KU student’s smart wheelchair project wins second place at national innovation fair
KU Student’s Smart Wheelchair Wins National Fair Prize
Bdbusinessdaily.com – A KU student’s smart wheelchair project has secured second place in the individual category at the Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026. The low-cost intelligent mobility system was designed to help people with physical disabilities who may find conventional powered-wheelchair controls difficult to use.
The project, named Smart Wheelchair, was developed by Azmain Inquaid Haque, a Computer Science and Engineering student at Khulna University. Dr GM Atiqur Rahman, director of the KU Innovation Hub, supervised the work.
AI-Based Control for Greater Accessibility
Unlike a standard powered wheelchair that depends mainly on a joystick, the system uses multimodal artificial intelligence to respond to body movements a user is able to make. This approach aims to give users an alternative way to control a wheelchair when hand, arm or finger movement is limited.
The KU student’s smart wheelchair concept focuses on adapting technology to the needs of individual users. By allowing different movement inputs, the project seeks to make independent mobility more practical for people who cannot comfortably operate traditional wheelchair controls.
Affordability is also a key feature of the proposal. Haque said the initial version could be developed for approximately Tk30,000, making the technology a potentially more accessible option for users and families seeking assistive mobility solutions.
The initial version of the technology can be developed at a cost of approximately Tk30,000, helping make it a practical alternative for people who face difficulties using conventional wheelchair controls.
Recognition at Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026
The Smart Wheelchair project competed against 963 entries at the national fair. It advanced to the top 50, then the top 10, before winning second place in the individual category.
The Ministry of Science and Technology organised the three-day Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026 under the themes “Innovate to Market” and “Innovation Ecosystem Toward Trillion Dollar Economy.” The event opened at Novo Theatre in Dhaka on 12 September, where Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the fair.
During the programme, Haque demonstrated the wheelchair system to the prime minister. The prime minister expressed support for the initiative and pledged to help connect the project with the ICT Ministry and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for further development.
Khulna University Projects Also Stand Out
Khulna University was named among the five leading universities at the fair. Nine KU teams presented projects related to healthcare, environmental issues, campus security, energy efficiency and digital tools.
The university’s entries included Smart Wheelchair, Neo Saver, AI-based Campus Security, Bliss Sihat, High Voltage Energy-Efficient 3D Printer, Ecolink, AI-powered ECG Screening Device, True-Sight and Urban Earth.
Dr Atiqur Rahman said the University Innovation Hub Programme selected the teams, provided mentoring and funding, and supported their preparation for the national event. The KU student’s smart wheelchair award reflects how student-led research can address practical accessibility challenges through affordable technology.
The success of the KU teams at this prestigious national event is the result of the hub's continued efforts to nurture and support innovative ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Smart Wheelchair project? It is an intelligent powered-wheelchair system that uses multimodal artificial intelligence and body movements as alternative control inputs.
Who developed the project? Azmain Inquaid Haque, a Computer Science and Engineering student at Khulna University, developed the project under the supervision of Dr GM Atiqur Rahman.
How much could the first version cost? The initial version is expected to cost about Tk30,000 to develop.
Why is the project important in Bangladesh? It proposes a lower-cost assistive technology option for people who face difficulties using conventional joystick-controlled wheelchairs.