CMKL Student Team Wins AIS Jump Hackathon 2025 with PathSense Innovation
Bangkok, Thailand – PathSense, an innovative AI-powered navigation aid for the visually impaired developed by students from CMKL University, has claimed victory at the prestigious AIS Jump Hackathon 2025. The win highlights the ingenuity of the student team and the potential of their technology to significantly improve accessibility.
This groundbreaking project is the result of dedicated work by second-year Artificial Intelligence and Computer Engineering (AiCE) students: Jira Pitakwong, Sirichada Wattanasiritanawong, Chawin Luangtumrongjareon, Natthanon Prajogo, and Phakin Dhamsirimongkol.
AI-Powered Solution Addresses Navigation Gaps
PathSense was conceived to overcome the limitations of traditional white canes, which cannot detect overhead obstacles or differentiate object types. The device uses a camera, attachable to a user's bag, to capture environmental images. An AI system processes these images in real-time to identify potential hazards, delivering audio descriptions and alerts via a connected mobile application. The team has focused on creating an affordable yet highly functional solution to promote inclusive accessibility.
Journey to Victory: From Classroom to Competition
The PathSense project began during the team's freshman year as part of the compulsory Undergraduate R&D (URD) curriculum in CMKL’s AiCE Program. Continuous development and refinement, driven by the goal of creating a practical, real-world solution, culminated in their successful participation and ultimate win at the AIS Jump Hackathon 2025.
Recognition and Future Ambitions
Winning the hackathon marks a significant milestone for the PathSense team, validating their hard work and innovation. Reflecting on their journey, the team shared: “We started this project as a freshman-year assignment, but now we’re looking at the bigger picture—where we want PathSense to be in the next five years. Thanks to CMKL’s support, we’ve gained the confidence to continue innovating and making a real-world impact.”
Despite the accolades, the students remain focused on enhancing their creation. “Up until now, PathSense is already among the most affordable solutions in the market, our goal is to further reduce its costs while enhancing its features and efficiency. We aim to integrate the AI-powered voice interaction, enabling users to engage with the device in a natural and intuitive way,” the student developers stated, looking towards the future development post-win.
CMKL's Supportive Ecosystem Fosters Success
The students credit CMKL University's dynamic learning environment for contributing significantly to their success. The AiCE Program’s competency-based curriculum uniquely blends AI expertise with entrepreneurial skills and allows the flexibility needed for hands-on innovation alongside academic studies.
“Our advisor, Assistant Professor Panarat Cherntanomwong, has played a crucial role in shaping our project. She not only provided constructive feedback on our prototypes but also connected us with industry experts. These experiences have deepened our understanding of both product development and business management,” the team explained. They added, “Working on PathSense has been an incredible opportunity to apply what we learn in class to a real-world problem. The support from our lecturers and advisors has made this journey fun, exciting, and full of possibilities.”
CMKL: Cultivating Thailand's AI Talent
As Thailand's pioneering AI-focused university located in Bangkok, CMKL is committed to nurturing young talent in vital fields like AI and digital engineering.
