At the 37th Korea Student Invention Exhibition held from August 8th to 10th students showcased their creative and practical inventions. The invention that won this years Presidential Award was the “Manhole Cover Displacement Prevention System Using Water Pressure” designed to effectively prevent manhole cover accidents during heavy rains. This invention features an L-shaped metal plate installed beneath the manhole cover which remains open for easy access by workers under normal conditions. However when water pressure rises the system automatically activates to prevent the cover from dislodging. This invention was praised for its ease of installation eliminating the need for additional work and reducing maintenance costs making it both practical and economical.

The “Portable Guide Device for Handrails for the Visually Impaired” which won the Minister of Education Award is an invention designed to assist visually impaired individuals in navigating public spaces and facilities more conveniently. The device can be easily attached to or removed from handrails and provides voice guidance via NFC technology helping users accurately understand their surroundings. This invention is expected to significantly enhance the mobility and safety of visually impaired individuals and has high potential for use in public facilities.

Another notable invention which won the Minister of Trade Industry and Energy Award is the “Hand Safety Cutter Knife.” This tool is designed to prevent hand injuries during use by adding a safety feature to the knifes body. The auxiliary device ensures that the safety mechanism touches the hand before the blade can cause injury providing an effective solution to prevent accidents. This invention is a practical product that improves user safety without significantly increasing costs by simply adding a small auxiliary device to the existing cutter knife design.

This exhibition demonstrated the potential of students to creatively solve everyday problems. The displayed inventions which combined practicality with economic efficiency drew significant attention from attendees. In particular ideas that enhanced safety and convenience were of great interest. The exhibition highlighted the possibility that these student inventions could be applied in real life and it is expected that such innovations will continue to have a positive impact on society in the future.