Two Vietnamese students, Nguyen Duc Kien and Dang Hai Ninh, took home the first prize in the IEEE SEACAS Hackathon 2019.

The two students come from the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) – Vietnam National University (VNU).

The IEEE SEACAS Hackathon is an annual science and technology competition organised by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - Circuits and Systems Society (IEEE CAS) for students, trainees and graduate students from Southeast Asian countries.

In 2019, IEEE SEACAS Hackathon was co-organised by the IEEE CAS and the Malaysian Research Institute on Aging, at University Putra Malaysia, with the participation of groups of students from Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

According to the VNU, the technology product named "Magic Spoon" by SISLAB Vietnam team consists of two students Nguyen Duc Kien and Dang Hai Ninh, under the guidance of Dr. Dang Nam Khanh and Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Xuan Tu, overcomed nine entries to clinch first prize. Products are built based on the application of control engineering, IoT, data analysis and Machine learning.

"Magic Spoon" identifies the vibration of older people based on multi-dimensional sensors. Instead of conventional control techniques, the team uses artificial intelligence to aid its response to movements. Hand vibrations are also saved, kept in a database system and displayed on a phone. Thereby, doctors and family members can monitor and recommend appropriate measures.

The theme of this year's competition is looking towards society 5.0 and the goal of sustainable development by 2030, in which geriatrics and the elderly are among the upmost concerns of current researchers.

Therefore, this year's competition aims to research, design and develop experimental technology products for an autonomous system for the elderly in daily activities such as: personal hygiene; wearing clothes; eating and moving.

Students attended three-day event to develop ideas and then develop and perfect their products. Then they presented their entire ideas and ran a product demo for an international jury.

The SISLAB Vietnam’s products are highly appreciated by the IEEE CAS’s experts for creativity and technology application. The group also received an invitation from the IEEE CAS to participate in the IEEE CAS student design competition held in Seville, Spain in May, 2020. Nhan Dan

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