The robotic rescue dog model impressed 18 judges of the prestigious international competition not only with its functionality but also with its humane application in real life.
At the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) held in the US in May 2023, Le Minh Duc, a 12th-grade student specializing in mathematics, and Le Nguyen Trung Kien, a 12th-grade student specializing in computer science, from Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted (Ho Chi Minh City), confidently demonstrated their love for scientific research and passion for innovation. Their model of a four-legged robot to assist in search and rescue operations in landslide-prone areas was one of 12 science and engineering projects that beat out 1,200 other entries to win a special prize in the robotics and computer category.
Minh Duc (right) and Trung Kien (left), with their robot dog with flat feet that won a special award at the Intel ISEF 2023 international science and engineering competition.
I missed out on an ice cream but found a soulmate.
Studying in two different specialized classes, and never having spoken before, these two male students met by chance while going to the cafeteria for ice cream at the beginning of their 11th grade year. At that time, Le Minh Duc, a student from the specialized math class, was passing by the Science Research Club when he saw Le Nguyen Trung Kien, a "warrior" of robot competitions from the specialized computer science class, intensely focused on programming and controlling a robot to perform patient care tasks in a hospital. Seeing that Trung Kien shared the same passion and research goals, Minh Duc "forgot his ice cream" to become... close friends from the research lab, as Duc shared.
From then on, the two male students from two specialized classes at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted practically ate, studied, and researched together. Speaking about the idea that led to the research and creation of the rescue robot dog model, Trung Kien said it stemmed from the landslide at the Rao Trang 3 Hydropower Plant (Thua Thien- Hue ), where mud, soil, and rocks collapsed, paralyzing traffic and hindering rescue efforts, resulting in 30 missing people and shocking the entire country. "We thought about researching and creating a four-legged robot that could move into landslide-prone areas and difficult mountainous terrain that humans could hardly access to provide timely rescue," Kien recounted.
Based on the initial idea, Trung Kien, leveraging his strengths, conducted on-site research into the terrain, geology, and functionalities of the task. Meanwhile, Minh Duc developed the assembly and operational model to create a robotic dog tasked with reconnaissance, equipped with a camera, and carrying supplies. The novelty of this model lies in its flat feet, allowing it to move through mud in landslide-prone environments.
Minh Duc and Trung Kien are becoming the "spiritual leaders" of the Science Research Club at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted.
ROBOT DOG WITH FLAT FEET
To arrive at the model as it is today, these two students said they had to "tear down and rebuild" dozens of times. Studying the strengths and characteristics of movement from land animals to aquatic animals to create the robot dog's paws, Trung Kien, using his English skills, researched many documents around the world to optimize its mobility.
The robotic rescue dog was designed with webbed feet to allow it to swim underwater, while the mesh increased its contact area with mud. However, in muddy and rocky environments, the feet needed to be optimally rigid to ensure mobility. Therefore, Trung Kien and Minh Duc designed and modeled a webbed foot system with a spring suspension based on the scale structure of the Pirarucu fish (scientific name Arapaima Gigas), nicknamed the "bulletproof" fish of the Amazon. "Not only can the robotic dog move without sinking in muddy and soft soil, but it also demonstrated 'bulletproof' capabilities, as we tested it with many sharp objects without any damage," Trung Kien shared.
The robot dog with flat paws is a new feature compared to other robot models participating in the Intel ISEF 2023 competition.
Kien and Duc said that in the future, when they have more access to technology and receive higher-level training, they will develop a new version of the robot with more diverse and richer features.
Le Minh Duc is one of the 14 Outstanding Young Citizens of Ho Chi Minh City in 2023, selected by the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union. Minh Duc not only shines with his outstanding academic achievements and impressive scientific research, but also serves as an inspiring role model for many other young people through his efforts and humble deeds.
Spreading the love and passion for scientific research.
Returning from the competition with a special award for the novelty and humanitarian nature of their research and innovation, the two students from Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted said: "Nothing but passion and a nurturing love for scientific research."
"Stay confident and pursue your passion" is the motto of Trung Kien and Minh Duc.
"Without passion, it's difficult to pursue research, exploration, and creativity long-term. When you don't love something, it feels endless and you don't want to continue. But if you love it, you can pursue it long-term and always find ways to nurture it. Besides that, the environment is also quite important. When you see people around you who also have 'fire,' passion, and a desire to challenge themselves, you follow suit," Kien said about the willpower to nurture passion.
Not only did Duc and Kien nurture their passion for creating robots for everyday life and to assist people, but they also spread their love for scientific research. Now, the two "senior" students, Minh Duc and Trung Kien, are becoming the "spiritual leaders" of the Science Research Club at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted. "When you have a passion, just confidently pursue it and dedicate yourself to what you love. We have the right to make mistakes, to fail, but what's important is what we learn from those mistakes. Just be confident and keep pursuing," Duc shared.
Source link
Comment (0)