Are your kids spending too much time glued to screens? It’s a growing concern, and two ingenious primary school students in Singapore have come up with a brilliant solution: a robot designed to help children maintain a healthy distance from their devices. This isn’t just a school project; it’s a potential game-changer in the fight against screen addiction.
Elon Chan, a bright nine-year-old from New Town Primary School, and Skylar Chua, an equally talented 11-year-old from Nanyang Primary School, are the masterminds behind “RoboBuddy.” And get this – their innovative creation is set to represent Singapore at the prestigious World Robot Olympiad (WRO) finals, taking place right in their home country from November 26th to 28th.
Their project, entered in the Future Innovators (Elementary) category, is one of only three Singaporean teams competing on a global scale, among more than 500 entries. That’s quite an accomplishment!
But what exactly is RoboBuddy, and how does it work? The inspiration stemmed from the students’ own experiences. They noticed how easily they, and their friends, could get lost in the digital world, leading to eye strain and fatigue. As Skylar shared in an interview on CNA’s Singapore Tonight, “It is very hard to quit gaming. I also see my friends and cousins endlessly scrolling through YouTube and their devices for a very long time.”
RoboBuddy is designed to actively monitor the distance between a child and their screen. This clever device features two blue, eye-like sensors and is equipped with wheels for mobility. A smartphone can be easily mounted onto the robot. Here’s how it works: When a child wants to watch videos, the smartphone is placed on RoboBuddy. If the child leans in too close, the robot’s sensors detect the movement and automatically rolls backward, ensuring a safe viewing distance is maintained. It’s a simple, yet effective, way to encourage healthier screen habits!
And this is the part most people miss: the students are also developing a companion app that will allow parents to set screen-time limits and customize safe viewing distances. This adds an extra layer of control and personalization, making RoboBuddy even more valuable.
“Building the robot was quite fun, as building things has always been my hobby,” Skylar explained. “Sometimes Elon and I will take parts of Lego sets to build our own things. We feel proud to enter this competition as we are representing Singapore.” Their passion for innovation and problem-solving is truly inspiring.
Eugene Zhang, Chairman of the WRO, emphasizes that the competition aims to provide young innovators like Skylar and Elon with opportunities for hands-on learning, problem-solving, and to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education globally. The WRO has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2004 at the Singapore Science Centre, with just a dozen nations participating. Now, it’s a global phenomenon, involving over 90 countries and more than 70,000 young participants annually. The expansion is particularly notable in Africa, where participating countries have grown from five in 2020 to 14 this year.
The Future Innovators category specifically encourages students to design robots that address real-world problems and have a meaningful impact. Zhang highlighted a Zimbabwean team that developed an AI-powered voice assistant to support visually impaired users as another example of this impactful innovation. And of course, RoboBuddy stands out as a practical solution to help children develop healthier screen habits.
The issue of screen addiction is a growing concern worldwide, and Singapore is no exception. Earlier this year, the government revised its screen time guidelines for children, recommending a maximum of two hours of screen use per day for those aged seven to 12, outside of schoolwork. But here’s where it gets controversial… Are these guidelines enough? Some argue that even two hours is too much, while others believe it’s a reasonable compromise in our increasingly digital world.
Zhang also points out that robotics aligns perfectly with the World Economic Forum’s Education 4.0 concept, which prioritizes creativity and problem-solving as essential skills for the future. “Every time a student builds a robot, they’re problem-solving, they’re using their hands and their creativity. It’s the way education should be.”
RoboBuddy is more than just a robot; it’s a symbol of youthful ingenuity, a practical solution to a modern problem, and a testament to the power of STEM education. It raises an important question: How can we, as parents, educators, and a society, better equip our children to navigate the digital world responsibly and develop healthy habits? What are your thoughts on the recommended screen time limits? Do you think technology like RoboBuddy is a helpful tool, or does it create a reliance on external controls rather than fostering self-discipline? Share your opinions in the comments below!