilia Leung Tsz-shan’s story is a testament to the power of creativity and empathy in driving meaningful change. Whether helping a child develop healthy walking habits or giving a visually impaired individual the confidence to navigate their world, her mission is clear: to use innovation as a tool for social good.
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