Posted: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
By: University Communications

Embodying the University of Evansville (UE) mission to think critically and serve responsibly, students are using artificial intelligence, robotics, and data science to improve sidewalk accessibility throughout the Evansville community.

Through Sidewalks4All, an innovative interdisciplinary project, students are developing technology to identify sidewalk conditions and accessibility barriers. They are guided by a dedicated faculty team leading their respective fields: Dr. Maxwell Omwenga and Dr. Ying Ying Seah in Computer Science, Dr. Jesus Osorio in Civil Engineering, and Dr. Hector Will in Electrical Engineering.

Civil engineering student Rory Schmitt and statistical & data sciences student Jake Schwaderer collaborate to assemble "Gizmo," the primary Sidewalks4All data-collection robot.

Jake taking Gizmo for a spin along Walnut Street sidewalks.

(Left-right), Dr. Osorio, Rory, Jake and Dr. Omwenga helping put the final touches on the Gizmo.

The project features "Gizmo," a GPS-equipped sidewalk-scanning robot built entirely by students. It uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to identify features such as curb ramps, crosswalks, obstacles, and surface conditions, aiming to create a comprehensive sidewalk quality map starting in Evansville's Promise Neighborhood.

An AI-powered view of urban accessibility: A computer vision model developed by UE Machine Learning students (CS 480) maps pedestrian infrastructure with upwards of 90% confidence. By automatically identifying curb ramps, crosswalks, obstacles, and surface problems, the student-built model helps flag safe, ADA-compliant pathways across the city.

Fostering an inclusive community, the project also features a mobile Walk Audit application (accessible via s4a.evansville.edu/) that empowers residents to report sidewalk issues like cracks and missing crosswalks. This community-submitted data trains the project's AI models while bringing citizens into the problem-solving process.

Sidewalks4All provides UE students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge tech while addressing a pressing local need, reflecting UE's core value of education for the whole person.

CS 480 Machine Learning students presenting their Sidewalks4All work to Evansville City Engineers, Evansville MPO, Evansville Trails Coalition, and Circular Venture Lab. Their YOLO CV models, NLP analysis of 311 data, and robotics prototype demonstrate real progress toward more ADA compliant sidewalks in Evansville (Photo by: Maxwell Omwenga).

"What makes this project especially exciting is that our students are taking what they learn in the classroom and acting bravely to meet a real need in the community," said Dr. Maxwell Omwenga, assistant professor of computer science. "They are not just learning about AI and robotics. They are using those tools to better understand the challenges people face every day and develop solutions that help them live meaningfully."

The project has benefited from the engagement and feedback of stakeholders including UE, Evansville City Engineer, the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Evansville Trails Coalition, and Circular Venture Lab, whose participation in student and planning meetings provided valuable perspectives throughout the project.