Two (2) SMU-led technical research papers were presented and published in the 5th International Conference on Biomedical Engineering (iBioMed2024) conducted Oct 23 – 25, 2024 in Bali, Indonesia.

One of the two papers won the INTERNATIONAL BEST PAPER AWARD. The said research paper entitled, “Development of an Integrated Off-grid Audio and Haptic Wearable Vest for Visually Impaired Navigation” was presented by Carlamae Nicole D. Ventura, BSECE. Her co-authors from Saint Mary’s University (SMU), Philippines are Alyssa Jean M. Laygo, BSECE, Engr. Angelino A. Pimentel, MSECE, Engr. Teofilo M. Sagabaen, ECE and Engr. Rojan I. Reyes, ECE. The study was made possible through the authors’ collaboration with Dr. Renann G. Baldovino from De La Salle University (DLSU), Philippines. Other international collaborators are Dr. Aaron Raymond A. See from National Chin-Yi University of Technology (NCUT), Taiwan and Dr. Ji-Jer Huang from Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (STUST), Taiwan.

The second paper entitled, “Optimized Obstacle Detection for the Visually Impaired using a Machine Learning-based Modified Map Function for Ultrasonic Sensors” was presented by Engr. Angelino A. Pimentel, MSECE. His co-authors from Saint Mary’s University (SMU), Philippines are Engr. Gerene-Leigh C. Almazan, ECE, Engr. Roy Benjamin G. Cataquiz, ECE, Precious Chrisel M. Bautista, BSECE, Lexa Glizel A. Altre, BSECE. The study was made possible through the authors’ collaboration with Dr. Renann G. Baldovino from De La Salle University (DLSU), Philippines. Other international collaborators are Dr. Aaron Raymond A. See from National Chin-Yi University of Technology (NCUT), Taiwan and Dr. Ji-Jer Huang from Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (STUST), Taiwan.

The developmental works of the two research endeavors were supported by the Php 1,000,000.00 grant from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) with PCIEERD Project No. 1211590.

*The said peer-reviewed technical papers will soon be published in IEEE and indexed in Scopus and/or SCI/ISI. Related patents and designs are in-progress.