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While living in his hometown in Nigeria, Africa, John Akujobi recalls a tragic construction accident in which a bricklayer backing up a wheelbarrow didn’t realize his proximity to the edge of a four story scaffold and fell to his death. The incident stuck with him.

As he progressed in his computer science studies and through conversations with his friends at South Dakota State University, Akujobi discovered the power of sensors, algorithms and machine learning. He realized those things hold the potential for preventing such future tragedies.  

His solution, a wearable safety system named AMBER – Affordable Multimodal Sensor-Based Environmental Risk Detector designed to alert workers in real-time of environmental hazards in their blind spots.

Akujobi is one of 12 Future Innovators of America chosen by the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering in 2025. 

Recipients are awarded $5,000 with $4,500 as a stipend and $500 to cover the cost of lab supplies or travel to disseminate the results of their project. 

The fellowships were created to provide unique research opportunities for undergraduate students in the college. Any student is eligible to apply as long as they are attending full time and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Application deadline was Nov. 5. 

Each student worked with a potential project mentor, who must be a faculty or research staff member, to develop and submit a research plan that entails learning by doing. 

Base model uses six sensors

Akujobi is working with Chulwoo Pack, an assistant professor in computer science who has extensive experience in the research of artificial intelligence and automation. Akujobi submitted his proposal in December and began work on it in January. By mid-March, the hardware of the prototype was virtually complete.

The device consists of six sensors—two lasers, two ultrasonic and two using microwave doppler radar. In a sense, the sensors serve as eyes in the back of your head, alerting the wearer to hazards behind them like sudden drops, holes or obstacles. The device offers various ways the wearer could be notified — lights, sound or vibration with Akujobi working to determine the best option.

Akujobi also does not want to forget the first word in the AMBER acronym—affordable. He chose cost effective sensors while keeping reliability. Right now, he pegs the current sensor costs at $12. When including the helmet, feedback mechanisms, microcontroller, wiring, board and AMBER harness, the complete setup for the experimental build goes up to $94.

Enhanced version uses AI, camera

Looking ahead, Akujobi is planning and developing an enhanced model that uses a camera and artificial intelligence to expand its detection capabilities. Powered by a Raspberry Pi computer fitted with an AI computing module, this model would extend the device’s effective range well beyond the current 5 to 10 feet. However, this enhanced functionality comes with a higher cost — roughly $300 — due to the increased computational power and additional components needed, while still maintaining portability.

Long term, Akujobi would like to make the device more compact and integrate directly the hard hat. For now, the current build makes the most sense financially and experimentally to keep AMBER portable. Some components are weatherproof, Akujobi said.

He got a head start on working with sensors and microcontrollers in summer 2024 when, as a personal project, he developed “VibraView,” which is a handheld device that uses automatic sensors to guide the user in an environment where there is no vision. The sensors create variable vibrations when they come close to objects, Akujobi explained.

A transformative experience at ����ֱ��app

Akujobi arrived here as a freshman in December 2021. “What a shock,” he said, laughing, about the jump from the mid 90s of his hometown to the -20s of South Dakota winters. Since then, ����ֱ��app has become a second home and his experience has been wonderful. 

“I love ����ֱ��app a lot. I’ve been able to connect with many people, from many cultures and backgrounds.” He said.

Akujobi has been involved with the Association for Computer Machinery, initially serving as a tutor, then secretary, vice president and now president. He has worked for ����ֱ��app’s Division of Research for three years doing website design, data entry, analytics and tabulation and has served as a lab assistant for computer science 100 for two fall semesters. 

You might also spot him working with customers at Jackrabbit Central, the university’s merchandise store. In Brookings, he also enjoys going on bike rides, fishing and kayaking at the Dakota Nature Park.

Akujobi, who describes himself as a reserved and very nerdy kid while growing up, has become quite outgoing during his Jackrabbit years. He attributes the change to a close friend he met at ����ֱ��app. While at home, Akujobi spent most of his time on his computer and making projects in a makeshift science lab. He also played the piano, guitar and sang in the Saint Bakhita choir in his hometown.

During his first semester at ����ֱ��app, Akujobi sang in an open mic night organized by the Black Student Alliance, a club for which he later became vice president. He has performed at events like the Hobo Week’s Jacks Got Talent, Africa Night, 2023 BSA Step Show, Brookings’ Juneteenth Festival and the recently held China Night. He also sings in the Newman Center choir during the summer.

He is in a friendly musical contest with a fellow student to see who can become proficient and improvise with the most musical instruments. Right now, he is on his 16th and is working on the xiao, a Chinese flute.

Looking to the future

Akujobi plans to spend the remainder of this semester cleaning up wiring, improving the software, testing and reducing the size of the sensor-based device.

In the fall semester, he will focus on writing papers and doing presentations on the sensor model. He also plans to work on the AI version next semester, which is when Akujobi is expected to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

After graduation, Akujobi plans to work as an AI software engineer and possibly a solutions architect, while also considering a master’s degree at ����ֱ��app. Long term, he aims to launch tech startups focused on turning emerging technologies into consumer products. — a path inspired by his early entrepreneurial experience running a soap-making business after high school.