A team of five students, Hoang Quoc Truong, Phan Quoc Chien, Nguyen Nam Thanh, Chu Dac Vinh Quang, and Bui Thi Khanh Linh, has developed an innovative rehabilitation system called ReTrack. The students, primarily from the School of Mechanical Engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, with Linh studying Business Analytics at National Economics University, secured the top award at the "Young Innovators" 2025 competition. Organized by Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the competition attracted over 100 projects from students across 35 universities, with the first prize valued at 50 million VND.
"The entire team was deeply moved; some of us even cried", team leader Quoc Truong said after the awards ceremony on the evening of 25/12. "This achievement is the result of half a year of hard work, including many sleepless nights".
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The team behind the ReTrack system receives the first prize at the Young Innovators competition, evening of 25/12. Photo: Ngoc Trang
The team's focus on ReTrack aligns with their primary research direction at Komlab, a laboratory within Hanoi University of Science and Technology's School of Mechanical Engineering, which specializes in biomedical devices.
The development of ReTrack addresses a pressing need in Vietnam, where approximately 200,000 stroke cases occur annually, according to the Ministry of Health. Among these, about 80% suffer motor sequelae, particularly lower limb paralysis, necessitating long-term rehabilitation. This process currently faces three major issues: subjective assessment of recovery, leading to hospital system overload, and a lack of specialized personnel.
ReTrack acts as a virtual assistant for lower limb recovery in stroke patients. The system utilizes a smart sensor network directly attached to the patient's body. IMU and EMG sensors precisely measure joint angles and muscle activation levels, providing indicators that are difficult for the naked eye or cameras to detect. Additionally, a PPG sensor continuously monitors heart rate, offering alerts for abnormal signs during exercise.
The collected data is transmitted to a central processing unit, supported by AI. An algorithm analyzes the quality of rehabilitation exercises, assisting in scoring motor function according to the international Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) standard. The data can be centrally stored on the hospital's cloud, linked to patient codes, and is designed for future integration with electronic health record systems. Key indicators, exercise instructions, and rehabilitation profiles are also accessible via web and mobile applications for convenient use.
The ReTrack system empowers doctors with daily insights into patient progress. Patients can perform rehabilitation exercises at home, track their recovery, and reduce unnecessary follow-up appointments. The team confirmed ReTrack's ability to measure indicators at the Motion Lab of Vinmec Hospital and conducted real-world patient trials at Hai Duong Rehabilitation Hospital. "We are very pleased that after multiple adjustments, the results show a minimal error", Truong stated.
The team estimates one ReTrack unit to cost around 100 million VND, considering it much more affordable than some existing rehabilitation support systems on the market. Their target customers include hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and physical therapy clinics.
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The student team demonstrates the ReTrack system at the Young Innovators final. Photo: Ngoc Trang
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The student team demonstrates the ReTrack system at the Young Innovators final. Photo: Ngoc Trang
Reflecting on the past half-year, Truong recalled moments of tension as reporting deadlines approached and system errors arose. "There were times we debated intensely, but then we would motivate each other to keep working", Truong recounted. He expressed gratitude for being a member of Komlab, led by Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Thanh Trung, who provided guidance and facilitated connections with hospitals and rehabilitation centers, ensuring smooth testing.
Associate Professor, Doctor Huynh Dang Chinh, Vice President of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, noted that the conclusion of the Young Innovators competition marks the beginning of an entrepreneurial journey for the students. "Hanoi University of Science and Technology not only awards prizes but also accompanies the winning teams to help them move forward", he said. Last year, two companies were founded by outstanding teams from the competition. He hopes the ReTrack team and the five other finalists will achieve similar success this year.
Truong shares this aspiration. The team plans to refine their product and prepare for participation in other competitions, including SV. Startup organized by the Ministry of Education and Training.
Duong Tam
