Recently, the Robothon organized by the UNNC Ingenuity Lab came to a successful close. Over 30 students, after weeks of continuous learning and preparation, participated in this intense two-day challenge and competition. By combining code with hardware and turning ideas into reality, the students created multiple robot prototypes focused on real-world issues and infused with humanistic care. The sparks of creativity ignited during the competition reflected their passion for innovation and their humanistic spirit, painting a vibrant picture of Generation Z’s ingenuity.
As the second event in the "AI X Design Thinking" innovation series, this activity was honored to have Professor Kok Wei Khong, Dean of the Business School, deliver a speech and present awards. Distinguished judges included Associate Professor Feranita, Director of the Ingenuity Lab; Associate Professor Young Hoon Chang, ARC Programme Lead; Associate Professor David Cheing from the Faculty of Science and Engineering; and Mr Zixuan Fang from Hfun-Tech.
In the previously held Design Thinking workshop, the Polaris, Ninjas, and Fashion Centre teams secured first, second, and third place, respectively, in the Best Design Award for their outstanding conceptual development and prototype design. In this Robothon, all teams integrated their acquired knowledge, using solid technical skills and learning abilities to give form to their ideas and infusing their robots with a "soul" through user-centric perspectives and humanistic values, ultimately creating robots that are both warm and capable.
University students often face challenges such as irregular schedules and psychological stress when stepping into independent life for the first time. These issues are prevalent in today’s fast-paced society and are often downplayed or overlooked, yet they continually impact students' physical and mental health. The champion team, Ninjas, focused on this problem by developing an AI dormitory companion robot named MOCO (My On-Campus Companion). Designed to serve as an intelligent life assistant for students, MOCO helps alleviate physical and mental stress. It not only enables natural wake-ups through gentle lighting and voice guidance but also monitors users' health data, recognizes emotional states, and engages in positive interactions. Additionally, it integrates campus accounts and psychological counseling services, enhancing life efficiency while safeguarding students' mental well-being. The value of MOCO lies not only in its deep consideration of the student perspective but also in the universality of the problems it addresses. With the team’s continued efforts, MOCO is expected to deliver greater practical value to a broader user base.
The second-place team, Polaris, demonstrated innovation and insight comparable to Ninjas. They focused on the loneliness and social anxiety experienced by young individuals due to the transformation of social connections in contemporary society. With keen business acumen, they recognized young people’s pursuit of "emotional value" and their consumption power. Accordingly, they designed a fluffy robot companion with a personalized personality, touch interaction, and portability, offering proactive emotional support through customizable expressions and voice interactions.
The third-place team in the Best Design Award, Fashion Centre, addressed the issue of nighttime noise disturbances in dormitories by designing the Xiaonuo Dormitory Noise Detection Robot. This robot automatically detects noise, provides instant reminders, and generates weekly reports, helping to establish an objective noise management mechanism between noise makers and recipients. With a simple design and privacy protection features, it aims to create a quiet and orderly living environment, enhancing the comfort and friendliness of communal living.
Other teams also presented remarkable works:
Campus Rover, an intelligent food delivery robot, tackled campus takeout challenges by addressing rider shortages, delivery delays, and summer cold-chain needs, significantly improving convenience and quality of campus life.
Digital Heart Bridge focused on common noise issues in dormitories, using friendly technology to alleviate dormitory conflicts and promote understanding and coexistence among students from different cultural backgrounds.
PickWarmth was designed for long-distance relationships, aiming to mitigate emotional detachment and the lack of physical contact caused by distance. It uses technology to build emotional bridges, allowing love to transcend distance and maintain intimacy.
Award-Winning Team Reflections
Ninjas
We feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to have found each other. Each of us has our strengths, yet somehow, we managed to balance each other's weaknesses and keep the team moving forward. At times, our ideas seemed chaotic, and we struggled to find the right balance between creativity and feasibility. This was undoubtedly challenging, but through discussion and mutual trust, we ultimately found solutions. In the end, our patience and perseverance paid off, allowing us to stand here as the first-place team. We are deeply grateful to have met and worked with this team, and this award holds immense meaning for us.
Polaris
This competition pushed us to try many things we had never done before, which was a significant challenge. From the initial design to the completion of our own robot, this journey was both fresh and immensely rewarding. Beyond improving skills like modeling and programming, we built strong bonds with seniors, peers, and faculty. This has been an exceptionally valuable learning experience!
Fashion Centre
We are truly honored that our AI Design Thinking project secured third place! This achievement is a recognition of both our hard work and innovative thinking. Through the competition, we deeply grasped the core of design thinking—starting from user needs and using AI to solve real-world problems. We also learned to integrate ideas and resolve disagreements through teamwork. Beyond the third-place award, the accumulation of practical experience, the enhancement of AI application skills, and the cultivation of complex problem-solving thinking are our most precious takeaways. We extend our gratitude to the judges for their recognition, to our team for their dedication, and to everyone who supported us. We will carry this growth forward and continue to delve into the path of AI innovation!
This Robothon not only honed the students' technical implementation and teamwork skills but also taught them to use design thinking to uncover real needs and convey humanistic care through technology. The Ingenuity Lab will continue to provide research and development funding to outstanding teams, supporting them in further incubating their prototypes into viable projects. Innovation extends beyond the competition, and we look forward to seeing these warm and thoughtful robot ideas continue to grow, creating even more value for the campus and society in the future.