DrowsiGuard, a drowsiness detection system, takes first place among 15 participating ventures in NEXUS Innovation Summit 2026 held at the Nexus Atrium, May 18.
In an interview with Lavoxa Online, fourth-year De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) computer engineering student and DrowsiGuard enthusiast, Aryll Morales, discussed that the artificial intelligence-driven system alerts users of fatigue levels, thereby limiting labor hazards.
“Syempre sa panahon po natin ngayon [na] mainit […], [laborers] are working very hard and accidents tend to happen, DrowsiGuard is something that can help [them] to […] be safe. […] chinecheck niya ‘yung drowsiness level based on their eyes and it will alert them,” Morales explained.
Furthermore, Morales shared how the NEXUS incubation program helped refine the inventors’ idea through expert guidance and critical feedback from the judges.
“With the [help] of […] NEXUS incubation program, […] nakita po natin ‘yung mga […] possible points of improvement po. […] through this incubation, we are able to find […] these holes […] [and use it as a] concrete [foundation] para ma-fill yung holes na ‘yon,” he added.
Moreover, NEXUS Officer Aisa Mijeno-Labastilla asserted that aspiring innovators may seek support from various organizations to help bring their initiatives to life.
“[If] you really [want] to push forward with your idea, there are [many available] organizations, […] all you need to do is tap them and ask them. […] collaboration is really very important in terms of […] building your projects or even being an entrepreneur,” she said.
With a PHP10,000 grand prize, DrowsiGuard set the benchmark alongside the runners-up such as BrailleSense, FitFighter, and Wastore who won monetary prizes of PHP8,000, PHP6,000, and PHP4,000, respectively.
The summit gathered various startup founders, student innovators, and community partners aiming to contribute to the local technology industry.
