Innovation took centre stage at the i-IDEA Crystal Innovation Competition 2025, hosted by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Arau, Perlis, where bright minds from across Malaysia showcased groundbreaking projects. Among the standout entries was TrashTrack, an IoT-based smart waste management system developed by a team from the School of Information Technology (SOIT), SEGi College Penang, which proudly won the silver medal in Event F (Community Development).
The talented team — Lam Yong Qin, Kiven Raj, Kwok Tze Xuan, and Tan Kai Xiang — impressed the judges with their solution to one of the most pressing urban challenges: effective waste management. TrashTrack combines ultrasonic and infrared sensors for real-time monitoring of garbage levels and human presence, with a user-friendly dashboard that translates live data into actionable insights. Its AI-powered segregation feature reduces manual labour, prevents overflow, and improves hygiene, setting a new benchmark for community-driven innovation.
By weaving together STEM disciplines and IR4.0 technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), TrashTrack demonstrates how technology can be harnessed to address real-world problems with measurable community impact.
Beyond the competition stage, TrashTrack has already made waves in the research and innovation space. The system is commercialised and protected under the Malaysian Copyright Act and has been highlighted in two peer-reviewed publications, including the IVCCII 2025: Compilation of Extended Abstracts and The 14th International Invention, Innovation & Design Competition 2025. With a Publication Index of 2, the project continues to grow its academic footprint, with future plans to explore advanced AI algorithms, broader IoT applications, and enhanced community-based solutions.
This milestone reflects SEGi’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, STEM education, and the practical application of cutting-edge technologies. Most importantly, TrashTrack’s success supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 13: Climate Action — proving that student innovation can power sustainable, technology-driven futures.