Robotic window cleaner wins supreme 'Bright Sparks' award

2013 Bright Sparks Awards Winners

Robotic window cleaner wins supreme award

Auckland student Sohail Abdulla's robotic window cleaner has won the top prize at the 2013 Bright Sparks Awards.

The annual competition, created by The Skills Organisation, encourages young people to experience electronics and technology directly through a project-based approach.

Mt Roskill Grammar student Sohail invented his robot after seeing his father struggling to clean the family's windows, due to a back complaint.

The judges were impressed with Sohail's inspired design, which integrated software, electronics and mechanical engineering elements into a impressive final product. Sohail's documentation was also described as "superb".

Full list of winners: (all projects can be viewed at www.brightsparks.org.nz)

Supreme Award
Sohail Abdulla, Robotic Glass Cleaner (Mt Roskill Grammar)

17 years and above
1.  Sohail Abdulla, Robotic Glass Cleaner (Mt Roskill Grammar)
2.  James Watson, Remote Pharmacy Control  (Burnside High School)
3.  Alex Hunt/ Jonathan Travaille/ Josiah Witheford, Bicycle-Vehicle Safety Sensor (Rangiora New Life School)
Highly commended: Shaun Tocher, Clepsydra Display (Bayfield High)

15-16 years
1.  William Wilks, Smart Beep (Karamu High School)
2.  Nathan James, i-Water  (Burnside High School)
3.  Jonathan Everett, Auto Bike (Whakatane High School)
Highly commended: Caleb Bramwell, EDAFI (Home School)
Highly commended: Reuben Osborne, Lamb Weigh (Palmerston North Boys High School)

13-14 years
1.  Isaac Mercer, Netbook Operating System, (Churchill Park School)
2.  Caleb Baptista, Shoe Station, (Mt Roskill Grammar School)
3.  Jennifer Cheuk, Fire Engine Toy (The Electronics & Materials Technology Co)
Highly commended: Vaughan Abercrombie, Music LED Speakers (Pakuranga College)
Highly commended: Zara Olifent/Josh Wright, Pi Feed (Hillcrest High School)

Up to 12 years
1. Nicholas Wilks, Land Rover Touch Light (Home School)
2. Rowan Watt, Burnt Toast Detector (Fairfield Intermediate)
3. Steve Millar, Bowling Alley (The Electronics & Materials Technology Co)
Highly commended: Cheng-Yu Dong, My Text Display (Puahue School)

SPECIAL PRIZES
Best Work in Progress:
Nathan James, i-Water (Burnside High School)

Most Promising Person:
Reuben Osborne, Lamb Weigh (Palmerston North Boys High School)

Software Development up to 15 yrs:
Isaac Mercer, Netbook Operating System (Churchill Park School)

Software Development 16 yrs and above:
James Watson, Remote Pharmacy Control (Burnside High School)

People's Choice:
Rebecca Pretty, Self number-testing tool (St Cuthbert's College)

ENDS

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