Engineering students and others compete for million-dollar-innovation prize from Sagicor
Team Jana from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing at UTech is proposing a mobile app and data analytics system which will solve issues plaguing public transport for both commuters, vehicle operators, and the Government. These issues include long wait times, unpredictable vehicle schedules, and lack of data in the public transportation sector.
The app aims to be a travel companion for commuters, allowing them to see information on the state of a bus or taxi stop. They will be able to see an approximation on the number of people waiting and the approximate wait time for the vehicle they need (basic features to be expected). Commuters will also be able to indicate when they are waiting at a stop. Vehicle operators, however, will be able to see an alternate interface on the app with access to the same data. This is in order to help them make more informed decisions on their scheduling and their routes.
In the fifth year of the Sagicor Innovation competition created to foster creativity among students 13 groups of students from the University of Technology appeared before a four-man panel on April 10 in the first round of the selection process.
Competitors came from the faculties of Engineering and computing, Education, Environmental Sciences and Management. The event was the product of a yearlong preparation process by tutors linked to the Sagicor Innovation lab at the University of Technology Jamaica.
The 13 teams are those who made the cut from over 20 teams who participated in workshops, prototype development and business validation. The final Pitch will be held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on April 22, 2025.
2025 Participants shared ideas aimed at solving real-world challenges spanning various sectors including healthcare, finance, education, agriculture, and public safety within technology themes ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to the Internet of Things (IoT).
In an intense half day of presentations, judges gave each group advice on ideation, feasibility, business model, revenue generation, marketing approaches, partnerships, demographic targeting and asked questions intended to improve the final pitch. Some were asked to see a lawyer while others were sent to study the competition.
At the end of the day three teams were sent home while the remainder received the greenlight for the finals.
Teams and Participants included the following:
Wallet Trail
Wallet Trail from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing proposed building a budget management app using data scraping from the Gmail API and automated features that analyze new data and deliver results in a simplified and accessible manner.
Deep Breath
Deep Breath with team members from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing proposes using microalgae to improve the air quality in rooms. The microalgae uses CO2 and other pollutants in photosynthesis and their growth processes thus reducing the concentration of these substances in the air. These organisms also release oxygen and therefore allows for better air quality. Additionally, the device will allow for a reliable real time source on CO2, O2 and pollutant levels.
Flood Sense by Silk Cypher
Silk Cypher from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing proposed Flood Sense targeted at NGOs and agencies coping with gully flooding. Gully flooding is a persistent and devastating issue in Jamaica, leading to widespread destruction, loss of life, and significant economic setbacks. Addressing this problem requires a multidimensional approach to tackling infrastructural weaknesses and social challenges. Existing solutions lack real-time, localized early warning systems, leaving communities vulnerable and unprepared.
Flood Sense seeks leverages cutting-edge IoT sensors to monitor and collect real-time data from gullies actively. This data forms the foundation of a comprehensive system designed to improve gully health, predict flood risks, and ensure timely responses. These devices are placed directly in the gullies to track performance.
It also offers tools for gully management which developers say will cut a $2.5 billion government bill in half. The group also aims to collect and use real-time data to predict and mitigate risks. They aim to deploy IoT sensors in gullies to monitor conditions and provide timely warnings.
QuikTrip by Apex Coders
Apex Coders from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing proposed QuickTrip which is a project which students say will focus on developing communities with fragmented transport such as St. Thomas. They propose a mobile app and data analytics system which will solve issues plaguing public transport for both commuters, vehicle operators, and the Government. These issues include long wait times, unpredictable vehicle schedules, and lack of data in the public transportation sector.
The app aims to be a travel companion for commuters, allowing them to see information on the state of a bus or taxi stop. They will be able to see an approximation on the number of people waiting and the approximate wait time for the vehicle they need.
The app is expected to reduce wait time with expansion planned for other parishes. By using the data collected and contributed by users and using a combination of various other methods such as machine learning, the data collected through the platform can become a crucial asset for Governmental Organizations looking to make investments in Public Transportation. The data collected can provide crucial information when making decisions on vehicles to allocate to a route (ex. JUTC), changes to vehicle routes, or new routes which can be established that can be more effective/profitable.
Furthermore, the nature of the app - simple and scalable -means that it is easily adoptable and customizable for different organizations such as Taxi Associations, the JUTC, and other companies who are able to contribute to filling the gaps in the sector.
Street Guard by Blue Print Innovators
StreetGuard by students from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing is a LiDAR-based smart surveillance system designed to enhance public safety, infrastructure monitoring, and emergency response. It integrates high-precision LiDAR sensors with AI analytics to detect crimes, monitor traffic, identify road hazards, and provide real-time alerts to law enforcement and emergency services.
Key Features:
Crime Detection – Identifies suspicious activity and unauthorized gatherings.
Traffic & Accident Monitoring – Tracks vehicle movement, speeding, and collisions.
Pothole & Road Condition Detection – Reports road damage to authorities.
Flood & Fire Detection – Detects rising water levels, smoke, and flames.
Real-Time Alerts – Sends geotagged notifications to emergency responders and nearby civilians.
Stuty
Stuty, created by students from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing proposed solving the problem of student disengagement in education by introducing a gamified learning platform that makes studying interactive and rewarding. By offering bite-sized lessons, point-based progression, and competitive leaderboards, STUTY fosters motivation and sustained participation. Additionally, the platform connects students with qualified peer tutors, creating job opportunities and ensuring personalized academic support. Security features like ID-based logins and on-campus meeting options enhance trust, while a freemium business model ensures accessibility.
Book Connect by Be’lev
Book Connect, which was created by students from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing and the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies targets parents in search of educational material for their children. Book Connect is a centralized digital platform designed to connect parents, students, libraries, and bookstores to make the process of renting, buying, reselling, and discovering books more affordable, efficient, and user-friendly.
Team Praxis
Team Praxis was created by students from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, targeting buyers who worry about receiving defective goods or services, while sellers fear not being paid or dealing with fraudulent activities. Traditional solutions like payment gateways often lack robust dispute resolution mechanisms or fail to ensure mutual accountability between parties. Additionally, many platforms lack a merit-based trust system, making it difficult to assess the reliability of users.
They propose an escrow-based SaaS checkout system that connects verified buyers and sellers, ensuring secure and transparent transactions. The platform uses ID verification to build trust and AI to generate legally binding transaction agreements based on deal details, which both
Funds are held in escrow until the agreement terms are fulfilled, reducing risks for all users. Additionally, a merit-based trust score system evaluates users on factors such as successful transaction history, timely fulfillment, positive feedback, verification level, and compliance with platform terms. The system also supports seamless P2P payments and integrates easily with existing websites, providing a secure and reliable solution for online transactions.
Medwise
MedWise, created by students from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing is a mobile app which will be able to direct you to clinics and pharmacies closest to you for your in-person needs. It also allows the doctor to create prescriptions as well as allow pharmacies to fill them. The app will enable you to keep in contact with the doctor so you can update them and check in with them at any given moment. The app also provides end-to-end encryption so everything discussed with your doctor will stay confidential. It will provide health monitoring as well as medication reminders. The app will also feature an in-app payment option so that you can pay for consultations and prescriptions while also allowing the use of health cards.
Tech Titans
Tech Titans was created by students from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing who are targeting people who need a simpler and faster loan process. Those who need loans can connect directly with everyday individuals who have money to lend-cutting out all the bank hassle. Tech Titans propose to make it quick and easy to apply, use data to figure out fair interest rates, and keep everything secure.
Borrowers get the funds they need faster, and investors can earn decent returns, all in a transparent environment. Ultimately, we want to help small businesses and individuals get the financing they need without 'jumping through a bunch of hoops'.
Jam Tech
Jam Tech which is created by students from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing and the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies targets MSMEs offering to automate by AI 40 business processes thereby increasing efficiency.
To address the challenges businesses, face in managing databases, booking appointments, and ensuring consistent customer support, we propose developing an AI voice agent that seamlessly integrates with existing business systems. The AI will handle a variety of customer service interactions, significantly reducing manual workload, improving productivity, and enhancing customer satisfaction.
The AI voice agent will be capable of:
-Handling Customer Interactions: It will answer incoming calls and messages, providing accurate and efficient responses to customer inquiries by leveraging the company’s existing database.
-Managing Appointments and Orders: The AI will process and manage appointments, bookings, and orders automatically, saving time and ensuring accuracy.
-Sending Confirmation Messages: Once appointments or orders are processed, the AI will send confirmation messages to customers via email, text message, or other preferred communication channels.
-Centralized Data Storage: The system will store all relevant customer interactions and transactions in a centralized database, ensuring easy access to customer records and enhancing future interactions.
-Improving Efficiency: By automating these processes, the AI voice agent will streamline operations, reduce wait times, and significantly boost productivity, enabling businesses to offer more responsive customer support.
This AI-driven approach will not only reduce human workload but will also improve the overall efficiency and service quality, allowing businesses to focus more on strategic growth while offering better support to their customers.
Team Jana Team Jana from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing proposed a mobile app and data analytics system which will solve issues plaguing public transport for both commuters, vehicle operators, and the Government. These issues include long wait times, unpredictable vehicle schedules, and lack of data in the public transportation sector.
The app aims to be a travel companion for commuters, allowing them to see information on the state of a bus or taxi stop. They will be able to see an approximation on the number of people waiting and the approximate wait time for the vehicle they need (basic features to be expected). Commuters will also be able to indicate when they are waiting at a stop. Vehicle operators, however, will be able to see an alternate interface on the app with access to the same data. This is in order to help them make more informed decisions on their scheduling and their routes.
Caribbean Money Daily
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