Ro-Poumak

Inspiration

As Cambodian students and children of refugees, we have a personal connection to the devastating impact of landmines in our country. Due to war and the genocide in Cambodia, the country has been contaminated by over 6 million landmines; we understand Cambodia isn't the only country facing this problem, and it's urgent to address this issue for the safety and prosperity of the country. Explosive landmines represent a critical obstacle to the country's sustainability across multiple dimensions. Long after conflicts have ended, the country is still plagued by these war-related issues, which limits advancements in social progress, economic growth, environmental preservation, and human security.

What it does

Ro-Poumak can go across fields and remap regions contaminated by landmines. A GPS tracking module then pings located landmines and sends that data to a backend server where it would be able to update an interactive website that would show where the landmine was pinged and at what time. The affected population is given safe territory and maintained life by successfully resolving the landmines. In addition to providing a sense of safety and treating any potential long-term mental scars, clearing can enhance the communities' economic well-being.

How we built it

By combining a hall effect sensor with a metal detector, mounted on a precision-controlled oscillating arm, our robot would be able to deliver unparalleled accuracy in identifying hidden threats. The equipped tank drivetrain enables seamless autonomous navigation through diverse terrains, mapping out landmine locations in real-time on a secure website built with React and MongoDB that is accessible to the general public.

Challenges we ran into

During the process, we encountered a challenge with suitable hardware components for both the drive train and the GPS tracking module. This scarcity impeded progress and necessitated creative solutions to ensure the robot's mobility and accurate location recording functionalities were not compromised.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We take immense pride in our efforts' potential impact on our country. Through our dedication and innovation, we're addressing a pressing issue and contributing to the long-term prosperity, security, and well-being of our nation and its citizens.

What we learned

Our journey has taught us invaluable lessons, foremost among them being the realization that the planning process demands more time and attention than initially anticipated. Furthermore, navigating the prototyping phase revealed many unforeseen challenges, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and resilience in our approach to innovation and problem-solving.

What's next for Ro-Poumak

Looking ahead, we are interested in enhancing its capabilities with an integrated defusing system designed to cautiously drill into the ground and utilize a claw mechanism to safely remove landmines without triggering detonation. Our robot is not just a solution for today's challenges but a visionary tool for a safer tomorrow.