By Niharika Nembang, Subekshya Karki, Sachin Bijukchhe, Dibya Rokka (United Academy Students)In order to celebrate our 25th Year Anniversary, United Academy designed an exceptional platform for its students - United Robotics Fest 1.0.United Robotics Fest 1.0 is a flagship event of United Academy that is being organized for the first time in association with the Robotics Association of Nepal (RAN). It intends to inculcate a scientific temperament in students by providing them with a platform to innovate. It is an amalgamation of several integral components - Workshop, Project Development, Science Exhibition, Robotics Competition, and Panel Discussion.After going through a rigorous Workshop of 16 hours and a week-long Project Development Phase, 17 teams from United Academy displayed their innovative ideas during a 2 Day Science Exhibition organized at the college premises itself.At the Science Exhibition, a voting ballot was placed where the attendees could give their votes, the top 3 Robotic Projects were the Smart Dustin, Rain Alarm System, and Soil Moisture Monitoring System.

Winners' Thought

Let's hear about the experiences of these winners. United Academy students "Subekshya Karki," "Subanshana Bam," and "Fortune Parajuli," share their thoughts, insights, and feelings below.“Although we had a lot of interest in Robotics, we were not able to find any platform to learn until we heard about United Robotics Fest 1.0. The mentors explained how Robotics would help us in our careers so we made a team of three and got started. The workshop was very helpful for all of us. The mentors helped us a lot in learning how to connect wires using Arduino and coding.It was through this experience that we learned how to communicate with others as well. We believe that the opportunity to demonstrate our projects at the Science Exhibition helped us to improve our communication skills.” - Niharika Nembang“At the exhibition, people came to our stall with a lot of curiosity - nervousness grew inside all our members and initially we hesitated while explaining our project even though we had practiced a lot. After some rounds of practice, we were able to handle the questions of the visitors at our stall. We learned a lot of skills and knowledge. The main point was that it was very helpful for all of us getting to know more about robotics and that we built our communication skills with many unknown people.” - Subekshya Karki“First of all, we would like to thank the United Academy and Robotic Association Nepal (RAN) team for giving us a great opportunity for showcasing our talent. We did not have any knowledge about robotics at first but when the workshop started we got to know new things and we met new friends. We had really helpful and friendly mentors. They were really helpful throughout the time of the workshop. We spent 6 hours on the first day.” - Sachin Bijukchhe

Projects on United Robotics Fest 1.0

Let's have a look at some of the projects developed by the students at the Science Exhibition:

Automatic Hand Sanitiser Dispenser

When hands are positioned in the proximity of the sensor, the infrared energy fluctuates and triggers the pump to activate and discharge the specified amount of sanitizer.

• Team Members: Hoshiki Shrestha, Rehan Shakya, Alin Duwal, Udip Maharjan, Nashiv Singh
• Working Mechanisms: The infrared energy fluctuates when hands are placed close to the sensor, which causes the pump to engage and release the designated amount of sanitizer.
• Uses: To limit the use of hand sanitizer and prevent the spread of infectious diseases, it is frequently used in public spaces.

Security Alert System “A laser game”

“Security Alert System” is used widely in the workplace and different organizations today. Our students however as part of project development have demonstrated how the security alert system has worked through the laser game.

• Team Members: Saurav Rai, Biraj Maharjan, Maitreya Manandhar, Projwal Ramtel
• Working Mechanisms: A CDR security alarm system is displayed, and anyone attempting to grab the "prize" will simply set off the alarm. A marble will act as the "football" in the game, and the viewer must use a rod to propel the marble into the goal, setting off the laser alert.
• Uses: In real life, it may be used to be protected from thieves and bulgar activities.

Weather reporting system

“Weather reporting system” and that too a correct weather reporting system can be very useful for the entire mankind, especially for the farmers. Our students have tried to develop something like that, which closely reports the weather.

• Team Members: Aayusha Rijal, Berika Khawas, Sakhi Pokhrel, Binisha thing, Nabashree Bista
• Working Mechanisms: It works on a high-accuracy sensor for the measurement of radiation, wind speed, wind direction, humidity, module temperature, etc.
• Uses: The sensors assist farmers in making wiser choices regarding pesticides, irrigation, and disease prevention.

Home automation using IoT

Technology has taken over all the places and it has automated every sector, including our homes. Our students here have tried to showcase a small automation system in the home on the prototype, with the help of IoT.

• Working Mechanisms: When the relay receives current, the lights turn on and the door opens and closes by turning the phone on or off, whereas two main programs operate: Automatic door closing and opening, Auto-turning on bulbs
• Team Members: Diya Shakya, Gyalmu Sherpa, Shreya Shrestha, Bandana Rai, Rijan, Biraj
• Uses: This technology can be employed in contemporary structures to improve living conditions.

Automatic Street Light

Automatic Street Light is not often seen in our daily life but rather we see the one which is to be operated manually. If we can automate all of the streetlights it would be a great relief for many people. Students with automatic street lights have tried to do something similar, where with the help of censors, at night time the street lights automatically light up, and with the rays of sun upon it, the street light turns off.

• Working Mechanisms: Works with the help of a censor, which automatically detects the rays of light.
• Team Members: Shubhash Singh Thapam, Rohit Ghimire, Tosin Lamichhane, Raju Mahato, Gaurav Rajaure, Prajit Luitel, Aaditya Singh
• Uses: Can be used on the street lights themselves, which saves time, effort, and energy.

Fingerprint door lock system

Fingerprint door lock systems can be widely seen in the market today, where every organization and workplace today uses this type of technology. However developing these types of systems are very complex to be made and also takes a significant amount of time to be developed, and our students have made a “Fingerprint door lock system” with a lot of effort and invested a lot of time.

• Team Members: Pratik Karki, Spandana Rai, Ridam Rai, Prapti Guragain, Prashant Ojha, Nalisha Shakya
• Working Mechanisms: The main part of the system is the Arduino UNO which controls the servo motor movements, whereas before the programming was done, the door would automatically open when you pressed the fingerprint sensor. Therefore, if someone's fingerprint cannot be read by the sensor, the door will not open.
• Uses: Helps to be protected from thief and bulgar activities.

Automatic Solar Tracking System

A lot of us use solar systems in our daily life, such as solar heating systems and solar lighting. But most of us have solar systems in our homes/offices which are permanently placed in one place and they tend to not move in accordance with the sunlight. So, our students here, with their project have come up with a solution for that problem,As they’ve developed an “Automatic Solar Tracking System”, which allows the solar panel to move along with the Sun.

• Team Members: Aalok Gami, Rahul Thakur, Ranjit Thakur
• Working Mechanisms: A system called a solar tracking system places an object in relation to the sun at an angle.
• Uses: It is employed to maintain solar collectors and solar panels pointed directly at the sun during the course of each day.

RFID card-based door lock System

“RFID card-based door lock System” is also one of the systems today being used in today’s world around the workplace. Our students have successfully created and completed this project to create the system, which has a very complex design and mechanisms.

• Team Members: Ajar Shrestha, Arpeen Chhatingal
• Working Mechanisms: The automated door lock system works on a series of RFID cards when placed upon the censor which then opens the door.
• Uses: These types of systems can be used to fully automate the door locking system, to prevent and protect from thief and burglar activities.

Jumbo RC Car

RC cars have always been popular among people, where traditionally RC- cars were used for entertainment purposes, but with the advancement of technology and innovation. Now, the RC-cars are also being used for different purposes. Our students here as part of their project have developed the Jumbo RC car, which can be utilized as a part of entertainment and multipurpose use.

• Team Members: Arsene Awale, Barsha Rai, Keshmip Chhantel, Nirwan Maharjan, Salifa Shrestha, Sambriddhi Shrestha, Shrena Shrestha
• Working Mechanisms: Radio-controlled cars, often known as RC cars, are small-scale replicas of real vehicles, such as automobiles, vans, buses, lorries, and buggies, that can be remotely operated. Both "remote-controlled" and "radio-controlled" are connoted by the abbreviation "RC".
• Uses: For surveillance, RC cars and other remote-control gadgets are employed. a law enforcement agency and can be specifically made for demining landmines.

Obstacle-avoiding robot

One of the major problems throughout mankind is the accidents that happen on a daily basis, and there is no better way to avoid getting into an accident, if and only with the help of technology and innovation. Students here have tried to work on solving a similar problem, where they have developed an “Obstacle Avoiding Robot”.

• Team Members: Sampana Gurung, Barshika Thapa, Yushika Amatya, Anjila Devkota
• Working Mechanism: With the help of technology and the censors used on the robot, it can identify the obstacles in front of it, from far beyond distance and avoids the distance.
• Uses: Avoids obstacles in front of them far away from the distance which can be used in cars, for differently abled people.

Line-following robot

“Following robots are the robots or the technology which works on itself after it has been assigned a number of tasks by our students as a part of their project have developed a “Line-following robot’’ which works by itself as it follows the line drawn and assigned it to be followed.

• Team Members: Matina Mali, Swarnima Shrestha, Annie Shrestha, Subigya Thapa
• Working Mechanism: On a line drawn in front of it, the “Line following robot” follows the line and instructions given to it.
• Uses: It is used to carry goods, floor cleaning, delivery services, and transportation.

Room Cleaning Robot

“Room cleaning robot” is one of the 17 projects loved by many parents, as the robot automatically detects the dust and dirt on the floors and pathways and cleans it, itself.

• Team Members: Saksham Dhakal, Diparshan Rai, Sujan Nepal, Chris Shrestha, Reason Maharjan, Sakar Rai
• Working Mechanisms: Although it's not a "literal" bot, it can still be beneficial in some ways. Typically, this project was created with the help of an ardent workshop.
• Uses: This can be applicable for basic cleaning.

Hexapod

“Hexapod” was one of the projects developed by the students. It is a 6-legged Bluetooth-controlled device, which is compact, durable, and fast.Team Members: Spandan Raut, Gunjan Rajak, Pragyan Maharjan, Aditya Prasad Joshi,Jenish JaiswalWorking Mechanisms: Hexapod is controlled by a remote control system and is developed with the system both integrated into the Hexapod and its controlling system.Uses: Hexapods can be used to maneuver rough terrains.

Firefighting robot

One of the constant news we hear today is the tragedy of people getting caught by fire. In this regard, our students have developed a firefighting robot that automatically detects the fire and works towards controlling it.

• Team Members: Simant Singh, Ariol Bhattarai, Kritagya Kumar Shrestha, Ankit Dev Singh
• Working Mechanisms: Firefighting robots can put out a small fire rapidly. Human risk is minimal and it is simple to control.
• Uses: Firefighting robots can be used to detect fire and control it, minimizing the risk and leverage of human harm possibly.

Smart Dustbin

Technology should be used in a way that makes us and our work efficient as much as possible. Similarly, keeping this principle our students have developed a “Smart dustbin,” which with the help of the censors, automatically recognizes people coming near the dustbin and opens the dustbin cover.Team Members: Sachin Bijukchhe, Sujal Tuladhar, Saksham Shrestha, Ashwini Chaudhary, Krishal KoiralaWorking mechanisms: This concept is based on an automatic trash can that starts to function as soon as someone approaches it. When someone approaches the dustbin, it automatically opens, and when they leave, it immediately closes.Uses: This can be placed in different public places and it can be also used for differently abled people for making their lifestyle easy.

Rain Alarm System

For a country like Nepal, where still a large number of people are involved in agriculture. Rain and rainwater are very important and we need to find ways to maximize the use of rainwater. “Rain Alarm System” is an electronic device, which enables the users to be altered when it’s raining.

• Team Members: Simran Thapa Magar, Bibesh Rai, Situ Manandhar, Rubina Karki, Niharika Nembang, Swarnima Chaurasai
• Working Mechanisms: An application that detects rain and sounds the alarm is known as a rainfall alarm.
• Uses: They are practical tools utilized in industries including irrigation, transportation, and wireless communication.

Soil moisture monitoring System

Soil moisture monitoring systems can be very beneficial for farmers and can increase the crop production year by year with a growth of significant amounts. With this project, our students have tried to build something like that, which determines the moisture of the soil.

• Team Members: Fortune Parajuli, Subekshya Karki, Subashana Bam
• Working Mechanisms: This irrigation system uses water. It has a switch, motor, battery, Arduino, and other components. A sensor that detects dryness in the soil activates the engine when it is dry.
• Uses: A soil moisture monitoring system is primarily used to determine the quality of the soil such as dryness.