Inventing a garbage sorting robot, male student wins full scholarship to RMIT University

Without any knowledge about robots, Dao Hieu Phong has learned by himself and with his friends invented a waste sorting robot using artificial intelligence.

Phong received a full scholarship from RMIT University Vietnam. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

With the invention of the Otto robot using artificial intelligence to classify garbage while studying at the Australian International School, Dao Hieu Phong has just become one of the 7 full scholarship holders of RMIT University in 2024.

Sharing about the design of Otto, Phong said that although the school has had many awareness campaigns, many students continue to misuse the waste sorting bins. Therefore, Phong believes that a new, creative, engaging and more effective approach is needed to build the habit of waste sorting throughout the school. And that is also the origin of the Otto project: a robot attached to the sorting bin, capable of automatically opening the correct lid after identifying the type of waste. The project aims to improve waste management and spread sustainable lifestyles, raising awareness of environmental protection right from within the Australian International School community.

As the project founder, Phong’s task was to develop the first fully functional model. Phong said this was a big challenge as he had no experience in robotics and machine learning while having to design and build the robot from A to Z.

Phong presents about robot Otto. (Photo: NTCC)

Self-taught, Phong turned his bedroom into an engineering lab. In the first week, he built dozens of circuits and made his bedroom a complete mess. After a month, Phong and his team assembled the first version of Otto, but realized there was still room for improvement, so they continued to tinker.

After many times of perseverance and effort to upgrade the Otto version, Phong and his teammates won first prize at the Ho Chi Minh City High School Science and Technology Competition. The current model can run independently for a long time and is currently being installed for testing at the Ba Thang Hai campus of the Australian International School. In the near future, Otto will be deployed throughout the system.

Dao Hieu Phong is also an excellent student with high academic achievements. During his three years of high school, Phong always maintained excellent academic achievements with an average score of over 9.7 and achieved seven A*s (perfect scores) in the Cambridge IGCSE international secondary education certificate exam.

Phong (standing in the middle) plays the guitar in the band. (Photo: NTCC)

The student is also known as a member of the school band for six consecutive years. Phong has played guitar and bass in many musical events. Passionate about jazz, Phong said he spent many days studying jazz pieces in an effort to perfect his bass playing in the school band. Phong said that being in the band is also a way to build discipline, humility and hone leadership skills.

Sharing about his plans at RMIT University, Phong said he chose to study a Bachelor of Information Technology with electives in AI because he felt happy when he could create something with technology. “I believe that technology is the key to creativity,” Phong shared. Phong also plans to join various student clubs, sports and competitions to truly immerse himself in student life.

“I have always dreamed of becoming a great inventor. To invent, you have to envision the future and dare to go where no one has gone before. There is no better time to pursue your dream than now,” Phong said./.

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/sang-che-robot-phan-loai-rac-nam-sinh-gianh-hoc-bong-toan-phan-dai-hoc-rmit-post985846.vnp