Pembroke Pines Charter High Students Named Global Winners in “Made to Move™ Communities™ Challenge”

 

After defeating teams from Japan, China and Türkiye, the Robotics and Engineering Student Team from Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCH) has been named the Global Winner in the 5th Annual “Made to Move™ Communities™ Challenge” presented by Otis. This annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) competition had more than 250 students from 28 schools located in the company’s four regions – Americas, Asia Pacific, China and EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) propose ways for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve urban mobility. Each year, the challenge focuses on a different theme that aligns with global priorities.

Students in the competition share how their solution to a challenge can be scaled globally and then presented to a judging panel of Otis senior executives. The PPCH students created and presented a smartphone application that uses AI to aid individuals with visual impairments by providing the ability to navigate surroundings using musical notes as feedback. The App is called IRIS and uses LiDAR technology, as well as a type of AI called spatial computing.

Throughout the year, the PPCH students worked with engineers and conducted research with organizations such as the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, to create this innovative application. They published their code on Github so they can continue to work collaboratively with other software developers and improve their IRIS app with additional features. Their ultimate goal is that IRIS will be an all-encompassing App that can truly help others with many different disabilities from all around the world.

The winning Robotics and Engineering Student Team consists of Emiliano Salgado (senior); Mia Fu (senior); Max Wyborny (senior); Chinedu Okpala (senior); Reuben Sherry (senior); Matthew Saintilus (senior); Steve Jacob (junior); Umer Qureshi (sophomore); and Caitlin Estevez (freshman).

This award earned the school’s Robotics program $35,000, which will be used to purchase new robots for their fast-growing robotics teams, tools, 3D printers and drone equipment needed to start competing in the “Drones in Schools” racing competition.

Otis, headquartered in Connecticut, is a global leader in the manufacture, installation and servicing of elevators and escalators with the industry’s largest service portfolio of over 2.4 million units. The “Made to Move™ Communities™ Challenge” was launched in 2020 to develop innovative solutions with the potential to create more connected communities and improve mobility for all.

 

Photo Courtesy of City of Pembroke Pines

Story Courtesy of City of Pembroke Pines

Date Posted: May 7, 2025