Team Sohayok of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) emerged as the 1st Runners-up in the “Cisco IoT Hackathon 2024,” held at the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) campus in Dhaka on November 2. 

This national hackathon brought together 125 teams from institutions across Bangladesh, with 20 teams advancing to the final round.

Team Sohayok’s project, “A Cost-Efficient Device for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy Utilizing IoT,” addresses the communication needs of individuals with cerebral palsy, incorporating Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) support to enhance accessibility. 

The team comprised Md Rayhan Hossain, Samiul Haque, Jotirmoy Mollick, and Md Rahat Al Mamun from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and Sujoy Mahmud from the Department of Life Sciences. The team was mentored by Md Kafiul Islam, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE).

Samiul said, “Our goal was to create an affordable device that could make a real difference in the lives of people with cerebral palsy. This recognition motivates us to keep pushing for solutions that are both innovative and socially impactful.”

Md Kafiul Islam, PhD, expressed his pride in Team Sohayok’s accomplishment, saying, “This project showcases the technical capabilities and empathy of our students. By focusing on practical solutions for children who are physically challenged, this interdisciplinary team exemplified the positive impact that engineering and technology can bring to society.”

In addition to designing the IoT (internet of things) device, Team Sohayok presented an implementation plan based on observations from healthcare facilities, focusing on meeting the real needs of patients. They also received a cash prize of BDT 30,000.

BDST: 2039 HRS, NOV 08, 2024
MSK