Robolife Technologies Wins Top Prize at Telecom and Digital Innovation Fair 2025 for EMG-Controlled Prosthetic Arm

Robolife Technologies has won first place at the Telecom and Digital Innovation Fair 2025 for developing an EMG (Electromyography) signal-controlled prosthetic arm designed to aid people with physical disabilities in mobility. Team leader Lavlu Barua received a prize cheque of BDT 300,000 for the innovation.

Held on Wednesday at the BTRC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, the daylong exhibition concluded with awards for the top five out of 32 selected innovation projects.

edotco Bangladesh secured second and fifth places. Their second-place entry was a “Uber Power Car” that supplies electricity to telecom towers and BTS units during load-shedding. They also showcased an eco-friendly tower built from bamboo and a system to repurpose existing electric poles as telecom towers.

Grameenphone’s GP Accelerator came in third, offering a platform that provides startups with resources, training, and connections to investors. eBitans placed fourth for enabling micro and small entrepreneurs to set up e-commerce websites in just a few clicks.

At the award ceremony, ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury presented the cheques to the winners. Posts and Telecommunications Secretary (in routine charge) Zahirul Islam, BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdadul Bari and BTRC Commissioner Mahmud Hossain were also present.

The program began with a one-minute silence in memory of those killed and injured in the recent aircraft crash at Uttara's Milestone School and College.

In his speech, ICT Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury emphasized the importance of commercializing innovations that address real-life problems. “If ideas based on people’s daily struggles are turned into real solutions, they can contribute significantly to the nation,” he said. He also stated that three ICT-affiliated institutions are working to ensure that government allocations for innovation are effectively utilized.

Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Zahirul Islam expressed gratitude to the participants and said, “The future society will be knowledge-based. Harnessing innovation and creative ideas will reduce poverty and unemployment while accelerating digital transformation.”

BTRC Chairman Emdadul Bari highlighted that telecom development in the past two and a half decades focused mainly on connectivity. “Now, in a data-centric era, innovation must focus not just on high-end technology, but on its applicability for the greater good.”

Commissioner Mahmud Hossain noted that 32 ideas were shortlisted from 76 submissions across various institutions and universities. “BTRC is establishing an Innovation Lab to support new entrepreneurs,” he announced, adding that regulatory support will also be extended to promising innovators.

Also present was BTRC Vice-Chairman Md. Abu Bakar Siddique and other senior officials, representatives from participating tech organizations, and innovators from across the country.

Prize Summary:

• 1st Prize: BDT 300,000 — Robolife Technologies

• 2nd Prize: BDT 150,000 — edotco Bangladesh (Uber Power Car)

• 3rd Prize: BDT 100,000 — GP Accelerator (Grameenphone)

• 4th Prize: BDT 75,000 — eBitans

• 5th Prize: BDT 50,000 — edotco Bangladesh (Eco Tower Idea)