Young innovator wins robotics competition with health-assistant robot

Sinead Samputh, a remarkable 13-year-old pupil from Reddam House Umhlanga, has made waves in the world of innovation by winning the Inspired Global Robotics Competition in the 12–13 category. Her winning project, a low-cost health-assistant robot affectionately named “Baymin,” emerged from her experiences volunteering at a local community homework club, where she witnessed the significant impact of limited access to basic healthcare on children.

Baymin is not just a simple robotic creation; it embodies empathy and care. The robot performs basic health checks, including forehead temperature scans and a quick yes/no symptom screening, to help young users understand their potential health conditions in a child-friendly manner. Sinead skillfully combined Arduino components, programmed in C++, with EV3 Mindstorms for the mechanical arm, incorporating a joystick to navigate compatibility issues between platforms.

"I realised there really are no limits — it’s not about being the smartest, it’s about being determined and passionate. I can use what I know to help others; I don’t need to wait until I’m older to make a difference," Sinead said.

Her commitment to community service does not stop at robotics. Earlier this year, she used her pocket money to cover the expenses for eight pupils from her homework centre to attend Reddam’s production of Anastasia, showcasing the kindness and responsibility that fuels her groundbreaking work with Baymin.

Reflecting on Sinead’s achievement, Shelley Peringuey, Head of College at Reddam House Umhlanga, said, “Sinead’s accomplishment exemplifies the school’s commitment to rigorous problem-solving anchored in empathy. Baymin is clever engineering, but it is also a heartfelt response to a real need. We’re incredibly proud of Sinead’s leadership, service, and technical curiosity, and we look forward to supporting her as she takes this project further.”

Sinead began her coding journey in Grade 4 through an online programme that introduced her to Java, HTML, CSS, and Python. With an eye towards the future, she hopes to further develop Baymin and aspires to become a neurosurgeon, innovating surgical robots that will save lives, a testament to her boundless passion for merging technology with humanitarian efforts.

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