In a remarkable display of innovation and technical prowess, the student team from Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas, known as Team Cognitics, emerged as one of the seven winners in the Microsoft AI for Accessibility (AI4A) Hackathon 2023. This annual event invites teams from across the Asia Pacific to develop solutions that foster a more inclusive and accessible society.
The June 2023 edition saw 119 teams of undergraduates from universities in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. These bright minds were tasked with creating applications that address real-life challenges faced by people with disabilities.
Team Cognitics’ groundbreaking application, “Cognitics Coordinated Security”, is a smart band worn on the wrist. This emergency response product, which fuses AI with psychometrics technology, can proactively administer medication. It offers a rapid means to detect emergencies and deliver the necessary medication, demonstrating the potential of AI psychometrics technology in healthcare.
The team, composed of Bavie A. Bunyi Jr., Charlize Gian A. Belarmino, Elmar Johann E. Boniel, Leandre E. Basit, and Ravie Rafael E. Fetizanan, are all students from LPU-Batangas’ College of Computer Studies.
The hackathon provided problem statements from six non-profit organizations across the seven participating countries. The students were challenged to build innovative, AI-enabled applications on Microsoft Azure. These solutions were then presented to a panel of judges from both technical and non-technical fields.
The winning teams demonstrated a deep understanding of accessibility, originality in their solutions, and a willingness to take risks in the pursuit of creating value for people with disabilities. They also had to show real-world impact, viable business models, and go-to-market plans to launch their solutions.
The problem statements were categorized into Daily Life, Employability, Communication, and Education, providing students with authentic scenarios faced by people with disabilities. From overcoming obstacles undetectable by white canes to automating speech therapy, the challenges spanned a wide range of issues.
The Microsoft AI for Accessibility Hackathon is a platform that brings together developers, engineers, and designers to create innovative solutions using Microsoft’s artificial intelligence tools. Its aim is to empower individuals with disabilities by developing new technologies that can assist them in their daily lives.
Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas students won for their application, Cognitics Coordinated Security, a smart band placed on the wrist to proactively administer medication via psychometrics technology @LPUBOfficial @Microsoft https://t.co/T1Un7LFWst
— GoodNewsPilipinas.com (@GoodNewsPinas_) July 5, 2023
This victory follows the success of Team EIA in 2022, who developed a Filipino banking app for the blind, further cementing the Philippines’ standing in the regional hackathon. The triumph of Team Cognitics underscores the potential of AI in creating a more inclusive and accessible world.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas for winning in the 2023 Microsoft AI for Accessibility Hackathon!
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