APU Teams Shine at ZTE NextGen 5G Hackathon 2024 by Securing Top Honours for Innovation in IoT Solutions

The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) celebrated a remarkable achievement at the ZTE NextGen 5G Hackathon 2024, co-organised by Multimedia University (MMU) and ZTE, a prominent Chinese telecom company. Concluding on October 17, 2024, the hackathon showcased the latest innovations in IoT, powered by 5G technology, in fields ranging from smart cities to healthcare.

Competing among top international teams, APU's representatives, Team Delta and Team KneeBoi_ProMax, clinched the First and Second Runner-Up positions, earning cash prizes of RM4,000 and RM1,000, respectively.

Team Delta’s MaviAI Championing Smart Innovation and Safety

Team Delta celebrated their achievement with mentor Mr Krishna Ravinchandra (right) upon returning to campus. (L-R): Durkesh Ravi Shankar, Mohamed Hemdan Abdelaziz Abdelsalam Safaan, Muhammad Ahmed, and Zainab Yasmin.

Team Delta, from APU’s Centre of Research and Development for IoT (CREDIT), consisted of four talented students—Zainab Yasmin, Durkesh Ravi Shankar, Mohamed Hemdan Abdelaziz Abdelsalam Safaan, and Muhammad Ahmed. Guided by Assistant Professor Ir Narendran Ramasenderan, CREDIT Head, and Mr Krishna Ravinchandra, a lecturer from the School of Engineering, they designed “MaviAI”, an advanced Vision AI-powered smart glasses system.

MaviAI is tailored for remote electrical inspections in industrial environments, emphasising enhanced safety and operational efficiency. Their project’s technical prowess and relevance garnered them the First Runner-Up title and recognition as an industry-ready solution.

Team KneeBoi_ProMax’s MetroMantap Revolutionizing Public Transit

Team KneeBoi_ProMax, consisting of (2nd from left) Koh Li Hom, Chang Shiau Huei, and Vincent Chin Wen Shen, posed with their mentors, Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Ehsan Rana (left) and Mr Kamalanathan Shanmugam (right).

Fresh graduates Koh Li Hom, Vincent Chin Wen Shen, and Chang Shiau Huei, who earned degrees in Data Analytics, Computer Science, and Cyber Security respectively, formed Team KneeBoi_ProMax. Their project, “MetroMantap”, is a real-time crowd management system designed for Malaysia’s bustling railway stations. This innovative solution leverages pressure sensors, real-time data processing, and advanced visualisation tools to optimise passenger distribution and enhance train safety.

Under the mentorship of Mr Kamalanathan Shanmugam, a Senior Lecturer at APU’s School of Technology, and Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Ehsan Rana of the School of Computing, MetroMantap secured the Second Runner-Up position.

Held from June 27 to October 17, the ZTE NextGen 5G Hackathon 2024 kicked off with a rigorous first round conducted online, with Team Delta and Team KneeBoi_ProMax rising to the Top 10. This achievement led them to the grand finale held in Cyberjaya, where they competed in a four-hour intensive hacking session. The hackathon’s criteria focused on creativity, technical feasibility, and real-world applicability, underscoring the value of practical, sustainable solutions in today’s IoT-driven world.

The hackathon’s closing ceremony was graced by Dr Diong Kah Seng, Vice President of ZTE Malaysia Corporation, and Ir Azizi A. Hadi, Chief Development Officer of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Besides the cash prizes, each winning team received a ZTE 5G router worth RM2,000, further equipping them for continued innovation.

In a stellar finish, MMU’s Yeo Quan Xiang claimed the grand prize of RM8,000 for his “Critical Infrastructure Monitoring” project, underscoring the collaborative and competitive spirit that marked this year’s hackathon.

Through Team Delta’s MaviAI and Team KneeBoi_ProMax’s MetroMantap, APU’s students have once again demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity, and teamwork on the global stage. Their success stands as a testament to APU’s commitment to fostering world-class talent and driving technological advancement in Malaysia and beyond.