DU Students Develop 'SUGAM', an Inclusive Indoor Navigation System for Persons with Disabilities

Key Highlights

• Students of Delhi University's Maitreyi College have developed SUGAM, an indoor navigation system for persons with disabilities.
• The platform offers voice guidance, visual notifications, vibration alerts and multilingual support to improve accessibility.
• SUGAM also features an integrated digital pass system for campus entry and events.
• An audio signage feature enables navigation even for users without smartphones.
• The developers believe the system can be adopted in hospitals, educational institutions and commercial buildings beyond college campuses.

Maitreyi College Students Create Inclusive Navigation Platform

Students of Delhi University's Maitreyi College have developed SUGAM (Smart, Universal, Guided, Accessible Mobility), an indoor navigation system aimed at making campuses and public buildings more accessible for persons with disabilities.

According to the college, SUGAM is India's first student-led inclusive indoor navigation system, developed under faculty guidance through a multidisciplinary collaboration.

The initiative seeks to help users navigate complex indoor spaces independently while promoting accessibility and inclusion.

How SUGAM Works

Unlike conventional navigation systems, SUGAM has been designed to address the needs of users with different types of disabilities.

For People with Visual Impairments

The platform provides:

• Voice-guided indoor navigation.
• Audio directions for locating classrooms, offices and event venues.
• Audio signage to assist users throughout buildings.

For People with Mobility Challenges

SUGAM offers:

• Step-by-step navigation.
• Simplified routes to indoor destinations.
• Guidance designed to make movement easier within campuses.

For People with Hearing Impairments

The system includes:

• Visual notifications.
• Vibration-based alerts.
• Non-audio communication features for navigation assistance.

Multilingual Support for Greater Accessibility

One of SUGAM's notable features is its support for multiple Indian languages.

This enables users from different linguistic backgrounds to access navigation instructions in a language they are comfortable with, making the platform more inclusive.

Audio Signage Helps Users Without Smartphones

The developers have also introduced an audio signage system, allowing people to navigate buildings even without relying on smartphones or advanced digital skills.

According to the project team, this feature is intended to improve accessibility for users who may not be comfortable using mobile applications or digital interfaces.

Integrated Digital Pass System

Beyond navigation, SUGAM includes a digital pass system that can be used for:

• Campus entry.
• College events.
• Academic programmes.
• Institutional access management.

The integration aims to simplify movement and participation within educational institutions.

Developed Through a Multidisciplinary Collaboration

The project was created by students and faculty from the following departments:

• Computer Science
• Physics
• Sociology

The college also acknowledged contributions from:

• CURE India
• Dr. Prajwalit Shika
• Ameya Meattle, a high school student from Singapore, for the development of the audio signage feature.

Launch Event

SUGAM was launched in the presence of several distinguished guests, including:

• Dr. Mathew Varghese, who conceptualised the project.
• Prof. Haritima Chopra, Principal of Maitreyi College.
• Prof. Smriti Singh, Project Lead.
• Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog.
• The Registrar of the University of Delhi.

During the launch, speakers highlighted the potential for the technology to be adopted beyond educational institutions.

Potential Applications Beyond Campuses

The developers believe SUGAM could eventually be implemented in a variety of public spaces, including:

• Hospitals.
• Universities and colleges.
• Schools.
• Government offices.
• Shopping malls.
• Commercial complexes.
• Public institutions.

If adopted more widely, the platform could improve accessibility and independent mobility for persons with disabilities across multiple sectors.

Why This Matters

Accessible infrastructure remains a key challenge for persons with disabilities in India. Innovations such as SUGAM demonstrate how student-led technology can contribute to creating more inclusive educational and public spaces.

By combining voice guidance, visual alerts, multilingual support and offline-friendly audio signage, the platform highlights the growing role of assistive technology in improving everyday accessibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is SUGAM?

SUGAM (Smart, Universal, Guided, Accessible Mobility) is an indoor navigation system developed by students of Delhi University's Maitreyi College to assist persons with disabilities.

Who developed SUGAM?

The project was developed by students and faculty from the Computer Science, Physics and Sociology departments of Maitreyi College under faculty guidance.

What accessibility features does SUGAM offer?

It includes:

• Voice-guided navigation.
• Visual notifications.
• Vibration alerts.
• Audio signage.
• Multilingual support.
• Digital campus pass integration.

Can SUGAM be used outside colleges?

Yes. The developers believe it has potential applications in hospitals, commercial complexes, educational institutions and other public buildings.

What makes SUGAM unique?

According to Maitreyi College, it is India's first student-led inclusive indoor navigation system designed to support users with different accessibility needs.