Lin Wins U.S. DOT Inclusive Design Challenge Stage II
ECE Assistant Professor Xue “Shelley” Lin, together with Prof. Nicholas Giudice and Prof. Richard Corey at U Maine, and Prof. Stacy Doore at Colby College, became a Finalist Awardee and will receive $300k for winning the prize in the second phase of the national 2022 Inclusive Design Challenge from U.S. Department of Transportation. They created “Ava” (Autonomous Vehicle Assistant), an innovative ride-hailing and localization smartphone application, which is designed to seamlessly assist passengers with visual impairment and older adults during pre-journey planning, travel to pick-up locations, and vehicle entry. Their work was celebrated during the 2022 DOT Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary Ceremony and was announced as the third-place winner.