India's very own Tunir Sahoo, a student of IIM Kashipur, has grabbed a gigantic win for India at the 20th James Dyson Award. His creation, JivaScope—a tiny, AI-powered device to enable self-screening of lung and heart disease in minutes—has been declared the national winner for 2025. For it, Tunir is set to receive prize money of around ₹6 lakhs (£5,000) as well as the chance to compete globally for the top prize of ₹35 lakhs (£30,000).
The Idea Behind JivaScope
The idea was born as Tunir spent days on in-field visits to rural Bihar, witnessing firsthand the misery of patients waiting days for even a most rudimentary chest exam, with just one doctor attending thousands. The most serious asthma, pneumonia, and heart failure cases were being overlooked due to the lack of proper screening instruments.
Motivated by these statistics, Tunir invented JivaScope—a affordable, portable tool that does not require a doctor, internet, or even power. Leveraging AI-powered auscultation (the science and art of listening to lung and heart sounds), JivaScope puts early diagnosis in the hands of people.
Recalling his triumph, Tunir stated:
"Winning the James Dyson Award is a dream fulfilled. I created JivaScope so that people, even in the remotest parts of India, can receive on-time screening without waiting hours upon hours or miles upon miles. This award attests to that vision and gives me hope that affordable, accessible healthcare can truly reach millions."
What Experts Say
Dr. Priyanka Kulshreshtha, Indoor Air Quality and Health Expert, who judged the entries, summarized it well:
"Pursuing innovation is about turning problems into opportunities. Each project I saw was for a seeming reason—making things better for humans. JivaScope is a fantastic example of how technology and design can turn the world of healthcare upside down in terms of accessibility."
The Runners-Up
JivaScope wasn't the sole bright spot this year. Two other amazing inventions made it to the national level:
OncoALERT by Jayanti Kumari – a needle-free, paper-based nanotech test for oral cancer screening at home. With 95% accuracy and biodegradable materials, it aims to catch cases early, especially in rural communities where late detection often proves fatal.
Thirdeye by Rishi Sawant, Mohit Kumar, and Soham Sawant – an AI-powered visually impaired assistive device. With voice assistance, smart sensing, and safety measures, Thirdeye helps users move independently and fearlessly beyond being just a tool—because it's a mobility companion.
Both submissions will also be India's contenders in the global level of the James Dyson Award where global winners will be chosen by Sir James Dyson himself.
Why It Matters
Even with the growth of healthcare, millions of Indians remain deprived of timely, reliable diagnostics. Innovations like JivaScope, OncoALERT, and Thirdeye indicate that change-makers are emerging to address these gaps with efficient, low-cost solutions.
Given by the James Dyson Foundation, the award encourages student engineers in over 30 nations to solve the challenges of everyday life through simple yet effective designs. The Indian winners of this year are a reminder that innovation is not about technology—it's about empathy, accessibility, and hope for a healthier, more inclusive, better future.
Note: The article is written by the Brand Desk.
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