Business Remedies | Rajshree Upadhyaya | May 24,2025 | Millions of visually impaired children are deprived of quality education. However, to address this gap, Sanskriti Dawle and Aman Srivastava took the initiative and, through the Bengaluru-based edtech startup Thinkerbell Labs, created Annie-the world’s first self-learning Braille literacy device. Designed specifically for children, Annie has set a benchmark in India and globally.
Annie empowers users to independently read, write, and type in Braille using a combination of tactile feedback, audio-guided lessons, and gamified learning. The journey began at BITS Pilani Goa Campus, where Sanskriti and Aman built a Braille alphabet song box using a Raspberry Pi as part of a college project. The prototype read Braille letters aloud when interacted with and was highly appreciated by visually impaired students and teachers. Motivated by the impact of the early version, Dawle and Srivastava co-founded Thinkerbell Labs in 2016, along with fellow students Dilip Ramesh and Saif Shaikh. The name “Annie” pays tribute to Anne Sullivan, the dedicated teacher of Helen Keller, symbolizing empowerment through education.
A Comprehensive Learning Ecosystem
Annie was developed with empathy and refined through technology. It functions as a complete learning ecosystem, allowing children to progress at their own pace without constant teacher supervision. The device combines tactile hardware, including standard and large Braille cells for practice. A warm, human-like voice guides learners step-by-step in multiple languages including English, Hindi, and Kannada. The content is thoughtfully gamified to make learning fun and interactive, while real-time feedback helps students correct their mistakes instantly.
Annie connects with a companion platform called Helios, enabling teachers and parents to assign lessons, track progress, and personalize remote learning.
Adopted by Over 80 Educational Centers in 16 Indian States
Annie has made a transformative impact. It has been adopted in more than 80 educational centers across 16 Indian states, ranging from schools in Ranchi and Bangalore to specialized institutions serving the visually impaired. Teachers have reported that Annie helps them manage multiple students more efficiently, while students describe the learning experience as more engaging and empowering.
In 2022, Thinkerbell Labs gained national attention after appearing in the first season of Shark Tank India. Their pitch impressed both the investors and the public, resulting in the biggest deal of the season-1.05 crore for 3% equity from Namita Thapar, Peyush Bansal, and Anupam Mittal.
Following this success, Annie expanded internationally under the brand name Polly. Through partnerships with global organizations like the American Printing House for the Blind and HumanWare, the device has entered the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland.
Annie’s innovation has received global acclaim, including being named among TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2022 and support from initiatives like MIT Solve, Google for Startups, and Autodesk. It was also demonstrated to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their visit to India and has received backing from industrialist Anand Mahindra, an early investor via Indian Angel Network.
Committed to Scaling Global Impact
Thinkerbell Labs continues to refine Annie using platforms like Autodesk Fusion to improve its ergonomic design, making it more accessible, durable, and user-friendly. Team Annie is committed to expanding its global impact, working towards a future where no child is left behind in the pursuit of literacy. What began as a simple college project has now become a symbol of inclusive education. Annie is not just a device, it is a movement bringing dignity, independence, and opportunity to visually impaired children around the world, one Braille cell at a time.
Written & Edited By:
Rajshree Upadhyaya
