Konrad Zieliński builds voice glasses after cancer loss
Uhura Bionics founder Konrad Zieliński develops wearable devices priced between $500 and $1,500 to help throat cancer survivors speak and sing.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Uhura Bionics founder Konrad Zieliński lost his voice to cancer while in college.
- He developed a noninvasive wearable device enabling emotional speech, laughter, and singing.
- The startup offers a basic model and the Whitney high-end version priced at $500 and $1,500.
Konrad Zieliński lost his voice years ago to cancer while pursuing his studies at the University of Warsaw. Historically, individuals facing his medical condition have depended on handheld speaking tools that produce flat, robotic tones, or on surgically implanted voice prostheses requiring ongoing upkeep to avoid complications, Zieliński shared in an interview with TechCrunch.
He advanced his education to complete a doctoral degree focusing on bionic systems designed for laryngectomees, who are individuals that have undergone surgical removal of their voice boxes. Throughout his thesis research, Zieliński aimed to construct a noninvasive apparatus requiring zero surgery, empowering people like himself to communicate with genuine emotion, share laughter, raise their voices, and even sing.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
By the year 2023, Zieliński established Uhura Bionics, a startup selected to join the Startup Battlefield 200 cohort at the upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 conference next month. The enterprise features two wearable hardware options: an entry-level basic model and a premium tier designated as Whitney, honoring vocalist Whitney Houston.
Zieliński expressed his aspiration that laryngectomees will integrate Whitney into their routines just as individuals with visual impairments rely on eyeglasses. The subsequent phase for Uhura involves introducing higher-pitched vocal configurations tailored for female users, alongside personalization capabilities preventing all users from sounding identical.
The introduction of such apparatuses highlights the advancement of wearable technologies moving beyond basic fitness tracking into critical physical rehabilitation. Nevertheless, medical technology startups face the fundamental hurdle of transitioning from consumer-funded wellness products to certified medical devices eligible for insurance reimbursement, which remains essential for broader market adoption.
At present, Uhura distributes its hardware configurations as wellness products, mandating out-of-pocket purchases from consumers at $500 for the standard variation and $1,500 for the Whitney unit. However, the emerging enterprise is actively seeking classification as a Class I medical device, representing the lowest risk threshold across Europe and subsequently within the United States. Achieving this regulatory milestone would enable partial financial reimbursement via health insurance providers.
"I hope laryngectomees will use Whitney just like people with poor eyesight use glasses."
Konrad Zieliński
Zieliński calculates the addressable market size for equipment dedicated to laryngectomees at approximately $2 billion, noting that the valuation could expand further if Uhura broadens its offerings to assist individuals experiencing alternative speech impairments.
While Uhura operates alongside other entities providing modern assistance for voice loss, including medical device manufacturer Atos Medical and startup competitors like Laronix, Zieliński remains confident that Whitney will connect meaningfully with other laryngectomees. He plans to showcase its functional capabilities live not only at TechCrunch Disrupt but also during SF Tech Week in October, where he will perform a song on stage utilizing the Whitney device.
Source: TechCrunch
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