S.T.Eye: The color-changing condom designed to detect STIs 🟢

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Back in 2015, three British teenagers came up with an idea that instantly captured global attention: a “smart condom” called S.T.Eye. The concept was simple yet bold—latex that changes color when it comes into contact with a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

It was an eye-catching innovation that won them awards and headlines. But a decade later, it still hasn’t moved beyond the prototype stage.

How it works 🔬

At just 13 and 14 years old, Daanyaal Ali, Muaz Nawaz, and Chirag Shah, students at Isaac Newton Academy in Ilford, pitched their idea at the TeenTech Awards 2015, a competition celebrating youth-driven tech innovation. Their project won the “Health” category and sparked conversations about the future of STI prevention—and about how citizen science could contribute to public health.

The principle behind S.T.Eye is surprisingly straightforward. The condom would be embedded with molecules that react to proteins from specific pathogens. When exposed to a virus or bacterium, those molecules would trigger a visible color shift. In theory, users could identify a potential infection in real time—without the need for a lab test.

https://teentech.com/teentech-awards-2015-the-results/

Each infection would correspond to a distinct color: green for chlamydia, yellow for herpes, purple for HPV, and blue for syphilis. Beyond prevention, the idea was meant to be educational—an approachable, less invasive way to break the stigma around STI testing.

A promising idea, but not yet on the market 💡

Despite its viral moment in 2015, S.T.Eye remains just that: a concept. The students never commercialized the product, and experts note that developing something like this requires extensive clinical validation, regulatory approval, and significant investment before it could ever hit store shelves.

Some condom manufacturers and biotech firms did express interest in the idea. If realized, it could transform sexual health by pairing protection with instant diagnosis. But as of 2025, no launch timeline has been announced. For now, it stands as a fascinating example of how youthful creativity can reimagine public health tools.

The global challenge of STIs 🌍

STIs remain one of the world’s biggest health challenges. According to the World Health Organization, hundreds of millions of new infections are diagnosed every year. Often asymptomatic, they can lead to serious complications—infertility, chronic conditions, and increased risk of HIV transmission. Regular testing is crucial, but accessibility remains a barrier, especially for young people.

Condoms are still the most reliable tool to prevent both unplanned pregnancies and STIs. But S.T.Eye suggests a future where protection and detection merge. By giving users instant feedback, such a device could boost awareness, reduce transmission, and encourage safer sexual behavior.

👉🏾 Do you think innovations like this could really reshape the way we fight STIs?