Tung Tung Sahur team, which included Kwan Jun Er, Kiew Zheng Wei, Thanigai Kumaran Muthukumaran, Amelia Sow Jing Yi, and Loh Yen Kuan, finished First Runner-Up in the UM Technothon 2025 (winning RM1,500), adding to their IVCCII 2025 Gold with their integrated FloodGuard and UrbanPulse system, provides AI-powered drain surveillance, real-time data, and flood management coordination.

Following their Gold medal win at the International Virtual Competition of Creative & Innovative Ideas (IVCCII) 2025, the outstanding Tung Tung Sahur team from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has once again demonstrated their prowess, finished First Runner-Up and received a prize of RM1,500 at the Universiti Malaya (UM) Technothon 2025.

Organised by the MNNF Network, UM Technothon 2025 is a unique competition designed to showcase the latest in technology and innovation, drawing inspiration from popular shows like Shark Tank and America’s Got Talent. 

This flagship event empowers participants to pitch their boldest ideas and products to an expert panel of judges.

The Tung Tung Sahur team comprising Kwan Jun Er, Kiew Zheng Wei, Thanigai Kumaran Muthukumaran, Amelia Sow Jing Yi, and Loh Yen Kuan impressed judges with their project, an integrated ‘FloodGuard and UrbanPulse System’. 

This all-encompassing ecosystem unifies drain monitoring, coordination, and real-time information sharing, tackling a critical societal and environmental challenge.

Their success stems from a uniquely balanced team, combining both hardware and software expertise. 

Amelia Sow Jing Yi led the UI/UX design, ensuring an intuitive and visually appealing platform. 

Loh Yen Kuan expertly handled front-end development, translating design concepts into a functional interface. 

Kwan Jun Er was instrumental in developing the deep learning model and played a major role in full-stack development, seamlessly integrating both front-end and back-end systems. 

Meanwhile, Thanigai Kumaran Muthukumaran and Kiew Zheng Wei applied their engineering knowledge to design and build the hardware prototype for drain monitoring, a crucial component of their holistic solution.

For IVCCII 2025, their project stood out due to its comprehensive approach, addressing both software and hardware aspects. 

The integration of real-time data monitoring with intelligent software analysis presented a complete, forward-thinking solution that captivated the judges. 

At Technothon 2025, key factors contributing to their success included their confident presentation, clear communication of the solution’s practicality and feasibility, and the project’s direct relevance to urban infrastructure and flood prevention. 

Their functional engineering prototype vividly showcased the real-world applicability of their idea, while their deep understanding of drainage and flood management issues, tackled through intelligent technology and practical engineering, truly sealed their victory. 

Blending AI, engineering, and societal impact

These multidisciplinary strengths allowed them to secure top honours in both competitions, demonstrating an innovative yet highly implementable real-world solution.

The UrbanPulse – Smart Drain Monitoring System is an AI-powered real-time system featuring drain water level monitoring via environmental sensors, a real-time dashboard with an AI prediction model (Random Forest Classifier) to classify drain statuses across Malaysia, a flood forecasting system using deep learning, an automated maintenance ticketing system, and a self-sustaining e-hub powered by solar panels and water flow turbines.

Complementing this is FloodGuard – Government & Citizen Coordination Platform. 

For government use, it offers flood risk profiling, resource and logistics coordination, an AI Emergency Contact Agent, a volunteer management dashboard, an AI-Powered Flood Simulation tool, and a Multi-Lingual Intelli Advisor for strategy guidance. 

For citizens, it provides SOS Geolocation Help Requests, evacuation route guidance, a family tracker, and a Multi-Lingual Intelligent Advisor for preparation guidance.

Together, FloodGuard & UrbanPulse form a holistic, AI-integrated flood management ecosystem, dedicated to saving lives, enhancing coordination, and building resilient communities.

“Winning First Runner-Up at UM Technothon, especially after our Gold at IVCCII, truly underscores the power of blending computing and engineering expertise to create holistic solutions,” explained Jun Er, Tung Tung Sahur’s team leader. 

“It is not just about addressing symptoms; it is about tackling the root causes with practical, sustainable, and impactful technology. This journey has profoundly boosted our skills and experience, making us far better prepared for future challenges in the professional world.”

The Tung Tung Sahur team has earned significant acclaim for their innovative FloodGuard & UrbanPulse project, a success attributed in part to the collective guidance of three dedicated mentors.

Assistant Professor Ir Eur Ing Ts Dr Lau Chee Yong, School of Engineering (SoE) Head of Visionary AI Studio stated, the Tung Tung Sahur team exemplifies the spirit of innovation.

“Their ability to integrate deep learning with practical engineering in a project like FloodGuard & UrbanPulse showcases immense talent and a forward-thinking approach to critical societal issues.”

Ms Salasiah Sulaiman, Senior Lecturer School of Computing (SoC) added, “Their dedication, combined with their interdisciplinary strengths, was evident throughout both competitions. This team’s success is a testament to their hard work and the impactful solutions our students are capable of developing.”

Ts Suresh Gobee, SoE Head of Asia Pacific Centre of Robotic Engineering (APCORE) commented, “The engineering prototype for drain monitoring was a critical component of FloodGuard and UrbanPulse System and the team’s ability to bring this physical aspect to life was truly impressive. 

“It demonstrates their grasp of real-world applicability and their commitment to delivering comprehensive solutions.”