By: Nicole Llanderal
Photo Courtesy: Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Developing artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) prototypes that address real-world problems, particularly focusing on accessibility for persons with disabilities, is a pioneering step of innovation in Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila. The first student development team was pioneering this innovation composed of students from different programs last September 15.
One of the team’s standout members, Jhinel Miqaella J. Trillanes from the Senior High School Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) strand, shared insights about their impactful projects designed to empower persons with disabilities through affordable assistive technologies.
“We are developing two assistive prototypes. Signs to Touch is a wearable translation system that converts static sign language into tactile Braille using flex sensors and an Arduino-powered mini Braille board,” she stated. This device bridges communication gaps between deaf and blind individuals, eliminating the need for expensive interpreters.
Another prototype aims to support visually impaired learners in inclusive classrooms, ensuring they have better access to education. “AudiBraille, on the other hand, combines text-to-Braille, Braille-to-text, and audio output in a portable device, supporting visually impaired learners in inclusive classrooms.”
These prototypes go beyond innovation; they directly respond to accessibility challenges in both urban and underserved rural areas. Jhinel emphasized that the team’s goal is for these devices to be affordable and scalable, making educational and communication tools more accessible worldwide especially for communities with limited access to assistive technology.
Collaboration is key to the team’s success, with students pooling their expertise across different fields. Jhinel explained, "Our team blends expertise from different fields. Some members focus on electronics and Arduino coding, while others specialize in design, hardware assembly, and research on inclusive education. By combining technical skills with social awareness, we make sure our prototypes are not just functional but also accessible, user-friendly, and responsive to the needs of real communities."
Yet, the journey has not been without hurdles. Jhinel candidly shared, “One of the biggest challenges was the lack of advanced resources and funding. We overcame this by using affordable and improvised materials, like cardboard and miniature components, to demonstrate our concepts while keeping costs low. We also faced the challenge of balancing innovation with accessibility, which pushed us to simplify our designs without losing effectiveness.
Guiding these students is Engineer Christian Arnel Alcantara from the College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT), who expressed the broader vision behind the multidisciplinary AI and IoT team.
“Our vision is to create a learning space where students from different fields can work together on AI and IoT. Even if we are just starting, the aim is clear: to train students to think of sustainable solutions that address real problems. By working as a team, they can combine skills, learn collaboration, and grow into innovators who will contribute to society,” he said.
Engr. Alcantara sees immense potential for the prototypes to impact societal issues such as disability support, energy efficiency, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster preparedness. He emphasizes that even at this early stage of ideation, the focus is on sustainability and practical impact. The main challenges involve building a solid foundation through training, confidence-building, and resource limitations. To address this, the team is actively seeking partnerships with industry and research institutions to gain mentorship and access to tools.
Engr. Alcantara also envisions the team progressing from small-scale projects to collaborations that refine and test prototypes for real-world application. He stressed the importance of academic institutions like Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila in promoting innovation in AI and IoT.
“Schools must go beyond classroom lessons and encourage students to create, innovate, and collaborate. With the right guidance and industry collaboration, our students can turn knowledge into solutions that truly make a difference,” he affirmed.
To keep up with the fast-evolving fields of AI and IoT, the team actively engages with research articles, technology forums, and global cases of accessibility innovations. "What drives us most," Jhinel added, "is the vision of making education and communication accessible for everyone, regardless of location or resources."
Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila’s student team is not just building technology but they are shaping a future where innovation promotes inclusion and sustainability. Their pioneering efforts embody the spirit of creativity guided by empathy and social responsibility, marking a historic milestone as Colegio's first-ever dedicated AI and IoT development team.