Pranav Mistry

These prototypes share a common theme: shifting computing from screens and devices to natural, embodied, and ambient modes of interaction.

Samsung & STAR Labs

In 2012, Mistry joined Samsung as Director of Research.

In 2019, he was appointed President and CEO of STAR Labs (Samsung Technology & Advanced Research Labs). Project Beyond (a 3D capture camera system), augmented reality, Bixby AR, foldable displays, and NEON (Samsung’s “artificial human” initiative).

However, in mid-2021, Mistry exited Samsung to found TWO, an Artificial Reality startup, and turned his attention toward building an Indian-first generative AI / mixed reality future.

TWO & India-centric AI Vision

At TWO, Mistry’s ambition is to build tools and platforms that bridge multiple Indian languages, cultural contexts, and the interface between human intuition and computational intelligence. SUTRA, a multilingual AI model supporting over 50 Indian languages, and building infrastructure for Indian users in augmented and mixed reality.

This shift marks a transition from hardware prototypes toward platformed, scalable AI/AR systems tailored to local and global contexts.

Recognition & Awards

Pranav Mistry’s inventive contributions have garnered widespread recognition:

• 2009 TR35: Named among MIT Technology Review’s top 35 innovators under 35.

• Invention of the Year 2009 by Popular Science for SixthSense.

• Inclusion in Creativity 50 list (2010) for most creative thinkers.

• Named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum (2013).

• Multiple Indian innovation awards, such as “Young Indian Innovator 2009” by Digit magazine, and others mentioned by IIT Bombay’s recognition page.

• Featured in lists like “15 Asian Scientists to Watch” and “Most Powerful Digital Indians.”

These honors reflect both technical achievement and the cultural resonance of his work.

Philosophy, Influence & Vision

Design + Engineering = “Desigineer”

Mistry often describes himself as a “desigineer”—a blend of designer and engineer. His approach is not to prioritize pure technical performance, but to shape technology that feels intuitive, human, and context aware.

He subscribes to the belief that the boundary between bits (digital) and atoms (physical) must blur; that human gestures, objects, spaces, and machines should converse rather than remain siloed.

Democratizing Interfaces

Another theme in his work is accessibility and cost consciousness. Mistry aims to use everyday hardware—webcams, projectors, sensors—as building blocks for interfaces, rather than relying solely on expensive proprietary systems.

He also emphasizes open access and sharing, signaling at times that his prototypes and ideas are meant for collaborative exploration, not closed secrecy.

Local Context, Global Reach

Mistry’s pivot to AI and mixed reality via TWO shows his resolve to build technology that can meaningfully serve Indian users (with multilingual and cultural sensitivity) and then scale outward.

Legacy & Influence

Pranav Mistry’s legacy is still unfolding, but many signals indicate his enduring impact:

• Shifting what’s possible: SixthSense and related prototypes challenged how we think about input, control, and augmentation. Many gesture-based, AR, and wearable interfaces today trace conceptual lineage to his work.

• Inspiration to Indian technologists: As someone born in Gujarat and rising to lead global R&D, he serves as a role model for many in India’s tech and design communities.

• Cross-disciplinary ethos: By marrying design sensitivity with engineering rigor, he exemplifies how future technologists must think beyond rigid silos.

• Localized AI and AR: TWO, and its Indian language AI ambition, may define a new frontier: AI systems that reflect, respect, and elevate local cultures rather than imposing monolithic models.

• Teaching through prototypes: Many of his inventions remain openly discussed, disseminated, and reinterpreted in research, workshops, and academic settings—expanding their influence beyond patents.

Reflections & Quotes

While Mistry does not have an extensive catalog of famous quotations, some of his statements capture his worldview:

• On technology and growth: “I love to see the world through design, and I love to see design through computing.” (paraphrased from interviews)

• On blurring digital and physical: his talk on SixthSense discusses bridging the gap between bits and atoms—making information fluid in real space.

• On inclusive AI: in a recent profile, when discussing TWO, he emphasizes that AI should be “value-driven” and reflect cultural context rather than cold optimization.

These reflections point to his belief that technology must be humane, meaningful, and grounded in lived experience—not spectacle.

Lessons from Pranav Mistry

1. Merge design thinking with technical skill. Being a designer-engineer allowed him to shape ideas that are both beautiful and functional.

2. Prototype early, iterate often. Many of his inventions evolved through rapid experimentation, testing, and refinement.

3. Use accessible tools. His insistence on using common hardware (webcams, projectors) shows you don’t need exotic materials to innovate.

4. Think globally, but start locally. His pivot to Indian-focused AI demonstrates that innovations rooted in home contexts can scale outward.

5. Don’t fear leaving big platforms. His departure from Samsung into a startup shows courage to follow vision beyond institutional support.

6. Share, teach, inspire. Making prototypes and ideas visible amplifies impact.

Conclusion

Pranav Mistry is more than an inventor—he is a bridge builder, connecting human gestures, space, and digital intelligence. His path, from Gujarat to MIT to Samsung labs, and now to founding TWO, illustrates a fierce commitment to innovation anchored in meaning. As we look ahead, his work reminds us that the next frontier of computing lies not in pushing boundaries outward, but in bringing technology closer to our bodies, senses, and world.