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APU's Secure Path AGV achieves highest accolades in Brussels
FINAL-YEAR engineering undergraduates Chong Chan Heng, Goh Chuk Fun, Pang Cheng Hsiang and Samantha Koay Yenn Xian – known as the Fantastic 4.0 from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) Centre for Research and Development of IoT (CREDIT) – have made history with their efforts to engineer an autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) with purpose.
These bright young engineers won the Platinum Medal Award at the virtual Eureka International Brussels Invention and Innovation Competition 2025, held in Belgium from April 6 to 7.
Their innovation, the 'SecurePath AGV', is a highly intelligent AGV designed to improve safety and emergency response capabilities.
Combining artificial intelligence (AI) with sophisticated robotics, a custom LLM chatbot, computer vision for detection, and a navigation system, the SecurePath AGV offers practical social engineering solutions that can be deployed in any environment.
Representing the Fantastic 4.0, Chong explained that the key to clinching the win lay in the complexity of the innovation's application, the clarity with which the team illustrated its real-world impact, and the strength of their system architecture presentation during the judging session.
'We did face a few hurdles – tight deadlines for getting everything completed, stiff competition from the highly talented international teams, and the need to technically present the product's complexity to a panel of international judges within a limited time,' he shared.
Through this competition, the team learnt how to pitch complex engineering ideas in a way that is both clear and convincing, highlight key points of innovation and practicality, and accept constructive criticism.
'We also got to see a lot of cutting-edge ideas from other international participants, which really broadened our understanding of what's trending in tech innovation worldwide.
'It was exciting. It was a fantastic experience to showcase our project on an international stage, meet other innovators and swap ideas across different fields,' Chong said, adding that the competition added value to their studies at APU.
'It has helped us put the technical knowledge we have gained on campus to good use in a real-world context, sharpened our critical thinking and presentation skills, and given us a real boost of confidence for tackling future engineering challenges,' he said.
Beyond the Platinum Medal, the team also secured three additional special awards: one from Innovation Initiative Co-operative Inc. 'The Inventors Circle' (Toronto, Canada), another from the Turkish Inventors Association, and a third from the National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest.
According to APU chief innovation and enterprise officer Prof Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, this recognition reaffirms APU's commitment to nurturing talent into innovators who address complex social challenges by bridging computational and engineering skills.
He explained that these APU students have shown just how well Malaysian universities can compete and excel on the global stage.
'The SecurePath AGV is not your ordinary robot. Infused with AI, it was built on the robust SCUTTLE robotic platform with a sturdy aluminium frame.
'It uses SLAM navigation for independent patrolling, machine vision to spot falls and recognise faces, an LLM-powered chatbot for natural chat, and an automated emergency dispensing system to provide medical supplies as required in various environments,' he said.
CREDIT head Assistant Prof Narendran Ramasenderan, who mentored the students alongside Krishna Ravinchandra, congratulated the Fantastic 4.0 on their success.
Narendran said the SecurePath AGV was the result of months of hard graft, technical brilliance and innovative thinking.
'These students have proven that APU's hands-on, project-based learning approach produces graduates who are ready to take on global challenges,' he said.
CREDIT has been instrumental in developing cutting-edge IoT solutions across various industries, and this latest award adds to the centre's growing list of international accolades, solidifying APU's reputation as a technological innovation hub in Malaysia and the Asean region.
The team's multi-award-winning rover can independently navigate busy retail spaces, identify emergency situations, chat with people via voice or text, and provide immediate access to medical supplies through cleverly designed servo-controlled compartments.
For APU, this international recognition highlights the university's successful approach to education – one that emphasises the practical application of classroom learning alongside the development of high-level industry skills to prepare graduates for the real world.
