FlashGuard

The University of Moratuwa's Team FlashGuard, which includes me and three of my friends, Sasmitha Manathunga, Anuki Pasqual and Supun Dasantha Kuruppu, devised the FlashGuard project, which suggests developing smart glasses that will safeguard people with photosensitive epilepsy in real time. The glasses utilize a combination of a camera, microcontroller, and electrochromic glass lenses to detect potential seizure triggers and promptly darken the lenses to prevent harm to the user. The project aims to significantly improve the quality of life for those with photosensitive epilepsy, allowing them to engage in daily activities without constant concern about seizures.

FlashGuard mobile application is included with the suggested device, FlashGuard, which functions when combined with the glasses. The app allows users to fine-tune detection settings, provide feedback on the effectiveness of the glasses, and view a history of triggers and feedback. The device's functionality involves real-time video processing, cloud connectivity, and data analysis to optimize parameters based on user conditions.

Currently we're using core technologies such as an ESP32 camera microcontroller, OpenCV library for video processing, React Native framework for the mobile app, and Azure web services for cloud connectivity and data analysis. The business plan includes developing a working prototype, testing it with a small group of individuals with photosensitive epilepsy, obtaining regulatory approval, and eventually commercializing the product. The team envisions sustaining the business through a subscription fee to cover cloud services and customization, aiming to continually improve the device through ongoing research and development.

FlashGuard aims to address a gap in the market, as there are currently no similar products offering real-time protection against photosensitive epileptic triggers. With a focus on innovation and the potential positive impact on individuals with photosensitive epilepsy, the project anticipates commercial viability and success in the market with regulatory approval and successful testing.

We have triumphed in a few competitions thus far.

1. Champions in Brainstorm'23 Biomedical Competition, which was put on by the University of Moratuwa IEEE EMBS Student Branch Chapter and the Biomedical Community of UOM
2. Champions of the recently concluded MECHA 2023, medical electronics and coding hackathon organised by the Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Medicine - University of Colombo.
3. 3rd Place in EXMO Innovation Competition, which was held by the Everbolt Engineering (Pvt) Ltd Company to evaluate Electrical and Electronic innovations that were selected from the EXMO exhibits
4. Our device was exhibited at the flagship technological exhibition, EXMO - University of Moratuwa 2023
5. Furthermore we've applied to Microsoft Imagincup 2024 innovation competition and Dialog Innovation Challenge 2023

I must express my gratitude to Professor Dilshani Dissanayaka of the physiology department of the medical faculty of Columbo University in Sri Lanka in the interim. She advised and assisted us thus far in developing this concept and testing the MVP at the physiology department utilizing EEG devices. I am grateful to my sister Armandi Nanayakkara, who studied under Professor Dilshani at the Colombo Medical Faculty. It was Armandi who made contact with us, Professor Dilshani. A special thanks goes out to professor Chandana Gamage from the computer science and engineering department at the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka, who assisted us in refining our MVP and offering guidance when we applied the idea for the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2023.