ARRIVAL LOUNGE
INVENTOR DRIVEN BY PROBLEM-SOLVING
Hamayal Choudhry, the founder of smartARM.
By LOVINA D’SOUZA
As a regular visitor to the Pan Am Sports Centre, I am continually inspired by the athletes who have triumphed over the challenges of limb loss.
Their resilience reminds me of Hamayal Choudhry, the visionary founder of smartARM.
Hamayal won Microsoft’s prestigious Imagine Cup when he was studying at Ontario Tech University in 2018. His concept of smartARM stood out among over 50,000 students worldwide. This achievement set the stage for the creation of a groundbreaking prosthetic arm powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
Hamayal describes smartARM as the world’s first bionic arm that uses AI-powered vision to assist amputees. “The built-in cameras observe objects that the user wants to grasp, while artificial intelligence automatically determines the optimal grip pattern. This technology serves both those born without arms and those who have undergone amputation due to injury, making it possible to perform daily tasks.
“My fascination for robotics began early on in life, and I’ve always believed that robots would become increasingly integrated into our daily lives. However, the prospect of industrial robotics never sparked my passion until I met someone who was born without her arm and that’s when I found my true calling. Her frustration with existing prosthetic technology made me realize I could combine my love for robotics with making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
“My journey has been incredible, learning invaluable lessons about prosthetics development and creating products that truly serve users’ needs.”
His participation in science camps ignited his desire to create innovative solutions and Air Cadets program helped him develop leadership skills. He says, “These activities expose you to diverse experiences and help you discover your true passion.”
Hamayal credits his success to the support he received along the way. “Microsoft has been a key supporter, helping amplify our mission, while our users’ continuous feedback has been crucial in guiding our development. As the company is growing, we’re seeing global interest in smartARM, and we’re currently navigating regulatory requirements across different countries to make the technology accessible worldwide.”
Originally from Pakistan, his parents immigrated to Canada when Hamayal was one year old.
“Leaving behind their entire support system and starting fresh in a new country took immense courage, but they made that leap of faith. They’ve worked tirelessly to support my siblings and me in pursuing our dreams, and they still do! Their journey and resilience have become my greatest source of strength. Watching them navigate cultural transitions and overcome obstacles has profoundly shaped my approach to challenges. Their immigrant journey isn’t just my background story – it’s my foundation for innovation and entrepreneurship.”
Hamayal Choudhry describes smartARM as the world’s first bionic arm that uses AI-powered vision to assist amputees.
Asked for advice for the next generation, Hamayal is modest.
“I’m not sure how I feel about being called inspirational – in truth, I’m simply trying to make the most of the opportunities I’ve been given. What drives me is problem-solving, and I was fortunate to discover a challenge that deeply resonated with me. I believe that’s what success looks like for all of us: finding problems in the world that spark our passion and working to solve them, whether big or small. It’s about looking around us with curiosity and purpose, then taking action to create positive change, even if it’s just one small step at a time. Just go out there and look for things you want to fix.”
Hamayal’s journey from a young robotics enthusiast to the founder and CEO of smartARM exemplifies the power of passion, persistence and purpose to improve the lives of people with upper-limb differences through cutting-edge technology.
• If you’d like to share the story of your arrival in Canada, please write to desinews@rogers.com or call 416-695-4357.