In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where smart solutions are crucial for addressing real-world challenges, a group of students from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has developed a groundbreaking innovation. Their creation is not only timely but also holds strong potential to transform Malaysia’s industrial landscape.
The innovation, named Sentinel, is an Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring system that integrates both software and hardware components. Currently, Dispar Technologies, a student startup is already drawing interest from industry players to deploy the solution for real time worker monitoring at construction sites by embedding it directly into safety helmets.
The project is the brainchild of three UTM alumni and co-founders of Dispar Technologies: Sri Prasaad Srighanesan, who serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and principal founder; Shanmugapriyan S. Vellasamy as Chief Technology Officer (CTO); and Satheesh Rameswaran as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).
Their entrepreneurial journey began four years ago during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While residing in Kuala Lumpur, the trio ventured into 3D printing technologies for custom merchandising, collaborating with cosmetic brands and Indian community influencers. However, they soon realised that a service-only business model was not sustainable in the long term.
“We started with 3D printing back in 2020,” Prasaad shared. “But after a while, we saw the limitations. We needed to build a real product that addresses real problems, and that’s how Sentinel was born.”
A helmet that thinks
Unlike conventional tracking devices that rely on wearables such as smart tags or wristbands tools that are easily misplaced or damaged, Sentinel offers a streamlined alternative. It eliminates these limitations by embedding the monitoring system directly into a safety helmet, a standard item already worn by every construction worker.
Sentinel seamlessly integrates into standard safety helmets used by construction workers
According to Prasaad, Sentinel incorporates a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) chip into the helmet. At the same time, RFID readers are installed at entry and exit points on each floor of a construction site. With a detection radius of five to eight meters, the system can automatically log worker movement. Data is transmitted instantly to a cloud-based dashboard, allowing site managers to monitor operations in real-time via a web platform or mobile app.
Sentinel’s RFID-integrated hardware unit installed for real-time entrance and exit tracking
“We didn’t want workers carrying extra devices. We used what they already wear—helmets,” Prasaad explained.
The innovation offers direct solutions to persistent challenges in construction, including subcontractor management, tracking foreign labour, ensuring site safety compliance, and improving oversight efficiency.
Tackling the challenges of on-site audits
One of the most pressing issues in the industry is the manual auditing of worker attendance, which is still commonly conducted using paper forms or digital spreadsheets. These methods are often impractical in outdoor environments under harsh weather conditions.
Sentinel is built for durability and designed to function under such demanding circumstances. It features a backup power system to withstand outages and comes equipped with automated alerts to notify users of system disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted and transparent monitoring.
Development and pilot testing
Sentinel is currently undergoing pilot testing with a construction firm in Skudai, Johor, for a period of two to three months. Johor was chosen due to its rapid infrastructure growth and concentration of large-scale development projects.
“We’re offering this pilot phase free of charge as a collaborative effort with the industry. It allows us to identify bugs and optimize the system before an official launch,” said Prasaad.
Prasaad is coding the cloud-based software for Sentinel’s real-time dashboard
The pilot involves several RFID-enabled helmets, with plans to expand to high-rise building sites. The system also delivers emergency alerts in the event of unusual activity, and future enhancements may include AI-powered visual detection for advanced safety monitoring.
UTM’s ecosystem is behind the success
Dispar Technologies’ progress would not have been possible without strong institutional support. While juggling part-time studies, full-time work, and a growing startup, Prasaad acknowledged the crucial backing of UTM’s entrepreneurial ecosystem—including UTM Center for Student Innovation & Technology Entrepreneurship (UTM XCITE), the Innovation and Commercialisation Centre (ICC) Incubator, and external agencies like Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) provided upskilling program called K-Youth to enhance their competency and awarded them a product development grant this year February, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA)—along with continuous mentorship from their advisor, Dr. Mohd. Adib Sarijari.
Prasaad during a photo session with the mock cheque awarded by UTM-MTDC in recognition of one of their innovation initiatives
“My mentor always says: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Entrepreneurship isn’t about who’s the fastest—it’s about who stays the course,” Prasaad reflected.
During the interview, Prasaad acknowledges the role of institutional support in elevating student-led innovations
A message to future student entrepreneurs
To aspiring student entrepreneurs, especially in the tech domain, Prasaad offered this advice,
“Don’t rush into building a product. First, identify a real problem, then create the right solution. Failure isn’t the end—it’s how you bounce back that defines you.”
With a clear vision and resilient drive, Sentinel represents a promising homegrown innovation that has the potential to redefine worker monitoring in Malaysia’s construction sector. It also reflects how UTM students are not just learners, but solution-driven innovators making tangible impacts on the nation’s future.
