Konrad Zieliński lost his voice to cancer years ago while he was a student at the University of Warsaw. People with his condition have traditionally relied on handheld speaking devices that sound flat and robotic, or on surgically implanted voice prostheses, which require ongoing maintenance to prevent complications, Zieliński told TechCrunch.
He went on to complete a PhD focusing on bionic systems for laryngectomees, people who’ve had their voice boxes (larynxes) removed. While working on his thesis, he set out to build a non-invasive device, one requiring no surgery, that would allow people like him to speak with emotion, laugh, shout, and even sing.
In 2023, Zieliński launched Uhura Bionics, a startup selected as one of TechCrunch Disrupt 2026’s Battlefield 200, a group of early-stage companies chosen to showcase their products at the conference next month. The company offers two wearable devices: a more basic model and a high-end version called Whitney, named after the singer Whitney Houston.
Zieliński says he hopes laryngectomees will use Whitney just like people with poor eyesight use glasses.
“I’m satisfied with what I’ve built because you added the emotional layer,” he said in a voice that indeed carries plenty of intonation, though with a slight electronic undertone.
The next step in Uhura’s development is adding higher-pitched voice options for women, as well as personalization features so users don’t all sound alike.
For now, Uhura sells its products as wellness devices, which means users must pay out of pocket: $500 for the basic option and $1,500 for Whitney. But the startup is in the process of getting them classified as Class I medical devices, the lowest-risk category, in Europe and, later, the U.S. That classification would allow for partial reimbursement through health insurance.
Zieliński estimates the market size for devices serving laryngectomees at about $2 billion, but says it could be larger if Uhura expands to serve people with other speech disorders.
Uhura is not alone in offering modern solutions for people who have lost their voices. Competitors include Atos Medical, a medical device company with products in the space, and startups like Laronix.
Still, Zieliński is certain Whitney will resonate with other laryngectomees. He will be demonstrating its capabilities not only at TechCrunch Disrupt, but also at SF Tech Week in October, where he will sing onstage with the help of Whitney.
Join us next month to see Bionics in person, along with the rest of our Battlefield competitors.
Facts Only
* Konrad Zieliński lost his voice due to cancer while at the University of Warsaw.
* People with this condition currently use handheld speaking devices or surgically implanted voice prostheses.
* Zieliński completed a PhD focusing on bionic systems for laryngectomees.
* He developed a non-invasive device allowing users to speak with emotion, laugh, shout, and sing.
* In 2023, Zieliński launched Uhura Bionics.
* The company offers two wearable devices: a basic model and Whitney.
* Zieliński hopes laryngectomees will use Whitney like people use glasses.
* The next development steps involve adding higher-pitched voice options for women and personalization features.
* Uhura products are currently sold as wellness devices ($500 for basic, $1,500 for Whitney).
* The startup is seeking classification as Class I medical devices in Europe and the U.S.
* The estimated market size for these devices serving laryngectomees is about $2 billion.
* Competitors include Atos Medical and Laronix.
Executive Summary
Full Take
The narrative pivots on transforming a severe physical loss into an opportunity for emotional expression through advanced technology. The core tension lies between the current reality of prosthetic solutions—which are often perceived as flat or mechanical—and the vision presented by Zieliński: voice imbued with authentic emotion and artistry. This framing sets up a potent appeal to identity, suggesting that restoring vocal capacity is not merely functional rehabilitation but an extension of human experience.
The push toward non-invasive technology addresses a significant barrier in current solutions (surgery and maintenance) by seeking integration rather than mere replacement. The transition from selling wellness devices to pursuing medical device classification represents a strategic shift: moving from consumer acceptance to regulated legitimacy. This evolution forces an acknowledgment that the technology is intended for profound functional restoration, not just aesthetic enhancement.
The market projection of $2 billion suggests significant untapped potential when extending beyond laryngectomees to other speech disorders. The pattern here involves leveraging a specific, highly affected community's need as a springboard for broader technological adoption. The question then becomes: does the pursuit of emotional vocalization risk commodifying complex lived experiences into easily marketable features? Furthermore, the slow path toward regulatory approval (Class I medical device) suggests a tension between rapid innovation and necessary safety protocols in fields deeply connected to human physiology and identity. What assumptions about the definition of 'voice' and 'emotion' are being accepted as baseline inputs for this new technology?
Sentinel — Human
The text reads like a standard feature story reporting on a technology entrepreneur and his company, displaying the flow and detail typical of human journalistic output.