The EPICS in IEEE Committee is proud to announce the projects selected as part of the Access and Abilities Competition. The committee approved 23 projects from around the globe that we believe will help make the world more accessible for all. Our committee would like to thank all who submitted a project proposal for consideration. We were delighted to receive over 50 proposals specifically for the Access and Abilities competition. 

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 aids for the disabled.

Due to the funding received from the Jon C. Taenzer Memorial Fund, the committee was able to approve and fund 23 projects for a total of $88,000. The projects include student teams from around the world including Canada, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Uganda, and the USA. 

“We are grateful to the IEEE Foundation and the Jon C. Taenzer Memorial Fund for their generous contribution to EPICS in IEEE.  With these funds, 23 different groups of students will be working in their communities on prototypes to assist people through the Access and Abilities Competition. It is great to see the potential of IEEE student members to change the world start to be realized through this program.” Jamie Moesch, Managing Director, Educational Activities.

The project titles and locations are provided below. Stay connected with EPICS in IEEE through our mailing list to see how these projects progress. We will be sharing stories about the impact on both the communities served and the students involved in the competition. 

“Thank you to the IEEE Foundation for the support from the Jon C. Taenzer Memorial Fund for these projects. The EPICS in IEEE committee is excited to see the impact our student team members can have globally on making the world more equitable and accessible.” Dr. Stephanie Gillespie, Chair of EPICS in IEEE.

 

Access and Abilities Competition Projects

IoT-based Smart Assistant Cane for the Visually Impaired- IEEE Madras Section

Smart Outdoor Wheel Chair using IOT for the Paralyzed-IEEE Madras Section

Smart Fall Detection Tiles for Disabled People-IEEE Madras section

Wheelchair Electric Assist Taenzer Fund- IEEE Eastern Carolina Section

Smart Glove- IEEE Karachi Section

Emergency Evacuation System for Disabilities in Wheelchair- IEEE Fort Wayne Section

Sound Detection System- IEEE Toronto Section

Design and Development of a Low-Cost Stair Lift-IEEE Karachi Section

Elderly People Fall Detection System Using Radar Technology-IEEE Islamabad Section

Self-Navigating Robotic Walking Aid for Elderly People Using Multi-Sensor Fusion-Based Human Tracking- IEEE Sarawak Section

 Artificial Robotic Material (ARM) for Treating Motor Disorders in Children- IEEE Madras Section

MindVoice, EEG-Enhanced Voice Assistance for Older Adults-IEEE Buffalo Section

Soft Robotic Glove for Fine Motor Rehabilitation and Task-specific Training- IEEE Peru Section

Smart E-TRIKE with Detachable Wheels for Disabled Students to Enhance their Competency Taenzer Fund-IEEE Madras Section

Adaptive Mouse – USA-IEEE Gainesville Section

Soft Exosuit for Ambulatory Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)-IEEE North Jersey Section

Closing the Gap in Engineering Education for People with Disabilities- IEEE Panama Section

Developing and Testing an Automated Ramp to Ease Accessibility to Spaces for Persons with Disabilities and Vulnerable Members of Society- IEEE Uganda Section

Aural Rehabilitation for Children in Tamil Language-IEEE Madras Section

Smart Mobile Inclusive Learning (SMILE): AI-driven multi-purposed therapy for disability children- IEEE Indonesia Section

An Eye For the Blind-IEEE Kerala Section

BLUE PEW- IEEE Indonesia Section

Disability Smart Toilet for Sustainable Use within Communities-IEEE Uganda Section