Kyambogo College students make robot

Sep 02, 2008

<br>KYAMBOGO College Science Club students have invented a robot, meant to ease agricultural research. The multi-functional robot came as a result of different schools that came up with different projects that perform only one task. This was at the national school science exhibition in 2007.

By Caroline Batenga

KYAMBOGO College Science Club students have invented a robot, meant to ease agricultural research. The multi-functional robot came as a result of different schools that came up with different projects that perform only one task. This was at the national school science exhibition in 2007.

The robot, which is remote-controlled, shows results through a red light that buzzes when results are achieved.

Aiden Kitayimbwa, the president of the science club said the robot detects the amount of water in soil. This is meant to guide farmers on the type of crop to grow in their areas. The robot detects different samples of soil and can indicate the dry and wet area, according to the amount of water detected in the soil.

It also picks up magnetic materials such as iron, and also shows the activities that take place in such areas — for instance if iron is the main activity in a particular area, then any certain crops may never be planted in that area.

Their robot shows the length of the day, through the light dependant resister. It helps identify the long day plants like tobacco, cucumber, tea which require more light and short day plants like tomatoes, cassava, sugarcane which requires more darkness.

The robot tests for the amount of oxygen and water, as well as intensity of rust. It can trap insects; it also shows the season being experienced in an area, depending on the insects trapped, for example grasshoppers. It can also trap mosquitoes if put in a room.

The robot is good for farmers, who can tell the right season to grow crops.
Deputy Dean Faculty of Technology for Makerere University Mackay Okure said that the research tool is important for it helps farmers make decisions easily especially when measuring the moisture content that is used to control the irrigation system.

Okure also added the tool is a good instrument for it can provide vital information; hence farmers through the research tool can acquire different information that eases their work.

The robot was made out of radio cassettes, computer scrap and spare parts from toy cars, spray empties, computer cables, motor from audio cameras and other materials.

“This robot has improved our grades in class because such projects are more practical,” Kitayimbwa said.

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