MUET Jamshoro team secured a grant of $9800 in EPICS in the IEEE, Access and Abilities category

It is a matter of pride for us to announce that a team from Mehran University of Engineering & Technology has won a grant of $9800 in the EPICS in the IEEE, Access and Abilities category. The Final Year Project team comprising of Muhammad Saleem Umrani, Ali Gohar Khaskheli and Muhammad Kaleem Gaho from Department of Electronic Engineering MUET under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Attiya Baqai, Prof. Dr. Tanweer Hussain Phulpoto and Engr. Burhan Aslam Arain designed a low-cost stair lift solution for individuals with locomotive disabilities who become incapable of climbing the stairs on their own.

As the existing stairlifts are prohibitively expensive. To fill this cost-based product gap and serve the community at the larger extent this project was further applied in EPICS in IEEE Access and Abilities Competition with a multidisciplinary team from Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro with locally available materials and make a positive impact on the local community.

After the design process, the team will deploy 10 units and will work with NGOs/NPOs in the nearby community. The team is passionate about creating a usable product to help differently-abled persons. This project is part of the EPICS in IEEE Access and Abilities Competition and received a grant of $9,800 from EPICS in IEEE to complete the project. Below are the individuals involved in the project.

Mentors

§  Prof. Dr. Attiya Baqai (Professor at the Department of Electronic Engineering MUET, Jamshoro)

§  Prof. Dr. Tanweer Hussain Phulpoto (Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering MUET, Jamshoro)

§  Engr. Burhan Aslam Arain (Lab supervisor at the Department of Electronic Engineering MUET, Jamshoro)

Team Lead

Engr. Muhammad Saleem Umrani (Graduate BE Electronic Engineering MUET, Jamshoro)

Team Members

§  Muhammad Mustafa (Final year BE Electronic Engineering MUET, Jamshoro)

§  Muhammad Faizan(Final year BE Mechatronics Engineering MUET, Jamshoro)

§  Pardeep Kumar (Final year BE Software Engineering MUET, Jamshoro)

The Access and Abilities competition is meant to challenge university students from all over the world to use their engineering skills to help solve accessibility issues within their communities.  Students, faculty, and professionals have the opportunity to address the technological needs of communities. The competition requirements are that university students should be significantly involved in the design and deployment process, submit quarterly progress reports and a final summary report, and use dedicated competition funding for materials related to the project only (i.e, salaries, honorariums, personal computers, significant capital equipment or research supplies, etc. are not allowed)

This competition is funded by the Jon C. Taenzer Memorial Fund established by the IEEE Foundation in 2019 with a generous bequest from the Estate of Mr. Taenzer, an IEEE Life Senior Member. The fund is restricted for the purpose of supporting engineers in developing countries and to support breakthroughs in aid for the disabled.

During the year 2022 the EPICS in IEEE committee received 40 proposals from around the globe, the EPICS in IEEE committee selected the 10 projects for inclusion in the Access and Abilities Competition. Amongst the selected projects 1 project is for Canada, 3 from India, 1 from Malaysia, 2 from USA and 3 are from Pakistan.

Congratulations to the students of Mehran University Jamshoro for being selected for the Access and Abilities Competition for their project, "Design and Development of a Low-Cost Stair Lift." The university is impressed by the innovative and impactful approach taken by the team, which will have a positive impact on the lives of those who struggle with mobility issues. We are excited to see this project come to life and make a difference in the world. Well done!