With his remarkable Maviglasses creation, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) student Muhammad Ahmed was crowned champion in the Postgraduate bracket at the Powering Your Innovation Competition 2024.

The competition, themed “Towards Digitalisation and Sustainability in Aviation, Aerospace, and Mechanical,” was organised by Global Turbine Asia Sdn Bhd (GTA) as part of the Asia Turbomachinery & Pump Symposium (ATPS) and coordinated by the TEES Turbomachinery Laboratory.

Maviglasses, developed by IoTech Solutions, a startup spinoff from APU’s Centre for Research and Development of IoT (CREDIT), stands as a testament to the institution’s cutting-edge advancements, demonstrated by its success in the competition.

Under the guidance of Mr Krishna Ravinchandra (Lecturer, School of Engineering at APU), Assoc Prof Ts Dr Sathish Kumar Selva Perumal (Associate Professor, School of Engineering at APU), Ir Narendran Ramasenderan (Assistant Professor, School of Engineering at APU), and APIIT Education Group and APU’s Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer Professor Ir EurIng Ts Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, this revolutionary technology not only demonstrates a strong commitment to innovation but also highlights leadership in developing pioneering solutions that bridge technology with practical applications.

The Innovative Evolution of Maviglasses

Maviglasses, developed through collaborations with the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI), START iix, and Fraunhofer IEM’s MRANTI-iix X-celerator (MIX) programme, represent a cutting-edge fusion of Generative AI (Gen-AI) and sensor technology.

Originally designed for remote electrical pre-inspection, Maviglasses integrates advanced AI-driven sensors to facilitate inspections in both residential and industrial settings.

Evolving beyond its initial application, it now utilises Nvidia DeepStream for defect detection in an insulation glove manufacturer, earning the nickname Mavihub.

Further enhancements, spearheaded by Muhammad Ahmed for the competition, have optimised Maviglasses using OpenVINO and AnomLib, enabling it to excel in pinpointing component mismatches and defects throughout printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing and assembly processes.

Significance of the Victory

This victory underscores the profound and transformative impact of advancing technology on the aviation industry, signalling a new era of innovation and efficiency.

Emerging trends which are transforming the aviation sector with their potential for significant change:

1. Autonomous aircraft
2. Internet of Things (IoT)
3. Artificial intelligence (AI)
4. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)
5. Blockchain
6. 3D printing
7. Electric and hybrid aircraft
8. Biometrics and advanced security technologies
9. Predictive maintenance
10. In-flight connectivity
11. Cloud computing for aviation operations
12. Advanced materials in aircraft manufacturing
13. Next-generation air traffic control

These innovations not only enhance safety, efficiency, and customer experience but also contribute significantly to reducing environmental impact.

Ensuring the future resilience of aviation and aerospace requires a workforce adept at tackling these challenges, aligning with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

1. SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
2. SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation.
3. SDG 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

APU’s Engineering Excellence

Ir Narendran expressed his enthusiasm by stating that this remarkable achievement is a source of immense pride for APU, as it showcases the exceptional innovation and talent thriving within the community.

“This latest accolade adds another layer of distinction to the centre’s already impressive track record, which includes multiple international awards garnered this year for our groundbreaking Gen-AI drone solution tailored for disaster response.

“Such recognition not only underscores the continuous commitment to excellence within APU but also highlights the outstanding quality of our engineering programme, reinforcing our position as a leader in technological innovation and education,” he said.

In contrast, Prof Vinesh emphasised that this achievement not only marks a significant milestone for APU but also underscores its capacity to innovate in alignment with current industry demands.

“Furthermore, it showcases the exceptional talents within our community, demonstrating their capability to effectively address real-world challenges.

“Achievements like this not only elevates their attractiveness to tech employers in Malaysia, establishing them as highly sought-after professionals in their respective fields, but also solidifies APU’s position as a frontrunner in nurturing graduates with practical skills tailored to meet the ever-evolving demands of the tech industry,” he said.