5th grader creates AI application to detect drowsy drivers

Three fifth-grade students from Tran Hung Dao Primary School (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) have just won first prize in the national Condeavour 6.0 competition with an AI application that detects drivers falling asleep while driving.

From left to right: Minh Khoi, Gia Huy, Quoc Tien and the national first prize winner of the Codeavour 6.0 International Competition - Photo: provided by the school.

Not only did these three students present entirely in English at the competition, but they also possessed quite unique thinking and learning methods.

The idea came from the third time I took him out for a ride.

A reporter from Tuoi Tre newspaper interviewed Huynh Gia Huy (a student in class 5T2), Ngo Hiep Minh Khoi, and Nguyen Quoc Tien (class 5/6) from Tran Hung Dao Primary School.

Tien said: "My team participated in the Condeavour 6.0 competition with the Driver Safety AI project. This topic originated from a real life event where my dad was driving the whole family out but got sleepy and almost hit someone else.

But Khoi and Huy didn’t just agree with the idea. We had a whole afternoon of heated debate in the school’s STEM room before finally agreeing on Driver Safety AI.

This is an AI application that detects driver drowsiness through a facial recognition camera system, analyzing signs such as closed eyes, yawning, nodding off, etc. When a risk of distraction is detected, the system will issue warnings via LED lights, sound, or interactive questions to help drivers stay alert, contributing to traffic safety."

So your dad must be really good at coding, right?

- Gia Huy: I learned programming since kindergarten. Tien learned programming since kindergarten. Writing code (using programming languages ​​to create encrypted strings - PV) for my group was not difficult, the hardest part was making the model, having to fix it over and over again but the instructor still criticized it as... messy.

- Quoc Tien: In the group, only Khoi hasn't learned programming yet, Huy and I have to teach him again. But the reality is that Khoi's brain is... more sensitive than a machine's, he learns very quickly.

* I assume all three of you enjoy computer science?

- Minh Khoi: My group all likes math and computer science. I also like history. Huy likes English as well.

- Quoc Tien: I also like natural sciences . Currently, in addition to studying in class, my father also teaches me physics, chemistry, and biology. These subjects are a bit difficult but very interesting to learn.

* Math is such a dry subject, how do you three like it?

- Minh Khoi: For me, solving math problems is a way to relieve stress. I especially enjoy it when my dad takes me for a drive around the city, and we talk about math together. My dad used to be a math major, so he knows a lot of interesting math problems. Every time we go for a drive, he brings them out and challenges me to solve them, which is a lot of fun.

- Gia Huy: I like studying math because my parents and teachers don't force me to. That means there's no pressure, no need to cram this lesson or solve that problem. I just study happily.

- Quoc Tien: Knowledge is like an ant that never sleeps. For math, just solve lots of problems, study and do exercises in a fun way, and the knowledge will naturally flow into your head without you even realizing it. Trying to memorize formulas is incredibly boring. If you force me to study like that, the ant inside me will go to sleep.

Besides studying, I also love to play.

* So are your three friends good at all subjects?

- Gia Huy: No, teacher. What I'm most afraid of is writing. It's not only bad, but my handwriting is also horribly ugly (laughs).

- Quoc Tien: Usually when I study, the ants in my head won't sleep, but when it comes to writing, the ants get sleepy and want to go to sleep. My friends say I'm very good at talking, but when it comes to writing, all my gold, silver, and jewels go away.

- Minh Khoi: I know I need to improve my writing skills in literature, so I'm making an effort to read more books to enhance my writing abilities.

* I heard that your father is an outstanding student in class?

- Minh Khoi: Yes, you could say that! Because my name is on the list of outstanding students in the class.

- Gia Huy: Yes, I am considered to be at the top of my class.

- Quoc Tien: I think being exceptionally talented only means excelling in one particular field. There are always higher mountains to climb...

* So you must study a lot?

- Minh Khoi: I don't think I study much. Outside of school, I also entertain myself, play table tennis, watch history clips, read books...

- Gia Huy: Outside of school hours, I still have time to play basketball, study English in the KET program, and am trying to overcome my weakness in literature...

- Quoc Tien: I'm like the two of you, sometimes I play games, self-study subjects I like like math, programming, English... but I don't like literature so I haven't self-studied yet.

* Returning to the Condeavour 6.0 competition, what did you learn from the competition, besides the prize?

- Minh Khoi: It requires social understanding, not just burying your face in a computer to write code. For example, when choosing a topic for the competition, our group researched Government Decree 168, and the media also mentioned that this decree has helped reduce traffic accidents.

- Quoc Tien: Through the contest, I realized that English is a popular language. Nowadays, students must be good at English. Not knowing English means "disappearing".

Second, you need to have a certain amount of confidence. Actually, other teams are also very good, but maybe they are not confident. Even some students at international schools speak English better than our team.

Third, you need to have the ability to debate and respond well to situations. Our group was able to solve all the questions from the judges.

To acquire this skill, I have to thank my parents and teachers for giving me the opportunity to practice. For example, just recently, my mother told me to drop all the physics, chemistry, and biology subjects, saying there's no point in studying them at such a young age. She suggested I spend my time studying music instead. I immediately argued against it. The first time, she wasn't convinced, so I continued to find arguments and evidence to support my second and third arguments. Finally, she agreed to let me continue studying physics, chemistry, and biology.

- Gia Huy: The competition took place at an international school. After the competition, I went to visit the school. And I realized that international schools have many good things, but studying at a public school also has certain advantages.

Preparing to take the exam in Qatar

Codeavour 6.0 International Competition is an innovation competition for students, organized by STEMpedia Education Organization (USA), AI & Robotics Technology Center IHub @ IISc under the Ministry of Science and Technology of India, and Worlddidac International Education Association.

The national round in Vietnam was organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Information Technology Association and KDI Education. The group of students from Tran Hung Dao School won the national first prize and is preparing to participate in the Codeavour 6.0 international competition in Qatar in May 2025.

Ms. Le Thanh Huong (Principal of Tran Hung Dao Primary School):

They have in common a passion for technology.

All three students are bold, confident, energetic, enthusiastic, and especially they are always proactive in seeking and learning new knowledge. In terms of learning and thinking ability, all three students are intelligent, have good creative thinking, and are able to apply knowledge to solve practical problems. After many exchanges, I found that they have many good and unique ideas.

The highlight of this group of students is their excellent teamwork skills. They have quick reflexes and communicate confidently and effectively in English. What they have in common is their passion for technology, especially artificial intelligence.

* Can you three reveal a little bit about your dreams?

From left to right: Minh Khoi, Quoc Tien, Gia Huy - Photo: Hoang Huong

Minh Khoi: My dream is to study at university, graduate school, and pursue doctoral studies in the US. After that, I'll return to Vietnam and start a company that manufactures circuit boards, chips, etc.

Quoc Tien: My dream is to become a technology engineer or an astronaut or an inventor. How can I explore the solar system, maybe go to Venus to find an ore that can help humans resist the heat of the Sun...

Gia Huy: My dream is to work at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in the future. I will strive to learn the best and most advanced things there so that after working at NASA for a while, I can bring the experience I've gained back to Vietnam and contribute to the development of my country.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoc-sinh-lop-5-lam-ung-dung-ai-phat-hien-tai-xe-buon-ngu-20250418090412774.htm