COMPUTER Engineering students of the University of San Carlos were named as National Runner-up in this year’s James Dyson Award.

Clyde Matthew Condor, Danica Marie Dumalagan, Klyle Alexandre Luchavez, and Jun Niel Paquibot were recognized for their AI-Assisted Functional Electrical Stimulation Device.

Associate Prof. Luis Gerardo Cañete Jr. of the Department of Computer Engineering served as the group’s mentor.

USC said the device is powered by a power bank that uses artificial intelligence and electrical current to make paralyzed fingers move again.

“Their goal is to develop an adaptive system that responds to real-time physiological changes in patients, identifying the ideal electrode location for stimulation with the aim of enhancing the efficacy of rehabilitation,” the school said.

“Compared to existing electrical stimulation systems, the device developed by the USC team is unique. Aside from using AI to automate the electrode location, it also incorporates finger motion measurement using sensors and electrode selection via a switching circuit. As such, the device requires minimal operator intervention or adjustment,” it added.

The students said that their long-term goal is to achieve “fine control of finger movement which allows functional movement such as grasping to be used for manipulation of objects.”

This, they said, would help post-stroke patients regain the use of their hands and improve their overall quality of life.

The James Dyson Award is open to current and recent design engineering students and is run by the James Dyson Foundation.