APU Students Earn Recognition for Smart Evacuation Solution at Tech 4 Good Challenge 2026
The team placed first runner-up with their technologically advanced smart evacuation system.
Published 13 Aug 2026
Three students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) have proven that innovation can go beyond the classroom and make a real difference in people’s lives. Competing against nearly 190 teams, Team Siew Pow emerged as First Runner-Up at the Tech 4 Good Challenge 2026 Grand Finale held on 25 July 2026.
The team, comprising Lai Zi Huey, Low Wei Ling and Woo May Eng, developed the Lumina Smart Evacuation System, which is an intelligent solution designed to improve emergency evacuations. Unlike traditional exit signs that point towards fixed routes, Lumina adapts in real time, helping occupants navigate evolving situations such as fire, smoke or even overcrowding.
At the heart of the system is a combination of advanced technologies, including RGB cameras, thermal infrared sensors, acoustic sensors and edge artificial intelligence. By integrating these with YOLO-based computer vision and dynamic A* routing, Lumina is able to detect hazards and redirect occupants towards safer evacuation paths. The system also uses floor-projected visual cues and audio guidance, ensuring that instructions are easy to follow.
Importantly, the team placed strong emphasis on inclusivity. Lumina’s multi-sensory guidance system was designed to better support individuals with sensory impairments and the elderly, ensuring that safety solutions are accessible to a wide range of users.
Testing results have shown promising outcomes. The system achieved a 58.6% reduction in evacuation time at the 90th percentile, while its IoT-enabled “Pull Policy” stop-line mechanism helps to minimise dangerous bottlenecks. Beyond its technical capabilities, the team also explored a Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) model, offering a more sustainable approach to maintaining and deploying safety infrastructure.
For the students, the project was an opportunity to apply what they had learned in a real-world context. Reflecting on the experience, team leader Lai Zi Huey shared, “Building Lumina enabled us to transform classroom knowledge in system architecture, interface design and programming into a functional prototype. Although IoT hardware was new to us, our software foundation helped us integrate controllers, sensors, visual guidance and audio alerts.”
She also highlighted the role of mentorship in shaping their success, adding, “Dr Muhammad Ehsan Rana and Dr Kamalanathan Shanmugam were instrumental in guiding this transition. Their technical advice helped us refine the Detect–Decide–Guide concept, assess feasibility and integrate the software, dashboard, routing logic and hardware into one coherent, working system.”
Their mentors echoed this sentiment, noting that the students’ growth extended beyond technical achievement. Dr Kamalanathan Shanmugam said, “Beyond the technical achievement, they demonstrated resilience, teamwork and a genuine commitment to creating technology that protects lives, especially the most vulnerable.”
The experience of the Tech 4 Good Challenge gave the students a glimpse into real industry environments, where teamwork, adaptability and problem-solving are essential. From refining their prototype to communicating complex ideas to judges, the experience instilled in them a powerful lesson that when innovation can go far when it is made to address everyday needs.
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Amelia Ho
Always wandering, always wondering.
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