WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08) announced Montgomery County Public Schools students Kevin Xia, 11th Grade, of Walt Whitman High School; Ryan Chen, 12th Grade, of Walt Whitman High School; and Peter Xiao, 12th Grade, of Montgomery Blair High School have won his 2025 Congressional App Challenge with their app SafeStride, which helps people who are blind or visually impaired navigate their surroundings safely and efficiently.
“In the age of artificial intelligence, the Congressional App Challenge is a great way for young people to apply their skills with new technology to address social problems,” said Rep. Raskin. “As we seek to master this evolving technology for the public good, we can draw hope from young people like Kevin, Ryan and Peter who are diving in headfirst, using their inventions and coding skills to help people who are blind or visually impaired navigate the world with greater ease. We congratulate them for winning this year’s competition and wish them all the best in their exciting endeavors.”
Kevin, Ryan and Peter first met while attending the University of Maryland’s Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering Summer Program: "Jumpstart your Engineering Career" at the Universities at Shady Grove. During the program, they decided to develop SafeStride using Python Swift for Mobile (iOS).
Their app helps blind and visually impaired individuals navigate any environment safely and independently using software that analyzes the user’s phone camera feed in real-time to identify safe, walkable ground. The user is alerted through their earbuds to avoid obstacles as they move.
The students are also developing a patent-pending chest strap with six sensor casings positioned around the waist which would allow the user to use the app handsfree.
For winning the competition, Kevin, Ryan and Peter will have SafeStride displayed on the national Congressional App Challenge website and are invited to attend the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C. alongside Congressional App Challenge winners from across America.
Last week, Rep. Raskin featured Kevin, Ryan and Peter as his Local Heroes.
The Congressional App Challenge is an annual, nationwide event intended to engage students' creativity and encourage their participation in science, technology, engineering and math. The competition allows students to learn how to code by creating and exhibiting their app for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice. Any student living or attending school in MD-08 can participate through Rep. Raskin’s office. Learn more here.