Summary:
A 19-year-old Israeli teen developed an AI-powered safety system for wheelchair users using cameras, sensors, and a smartphone app.
The innovation was highlighted at a New York fundraiser by Unistream, a nonprofit training youth from underserved communities in entrepreneurship.
The device provides voice and visual alerts to help users avoid obstacles, enhancing mobility and safety for people with physical disabilities.
Inspired by volunteering at the ILAN Association, the startup aims to make a real difference in the community and address accessibility needs.
The teen also participated in initiatives to improve youth advocacy for Israel, emphasizing peer-to-peer dialogue for global impact.
Unistream's New York Showcase
The event, organized by Unistream founding chairman Rony Zarom, Yael Zarom, and CEO Ifat Bechor, featured young mentalist Nevo Abutbul, who captivated the audience with his performance. Three Unistream graduates then shared their personal stories: Roze Abo Hamda, a law student at Tel Aviv University; Zohar Shohat, who is doing a year of service with the Jewish community in Palm Beach, Florida; and Aviel Bitton, a pre-military academy student from Be’er Sheva.
Aviel Bitton's Innovative Startup
Bitton, 19, stood out for his innovative social startup that helps people with physical disabilities who use motorized wheelchairs move safely. During his three years in the Unistream program, he served as group CEO at age 17 and developed a safety device that uses cameras and sensors to detect and alert users to obstacles through voice and visual cues on a smartphone app. The system, powered by artificial intelligence, aims to help users navigate freely without fear of collisions or hazards.
Inspiration from Community Engagement
“Our venture grew out of meetings with members of the ILAN Association’s day center in Be’er Sheva, who highlighted the need for a way to prevent accidents for people in wheelchairs,” Bitton said. “I have known the center since I was a child because my mother works there, and volunteering with them inspired me to create something that could make a real difference.”
Commitment to Community and Advocacy
Now in his second year of pre-military academy, Bitton chose to remain in his hometown to continue giving back to the community that raised him. After October 7, he joined a special Unistream hackathon focused on improving Israeli advocacy among youth worldwide.
“In our group, we agreed that one of the biggest problems with Israeli advocacy is that it is not accessible to young people,” he said. “A teenager in Boston or Berlin will not relate to an older politician in a suit, but they might connect with someone their age sharing what life is like during the war. Real dialogue between young Israelis and their peers abroad can create real change.”
Bitton was one of 14 Jewish, Druze, and Arab participants in the initiative. “Even if we changed just a little, we did something good,” he said. “Meeting donors in New York gave me strength. It is heartening to see that people abroad truly want to support Israel’s periphery and the next generation.”
Unistream's Global Impact
Unistream CEO Ifat Bechor said the trip to New York was an opportunity to strengthen global connections. “We were very excited to present our activities to the community and business leaders,” she said. “Today more than ever, especially after the past two years, international support for Israel and for our work is essential. Our graduates’ success shows how deeply entrepreneurship can shape lives and communities.”
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