Zerobionic Africa

Focused on robotics for accessibility

[Daily Nation @NationAfrica]

The structural gap between how science is taught and how it is received by deaf learners led to the emergence of Zerobionic, a Nairobi-based assistive robotics start-up that builds AI-powered systems designed to translate speech into sign language and sign language into speech in real time.

Read more: https://t.co/LsFTCudGEU

[BE OPEN @BEOPENFUTURE]

The €5,000 grant goes to Norah Kimathi, Kenya. Norah studies Informatics, Computer Science and Robotics Engineering. Her project, Zerobionic, is an AI-powered robotic exoskeleton designed to improve access to STEM education for deaf and hard-of-hearing girls.

[Daily Nation @NationAfrica]

Meet Norah Kimathi, who trains robots to teach STEM subjects in sign language

[KAM @KAM_Kenya]

And the 2026 WIM Awards Winners are!! 🎊🎊

1. WIM Start-up of the Year. - Norah Kimathi, Co-Founder and CEO, Zero Bionic.

2. Excellence in Export & Market Access Award -Amina Ali (Senior procurement manager, Haco Industries)

3. Champion for Sustainable Manufacturing/ WIM ESG Award - Winner: Jane Wangari (Bamburi Cement)

4. Innovation & Digital Transformation Award - Mary Wangere (Haco Industries)

5. Woman Employee of the Year Award - Joint Winners: Cynthia Nafula Walubengo (Accurate Steel Mills) and Martha Waraga (Lean Energy Solutions)

6. Woman Executive of the Year Award - Mary-Ann Musangi (Haco Industries)

7. Lifetime Achievement Award - Rita Kavashe
(Isuzu East Africa Ltd)

8. Woman Industrialist of the Year Award (Overall Winner) - Leena Tembhekar (Lean Energy Solutions)

#WIMKe

[Swalanyeti.co.ke @SwalaNyetiKe]

Kenya’s tech momentum continues across Africa:

Startup Zerobionic has been selected for Qualcomm’s 2026 Make in Africa programme, from 1,200+ applications across 45 countries.

The Kenyan startup is building assistive robotics for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Real impact. Real innovation.

Here's the full story: https://t.co/KTYOAgEnY3 @Zero_bionic @innov_max @Qualcomm_MEA

[aptantech @aptantech]

@Zero_bionic, a Kenya-based startup, makes it to @Qualcomm's 2026 ‘Make in Africa’ mentorship cohort https://t.co/VXpdao3ocv

[Zerobionic Africa @Zero_bionic]

@AfricaTechSMT @HizoHq @niteonhq @PretiumApp @vepayhq @WinichFarms Honored to be part of the Africa Tech Summit. Let's keep championing #inclusion at every level.

[ATS Nairobi Feb 10 - 11 2027 #ATSNBO - 9th Ed @AfricaTechSMT]

🚀 Africa Tech Summit Nairobi Announces 12 Ventures Selected for 2026 Investment Showcase

The include: Bekia, Bosso, Chefaa, @HizoHq, Innobid, @niteonhq , @PretiumApp , Timart, Tibu Health, @vepayhq, @WinichFarms, and @Zero_bionic

Join them next month https://t.co/zBhPb6SgMF

[Zerobionic Africa @Zero_bionic]

@Reuters Thank you for sharing our story at Zerobionic! As we continue to scale impact across Africa and beyond, we remain committed to bringing access to #STEM classrooms in an #accessible and #sustainable way. Let's keep championing #inclusion at every level.

[Reuters @Reuters]

This Kenyan-built robotic arm is opening new possibilities for teaching deaf students. Paired with a sensor-fitted suit, the device converts spoken words into gestures

[Fidesio @fidesio_G]

Last week we met with @innov_max for a quick tour of his robotic lab. Episode dropping tomorrow

[Danny Amara (Apostle) @apostleofdesign]

EdgeCasts 15 | supported by @LiskHQ, partnership with @jamitHQ

Maxwell @innov_max is a robotics engineer and CEO of Zerobionics. Hear what he has to say about his time at @JoinEdgeCity Patagonia.

Big thanks to @thenameiskamso for handing the post production.

[Edge City @JoinEdgeCity]

“If this tool works, my child will go to school every day again.”

Edge City Fellow Maxwell (@innov_max) wrote down his reflections on building assistive tech in Patagonia and how talking to the local community reshaped his work in unexpected ways.

Read his story (link below)👇

[@iBizAfrica @iBizAfrica]

@StrathU @iLabAfrica @ASSEKnews @glc_org @HPSupport Meet Norah Kimathi. She's revolutionizing education with AI-powered technology for rural communities. 🌍
No internet required - just offline content, HP Cloud storage, and AR glasses! 👓
#GLCHackathon #Edtech #AI

[TOPAFRICANEWS.COM @TopafricanewsC]

@awieforum AWARDS 2025 FINALISTS (listed in alphabetical order) 

Young Entrepreneur Award 

Norah Kimathi – Kenya 
Enyo Kossiwa Midjresso-Amouzou – Togo 
Chisom Victory Okorie – Nigeria 

Empowerment Award 

Mathildah Amollo – Kenya 
Naima Mohamed – Somalia 
Mampho Sotshongaye – South Africa 

Energy Entrepreneur Award 

Chenez Henderson – South Africa 
Rufaro Marufu – Zimbabwe 
Nidal Tafah – Morocco 

Creative Industry Award 

Mahlet Afework – Ethiopia 
Stella Ndekile – Nigeria 
Soraya da Piedade – Angola 

Social Entrepreneur Award 

Farana Boodhram – South Africa 
Naom Monari – Kenya 
Barbara Nabigambo – Uganda 

Agri Entrepreneur Award 

Linda Davis – Kenya 
Ruth Ede – Nigeria 
Millicent Okumu – Kenya 
Josephine Takundwa – Zimbabwe 

Tech Entrepreneur Award 

Vivian Arinaitwe – Uganda 
Maryanne Gichanga – Kenya 
Naledi Magowe – Botswana

[Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) @KENIAupdates]

Meru county: Zerobionic, presented by Norah Kimathi.

Zerobionic is a startup dedicated to transforming STEM education for students with disabilities, particularly those with hearing
impairments.

[Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) @KENIAupdates]

The PIA team continued its monitoring and evaluation visits today with a stop at Zerobionic, an inclusive EdTech innovation led by Norah Kimathi from Meru County and a 2024/2025 Presidential Innovation Challenge and Award winner.

Currently incubated at the African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI), Zerobionic leverages AI-powered robotic exoskeletons, 3D-printed from recycled plastic to translate spoken language into real-time sign language. This groundbreaking solution is designed to bridge communication gaps in STEM education for deaf students, fusing accessibility, sustainability, and advanced engineering.

By addressing both educational and environmental challenges, Zerobionic demonstrates how inclusive tech can empower learners, enhance classroom equity, and drive a more sustainable innovation ecosystem in Kenya.

[NTV Kenya @ntvkenya]

Maxwell Opondo, co-founder of Zero Bionic, shares insights on deploying prosthetic arms, supported by Young Scientists Kenya and successful pilot tests conducted during community outreaches.

@BrianGeorgeKE

[aptantech @aptantech]

Kenya’s @ZuriHealth among winners as Maxwell Opondo named young tech innovator at Africa Tech Summit Awards https://t.co/jjGaYFIvdX

[@iBizAfrica @iBizAfrica]

@StrathU @iLabAfrica @ASSEKnews @glc_org @HPSupport Meet Maxwell Opondo, the founder of Zerobionic. Zerobionic strives to provide an interactive educational solution by utilizing a robotic arm that translates signs and gestures into speech, breaking down complex concepts to aid comprehension.
#GLCHackathon #Edtech #AI