AI-powered smart fire guidance system by Taiwanese students wins world invention gold

Students from Pinglin Elementary School in Chiayi County, Taiwan, have achieved international recognition, clinching a gold medal at the 2026 WICO World Invention Competition held in Seoul, South Korea. Competing against 373 inventions from 26 countries, the school's team impressed judges with their "Smart Fire Evacuation Guidance Light."

“

The award-winning project's inspiration came from the children's detailed observation of their hometown, where students noticed the phenomenon of an aging population and considered how elderly people with mobility issues or hearing impairments could safely escape in the event of a fire.

The innovative system was inspired by the students' keen observation of the aging population in their hometown. They sought to address the challenges faced by elderly residents, particularly those with mobility issues or hearing impairments, during fire emergencies. This led to the development of a "smart fire evacuation system" that blends technological advancement with a deep sense of humanistic care.

The award-winning device integrates four core functions: intelligent evacuation guidance, voice-based evacuation prompts, AI-powered recognition of low-posture evacuation, and smart smoke door control. When a fire alarm sounds, the system can actively identify the direction of smoke and flames, guiding individuals along the safest escape routes. It also provides calming voice instructions tailored for the elderly.

“

The system integrates smart evacuation guidance, voice evacuation prompts, AI low-posture recognition, and smart smoke door control.

Furthermore, the AI camera can detect if evacuees are maintaining a low posture, a crucial technique for survival in smoky conditions, thereby significantly increasing the chances of survival in a fire. The system's practicality and thoughtful design earned high praise from the competition's judges. School principal Liu Li-yin attributed the success to the school's long-term commitment to technology education, with teachers guiding students in programming, AI applications, and maker education to foster problem-solving skills and global communication abilities.

“

The AI camera can instantly identify whether evacuees are maintaining a low posture, greatly increasing the survival rate in fire scenes, and its practicality has earned the admiration and praise of the judges.