Kenyans are known worldwide for their innovations and often coming up with brilliant ideas to solve complex problems. Twelve year old Patrick Njoroge Wachira, who is the focus of this article, created a robot that is able to detect sewage blockages using sensors connected to smartphones-and alerts the control room to take preventive measures.
Here is the interesting story of one Patrick Njoroge Wachira as told by WoK.
PNW Innovation Program CEO
Patrick Njoroge Wachira is the Founder and CEO of PNW Innovation Program – an initiative that he runs. In this program, he offers free computer lessons to university students.
He developed a passion for computers in 2020 during the pandemic while aged 10 years old. With the country under a lockdown and schools closed, Wachira decided to spend most of his time on the computer to keep himself busy.
The young innovator learned the fundamentals of computers and reached a point where he was able to repair them.
Inventing a Robot
With his knowledge of computers, he embarked on a journey to build a robot. He was able to build a robot that is connected to a smartphone and allows users to detect sewer blockages, sludges and toxic chemicals.
The system sends an alarm to the control room in real time to allow users to undertake preventive measures incase of blockages.
Dubai
His noble idea garnered attention earning him a spot to showcase his innovation at the Kenyan Pavilion during the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) at the ongoing Expo 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
After landing in Dubai, he successfully got an opportunity to be trained by Unique World Robotics – a Dubai based robotic training institute. He has received skills in robotics, science, technology, engineering and Math from the institution.
After clearing the course, he will receive a fully equipped truck with a robotics laboratory to facilitate his movements and launch of his project. He is expected to travel with the truck which acts as a mobile lab, across Kenya teaching students computer programming, coding and hardware repairs.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, one of the leading publications in Dubai, Wachira noted that he is open to investors as well as collaborations.
“If I get a chance to implement my project in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), I will be happy to collaborate with any of the civic bodies in the Emirates, be it Dubai Municipality or Sharjah Municipality to implement this robotic solution,” he said.
Bansan Thomas George who is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Unique World Robotics explained that Wachira is a dreamer and that he has been mentoring him since 2020.
“It was during the Covid-19 lockdown period that we received an email from Wachira and started working with him. We started mentoring him and his enthusiasm and talent drew our attention right from the beginning. We have seen passion and vision in him – in what he wants to do in Kenya,” he revealed during the interview with Khaleej Times.
