A project designed by five LAU engineering students to improve the mobility of people with disabilities was awarded first place in the November Tech-Driven Innovation for Sustainable Health & Wellbeing Challenge organized by the Cultural and Educational Institute for Development and Research (CEIDR) and hosted by the Lebanese Ministry of Culture.

AUTOTHRONE, a stair-climbing wheelchair, was developed by a student team consisting of third-year mechanical engineering students Charbel El Hayeck and Jad Al Fakhry, along with mechatronics engineering students Charbel Chaaya, Edward Moawad and Sami Trad. The team worked under the supervision of Assistant Professor Charbel Dalely Tawk, with mentorship from Associate Professor Roland Bejjani and Instructor Elie Bachir.

The students initially created AUTOTHRONE for Engineering Day in Spring 2025. In the months that followed, they continued refining their accessibility solution, demonstrating the spirit of innovation that defines LAU’s School of Engineering (SOE).

The team drew inspiration from the challenges people with disabilities encounter daily. El Hayeck explained, “We saw how many people struggle with accessibility in daily life, especially when it comes to stairs.” Hence, they wanted “to find a solution that restores independence and removes barriers in both public and private spaces,” added Al Fakhry. This focus on real-life needs guided every stage of development.

To devise a safe and stable stair-climbing mechanism demanded both ingenuity and perseverance. The team noted that their biggest technical challenge was ensuring stability on the stairs. “We overcame it through continuous prototyping, adjusting the mechanism and carefully testing weight balance and gear performance,” Chaaya reflected.

Looking ahead, the students hope AUTOTHRONE will meaningfully enhance the lives of individuals with mobility challenges. “We envision it helping users move confidently in areas that lack accessibility. Our hope is that it provides greater independence and reduces daily limitations,” Moawad said, adding that future improvements will focus on comfort, safety features and energy efficiency.

Far from stopping at this stage, the team plans “to keep exploring new technologies that make mobility devices smarter and more effective,” said Trad.

AUTOTHRONE’s excellence stems from both technical skill and determination, showcasing the strength of LAU’s approach to applied learning and innovation, said Dr. Tawk. The device, he added, was built not only from the knowledge students gain in their courses but also from their drive to create something meaningful.

Dr. Tawk supported the students in choosing appropriate materials and mechanisms and using 3D printing at the school’s state-of-the-art labs to achieve a lightweight yet functional structure. Selecting the right sensors was another key element in turning the wheelchair into a smart device. He highlighted the importance of developing technologies that address societal needs, noting that Lebanon’s ongoing financial challenges make affordable and reliable solutions more essential than ever.

To that end, engineering students are encouraged to innovate with purpose and benefit from access to advanced laboratories, equipment, and tools that enable them to develop solutions with tangible societal impact, he said, urging them to dream boldly, work diligently, and take full advantage of the opportunities available at LAU.

“The theme of our yearly Engineering Project Day is “A Project for a Purpose,” encouraging our students to develop products that impact society using LAU SOE’s state-of-the-art facilities. As faculty, we are always prepared to support and mentor our students in every possible way,” he added.

Reflecting on LAU’s vital role in their success, the award-winning students shared their appreciation for the strong guidance, abundant resources, and supportive environment offered by the university, as mentors and peers alike helped shape their ideas and strengthen their final project.

They also expressed their immense pride and motivation after winning first place for AUTOTHRONE, noting that the award validates their hard work and inspires them both personally and professionally to continue pushing forward.

Through achievements like this, LAU continues to nurture talent, inspire innovation and empower students to imagine a world where technology truly transforms lives. AUTOTHRONE is more than innovation; it shows that student ingenuity can dismantle barriers and redefine how we experience the world.