ROBOTECHᵪ LAB

Four teams of students from RoboTechX Lab Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai participated in the second edition of Emirates Robotics Competition organised by Khalifa University, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and Dubai Future Labs. The event ran from December 2023 to February 2024.  

The competition brings together talented teams from across the region, united by a common goal: harnessing the power of robotics to address the pressing issue of environmental cleaning. The teams of undergraduate Computer Engineering Informatics students were shortlisted to the final round from 16 participants of well-known universities across the UAE.

Team Shuri of MDX won the first prize in the ‘Manipulation’ category, where the robot must pick up trash, classify the item as metal, plastic, paper, or glass, and place the trash in the related bin. The team deployed EPSON VT6 robot equipped with a webcam to detect trash, and a custom 3D printed gripper. The robot is controlled by Python and Arduino codes powered by custom trained Artificial Intelligence (AI) model.

The AED 15,000 cash prize award was presented by Dr Hamad Karki of Khalifa University, Ahmad Alattar of Dubai Future Labs, and Dr Jinane Mounsef of RIT after the final round on 21 February 2024 at the competition venue in Khalifa University Abu Dhabi. 

Middlesex University Dubai is delighted to take part in ‍‍‍‌UAE Hackathon #هاكاثون_الإمارات 5.0 this year. The closing ceremony today addressed by The Minister of Community Development, H. E. Hessa bint Issa Buhumaid and Director-General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) – UAE H. E. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar.

Rabih Bou Rached the CEO of FEDS Drone-powered Solutions (Falcon Eyes) shared an inspiring presentation with students and lecturers of Computer Engineering and Informatics department Middlesex University Dubai. The presentation followed by a demonstration of flying indoor drone inside the Oasis Theatre.

 

Continuing the annual tradition, our first year BSc IT/IS students present their smart things creation before their lecturers and seniors as part of project assignment in CST1160 Emerging Technologies module. In this module, the students acquired essential knowledge and skills to build smart devices based on their own ideas using Arduino microcontroller combined with various electronics and other components. Some of the creations presented this year including Smart Irrigation System - a device monitor soil moisture level of a certain area and pump water when it is too dry; Smart Parking Gate - a system to control entry and exit gate of a parking area while monitoring the parking space availability; Coin Dispenser - a gadget to dispense certain number of one Dirham coins based on the inserted notes.

The project is not only encouraging the students to implement what they learnt, but also to train them to collaborate in group work and improve their presentation skills.

Middlesex University Dubai has been selected as the facilitator of the Toshiba Kioxia HACKcellence Festival (HACKFEST-21) organized by Group ISD. Launched on 16-June-2021, HACKFEST-21 is described as a committed, purpose filled initiative to establish a Davos for the student universe in the Middle East, Levant, Indian Sub Continent and Africa.

Among many submissions received, 99 qualified hacks were selected to join the 6 weeks of mentoring starting on 20-September-2021, where MDX facilitates virtual meetings, talks, and consultations via online channels. Several lecturers and researchers from Computer Engineering and Informatics department were among the mentors along with industry experts and investors.

Through a meticulous evaluation process, including video pitch followed by live presentation competition, finally the board of judges, comprises of senior academics and industry veterans, selected three winners:

1. LezzGo by Mahina Magesh - a mobile app to organize social physical meetings.

2. Trash-Earn by Samkelo Ngubane - a smart trash bin solution to encourage recycling.

3. Accident Alert System by Ravinderdeep Singh - a device to automatically send alert when traffic accident happens

Judges are: Mr Hasan Haider, Founder of VC+ , Bahrain; Mr Santosh Varghese, VP, Toshiba GULF FZE; Ms Rekha Setpal- Head of Parternships and Program, IN5, TECOM; and from Middlesex University Dubai are: Ms. Engie Bashir, Dr. Supriya Kaitheri, and Dr. Krishnadas Nanath.

Mentors:

Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri of SmartWorld, UAE; Dr. Simon Galpin, VC+ Bahrain; Ms. Zainab Sharif, VC+ Bahrain, Mr. Noor Al Nahhas, Founder/CEO of nybl.ai ; From Middlesex University: Dr. Sameer Kishore, Ms. Madhumita Das, Mr. Jaspreet Singh Sethi, Mr. Judhi Prasetyo.