Four students from Instituto Superior Técnico won first place in the second edition of the Joy in Motion Merit Award, promoted by Critical TechWorks – a joint venture of the BMW Group. The winning project, titled SCARM (Smart Crossing Assistance for Reduced Mobility), was developed as part of the Vehicular Networks course unit, from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (DEEC). The award ceremony took place on June 3rd in the Meeting Room of the Central Pavilion on the Alameda campus.

The team behind SCARM, composed of Master’s in Telecommunications and Informatics Engineering students André Melão, Diogo Correia, Joana Costa, and Ricardo Santos, created an innovative solution aimed at making pedestrian crossings safer and more inclusive for people with reduced mobility. Inspired by a common challenge faced by millions, the system uses RFID wireless technology to automatically detect pedestrians with special needs, intelligently adjusting traffic light timings to ensure a more comfortable and autonomous crossing experience.

In the final session, two teams presented their projects: SCARM and Biko. The jury, composed of Teresa Vazão (course coordinator), Luís Caldas de Oliveira (Técnico professor), and Luís Mendes (Chief Technical Titan at Critical TechWorks), evaluated the projects based on innovation, applicability, and social impact.

The Biko project, developed by Master’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering students Arttu Antikainen, Jack Trimmer, Mafalda Brito, Pedro Pinheiro, and Ricardo Martins, tackled the concerns related to urban cycling, such as theft and vandalism. The team proposed a mobile application featuring safety functionalities, including a real-time camera, to enhance user confidence.

During the ceremony, Miguel Teixeira, President of the Pedagogical Council at Técnico, praised the students' dedication and highlighted the importance of such initiatives in promoting hands-on learning. “We want to train engineers who are ready for the real world,” he stated.

Christine Marconcin, COO of Critical TechWorks, emphasized the high quality of the projects and reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting education and innovation developed in Portugal, noting that “a significant portion of the BMW Group’s technology is created here.” She also encouraged the students to spread the word and expressed her hope of receiving their applications in the future.

All finalists received participation certificates, and the SCARM team was awarded a monetary prize of €7,000. Additionally, Critical TechWorks donated €1,160 to DEEC to support the continuous improvement of the Vehicular Networks course unit. The department’s head, Nuno Horta, thanked the company and congratulated the students for their outstanding work.

News and photo source: Técnico