Students invent robot to assist frontline workers fight COVID-19
Students invent robot to assist frontline workers
In a bid to enhance the operations of frontline medical personnel who are most vulnerable to coronavirus, the students of Glisten International Academy, Jahi Abuja have invented a robot named “Mairabot”.
The school’s robotics team reffered to as Glisten makerspace education came up with the innovation in response to the increasing numbers of Covid-19infection cases, and how it affects especially the frontline health workers.
Marabot which is a collaborative effort of the Glisten makerspace education team was created virtually with the help of coaches and brilliant design ideas uploaded by students on robotics learning Management System platforms.
The coaches who are Adeniyi Ogedengbe, Pius Emeka, Mayowa Taiwo and Engr. Abba Saidu, the school’s executive director, supported the students to innovate Mairabot as a contribution to the global fight against the pandemic.
In an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nabila Abbas, a student of the school talked about the general features of the robot.
She said It takes and records temperature readings, and carry up to 5kg drugs for distribution to patients in isolation wards.
She added that Mairabot which is remotely controlled had the capability to navigate in between beds in an isolation ward.
Another student of the school Yasmin Ali elaborated on the artificial intelligence features of the robot.
She said the robot comprises six artificial intelligence features that aids movement, memorization, interaction, navigation, capturing and courier. ” It supports saving recorded video sessions, life video interaction between doctors and patients in their isolation. ” It is a prototype invention and it is self disinfecting, ” she said.
Ali disclosed that Mairabot behavior is customized using Google Blocks programming software and it can be remotely controlled from a distance of 120 feet using an android based application.
She noted that the innovation, Mairabot would aid the federal government in its fight against virus and also the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) in achieving ‘’Good health and well-being’’.
Another robotics team member and student of thr school, Hamza Bappa explained the decision behind the choice of Mairabot’s physical outlook.
He disclosed that the robot was made from Eco friendly household waste materials.
Bappa said an outward Nigerian cultural outlook was adopted for the robot to reflect a rich cultural heritage.
The Students had also constructed several pieces of the face shields in other to ensure that the safety measures against Covid-19 are achieved, called on the government for support.
They called on the government, relevant agencies and private institutions to support their so that the robot can be improved upon to a standardized and globally accepted level.
They said with the required support, Mairabot can be used in hospitals, supermarkets, airports post Covid-19 and it would aldo address the imminent and avoidable risk posed on healthworkers during this pandemic.