Six KwaZulu-Natal students have invented a wearable device to help curb the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace.
The students, who are studying towards an information and communications technology (ICT) qualification at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), are called DUT Ninjas after building a prototype with ultrasonic sensors that measure the distance between two objects. If a person is less than one metre away from another, the device beeps.
It will also have a unique number, assigned to the employee wearing it and will record every other device it connects to. This will ensure efficient contact tracing.
The DUT Ninjas are Andile Chonco, Mpendulo Xulu, Nkosinathi Mkhonto, Mbali Nongalo, Sanele Doyisa and Fanie Ndlovu.
This device was built in less than 12 hours at a recent Makerthon held at the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone Techno Hub.
The Makerthon, an innovation challenge, provided innovators, marketers and developers with an opportunity to identify open source, low-tech and inexpensive hardware to produce up-to-date technologies. It was organised by the department of communications and digital technologies, AlgoAtWork Robotics and the National ICT Youth Council.
The DUT Ninjas demonstrated their product to government representatives and judges.
Group leader Ndlovu said they wanted to solve Covid-19 problems in the workplace, especially that of its distancing. “The device will also be equipped with a pulse and temperature sensor, which will check an employee’s heart rate and temperature in real time. It will also be used beyond Covid-19, to monitor other diseases.”
Ndlovu said the team won because of its ability to identify a problem, present it clearly and design a demo in less than 12 hours.
Team member Chonco said they knew nothing about electronic components and the Makerthon gave them an opportunity to learn.
Xulu, added that they enjoyed the experience and competed against the best.
“Our leader advised us to enjoy ourselves. Being champions was a surprise,” Xulu said.
Female member Nongalo said: “The competition was challenging. We had to identify problems faced by Richards Bay industries and try to fix them using robotics. I am not used to this, as I am an ICT student who solves problems using web applications.”
• This article first appeared in GCIS's Vuku'zenzele
Students invent a wearable device to help curb spread of Covid-19
DUT Ninjas build prototype with sensors that measure distance between two people
Image: Vukuzenzele
Six KwaZulu-Natal students have invented a wearable device to help curb the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace.
The students, who are studying towards an information and communications technology (ICT) qualification at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), are called DUT Ninjas after building a prototype with ultrasonic sensors that measure the distance between two objects. If a person is less than one metre away from another, the device beeps.
It will also have a unique number, assigned to the employee wearing it and will record every other device it connects to. This will ensure efficient contact tracing.
The DUT Ninjas are Andile Chonco, Mpendulo Xulu, Nkosinathi Mkhonto, Mbali Nongalo, Sanele Doyisa and Fanie Ndlovu.
This device was built in less than 12 hours at a recent Makerthon held at the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone Techno Hub.
The Makerthon, an innovation challenge, provided innovators, marketers and developers with an opportunity to identify open source, low-tech and inexpensive hardware to produce up-to-date technologies. It was organised by the department of communications and digital technologies, AlgoAtWork Robotics and the National ICT Youth Council.
The DUT Ninjas demonstrated their product to government representatives and judges.
Group leader Ndlovu said they wanted to solve Covid-19 problems in the workplace, especially that of its distancing. “The device will also be equipped with a pulse and temperature sensor, which will check an employee’s heart rate and temperature in real time. It will also be used beyond Covid-19, to monitor other diseases.”
Ndlovu said the team won because of its ability to identify a problem, present it clearly and design a demo in less than 12 hours.
Team member Chonco said they knew nothing about electronic components and the Makerthon gave them an opportunity to learn.
Xulu, added that they enjoyed the experience and competed against the best.
“Our leader advised us to enjoy ourselves. Being champions was a surprise,” Xulu said.
Female member Nongalo said: “The competition was challenging. We had to identify problems faced by Richards Bay industries and try to fix them using robotics. I am not used to this, as I am an ICT student who solves problems using web applications.”
• This article first appeared in GCIS's Vuku'zenzele
Young creative finds a way to shrug off Covid-19 limits for her business
Doing his bit to help people with disabilities fight Covid
Biometric machine designed to certify documents
Young female doctor making a difference in the public health
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Related articles
Latest Videos