Girls from a secondary school, Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC) Sagamu in Ogun State, have built an AI robot called Okikiola-Sagamu, also known as Kiki-Saggy.
The project which involved 10 students and a few staff members was unveiled to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo Andrew, in Abuja. The students from the robotics team revealed to Technext that they were drawn from the senior classes and junior classes. They described the robot, noting that it stands at a height of 6 feet, weighs 60kg, and has a maximum speed of 10km per hour. “The AI robot project took about seven months, and Kiki-Saggy can talk, walk, and even gesticulate”, they said.
When the students were asked about the construction phase of Kiki, they explained that they were able to harness the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning which they invested into the robot. They also mentioned that Okiki-Saggy was their first “successful trial” as there had been previous trials which had taken place before now. Unfortunately, most of the previous robots could not make it to the final stage like Kiki did.
Their success is also attributed to the immense support from Coderina.org. a capacity-building organisation that leverages robotics and other emerging technologies to empower young learners and teachers across Africa. They also did not leave out their teachers, especially the school principal, Dr Muyibat Adenike Olodo who also doubles as the head of the robotics team.
When the robot was launched, Dr Olodo emphasized how technology is sprouting innovation and paving the way for a brighter future. She also added that the futuristic fields are empowering students to unleash their creativity, problem-solving skills, and technological prowess.
Right now, the current version of Kiki-Saggy is just the beginning. The robotics team at FGGC is envisioning an even better and more improved version for the future. Dr Mrs Olodo established that innovation is a continuous process, and some subjects taught in colleges are shaping the minds of young learners, equipping them with the tools to thrive in a world driven by cutting-edge technologies.
The functionality as well as the design of the AI robot can be challenging. The Robotics team of FGGC needed to strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality. The builders experienced these challenges during the journey of building Kiki-Saggy.
The team is said to have experienced technical difficulties, complex coding, financial challenges, hardware issues, hole drilling, and even the integration of different components. However, overcoming these challenges led to valuable learning experiences and rewarding outcomes. They received assistance to get them through the completion of the project, like help from one Madam Lisa in the United States.
The team is hoping that the Ministry of Education will extend support and encouragement to the team in order to make a better version of Kiki Saggy.
The advancements in robotics technology is something that has been noticeable. From more sophisticated sensors and actuators, all the way to improved artificial intelligence algorithms, robots are becoming smarter, more capable, indulged, and more adaptable. They are able to now navigate complex environments, perform delicate tasks with precision, and even learn from their experiences.
