Yaakov, a 22-year-old from Jerusalem, enlisted in November 2023 for a specialized officer training program in the Armored Corps. However, about a year ago, during his training, he was injured and faced discharge from the army.
"I fought through medical boards to continue serving," he shared. This determination led him to join a new path as a cadet studying mechanical engineering at Ariel University.
Despite his excitement about this new direction, Yaakov found it difficult to watch his friends fighting while he was safe at university. "They’re risking their lives while I’m protected on campus. I searched for ways I could contribute even now, as a student."
From this aspiration, Yaakov, together with his classmates Leonid Kupriyan and Julia Karol, developed two innovative projects. These projects draw on his personal experience with tanks, his knowledge of safety events involving his friends during the war, and his own challenges following his injury.
"My goal is to save the lives of soldiers, including my friends. I want to create safer tanks and prevent unnecessary deaths," he explained.
The first system the team is working on involves sensors designed to prevent tank crew injuries during turret rotation. "I personally remember the fear of being injured inside the tank during movement. It can be a life-threatening moment, and our development will provide an alert to the soldiers so they can prepare and protect themselves," Yaakov said.
The second system is intended to isolate tank ammunition. Earlier this month, the team had the opportunity to present this project at a hackathon organized by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Ariel University.
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"It’s exciting and gratifying to see the interest from senior academics, including the university’s CEO, in our project," Yaakov said proudly.
"Our developments aren’t just theoretical; they emerged from a real need in the field. I know they can save lives, and I hope we’ll reach the moment when these systems are integrated into IDF tanks, fulfilling their purpose of protecting armored troopers."