Winning Streak At The Conceive Design Implement Operate (CDIO) Cup 2015
19 Jun 2015
Congratulations to A Abdul Hakeem and Tan Jun Hao of the Diploma in Computer Engineering course and Pheh Jing En of the Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering course and their project supervisor, Mr Asadollah Norouzi for winning the Gold Award at the Conceive Design Implement Operate (CDIO) Cup 2015. Held in Chengdu, China, they scored with their project “HuGGler”.
Envisioned by Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)’s Institute for Infocomm and Research (I2R), the HuGGler is a therapeutic pet robot designed to be a pet companion for dementia patients. The features of the initial HuGGler that the A*STAR-I2R team made include emotion recognition, sound reaction, voice and music therapy. The emotion recognition capability of the HuGGler is made possible with tactile sensors embedded under the fur. The HuGGler is able to recognise 4 different types of touch, namely, stroke, tickle, squeeze and hit. Based on how it is treated, the HuGGler would portray its emotions by producing cute vocal responses. It is common for a therapist to face difficulties when interacting with dementia patients, due to their social reclusiveness. Through using the voice mode in the HuGGler, the therapist is able to talk to the patient through the HuGGler. Using the HuGGler as a medium for communication, the patient would be more open and truthful about his or her condition. For a more relaxed situation, there is a music mode which allows the patient to listen to relaxing music.
In addition to this win, the Bronze Award was bagged by Om Bahadur Thapa, Mohamed Ifthar Bin Mohamed Fazlulkareem and Lim Guang Liang of the Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering course for their project “Brain Computer Interface and Home Control”. The students were supervised by Ms Lu Hongli. The silver award was won by another SP team from the School of Chemical and Life Sciences with their project “Converting Solid Waste into Usable and Valuable Product for Developing Countries”.
Well done!
