Winning ideas from IT is ME Student Innovation Competition

Mixed reality in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, a system that monitors mental wellbeing using smartphone data, an app to aid in the detection of skin conditions, and an autonomous boat controlled by artificial intelligence - these are the projects that won awards in the final of the IT is ME Student Innovation Competition. Among the best were also initiatives by AGH University students.

More than 50 projects from universities across Poland were submitted to the competition, and 11 teams qualified to the final. The presented solutions demonstrated that young engineers are increasingly focusing on technologies that address specific challenges facing the modern world in the fields of healthcare, mental health, cybersecurity, emergency response, accessibility, and defence.

Technologies for health and safety

First place in the competition was awarded to a project using mixed reality for the diagnosis and assessment of neurodegenerative diseases, prepared by a team from AGH University comprising: Martyna Baran, Martyna Fröhlich, Wojciech Szecówka, Justyna Krzywdziak and Miłosz Dudek. The solution uses mixed reality glasses fitted with a set of sensors that track the patient's body movements, gaze, and speech. The data is analysed by artificial intelligence algorithms that enable the detection of subtle changes that can aid in the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease. The project was also recognised by a Kraków-based NGO supporting start-ups and, as a result, will receive mentoring on the commercialisation and implementation of the solution.

Second place went to MindPulse, a project developed by Mateusz Czajka and Natalia Szymczak from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan. It is a digital health system that analyses smartphone usage patterns and identifies signs that may indicate a decline in the user's mental wellbeing. The solution uses interpretable machine learning models and has been designed in accordance with the principle of privacy by design, without analysing users' private content.

Third place was taken by an app for recognising and monitoring skin conditions, developed by AGH University students: Natalia Poźniak, Patryk Mikos, Adam Czakon, Maria Pichór, Hubert Wierzbicki and Anna Kostecka. The app uses three artificial intelligence models to recognise 14 skin conditions, monitor changes in moles, and analyse acne lesions. The project can support preventive healthcare and make it easier for patients and doctors to monitor changes in the skin over time.

The award of the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs was presented to Celka AI, a project developed by a team from AGH University consisting of: Michał Zawada, Filip Nawalaniec, Julia Czekańska, Mateusz Kalandyk, Mateusz Jaźwiecki, Dawid Stęposz and Kacper Ćwiokowski. Celka AI is an autonomous boat equipped with a perception system based on LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, stereoscopic cameras, and artificial intelligence algorithms. The design integrates mechanics, electronics, and software into a single coherent system capable of autonomous navigation and real-time decision-making. The solution was tested during the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge and could be applied in areas such as infrastructure monitoring and autonomous water transport. Celka AI is implemented by the AGH Solar Boat Student Research Club.

Innovations with implementation potential

The finalists also included projects related to drone detection, intelligent traffic management, rescue support systems, cybersecurity, medical dosimetry, devices to assist people with visual impairments, and autonomous delivery of defibrillators using drones.

The final of the fourth edition of the IT is ME competition took place on 12 May 2026 at the Faculty of Computer Science as part of AGH IT Future Day 2026, an event dedicated to practical applications of modern information technologies. The AGH IT Future Day programme featured presentations by experts from technology companies and institutions such as Visa, Euroclear, HSBC, Motorola Solutions, BNP Paribas and GE Healthcare. AGH University was represented by the Centre for Cooperation and Technology Transfer. During the event, participants also had the opportunity to meet representatives from Flightscape - Powered by CAE, Zooplus and the Krakow City of Startups Foundation, and discuss career development opportunities, internships, and work placements.

The IT is ME competition and AGH IT Future Day have once again demonstrated that students at Polish universities not only stay abreast of the latest technological trends, but also develop solutions that can have a real impact on the quality of life and the modern society.

Photo gallery