40 January 2016 www.bahrainthismonth.com interview Tasneem Yousif Presenting at the exhibition Robodem The Robodem is a remote monitoring system which detects explosive gases using web or mobile applications. It was created by Tasneem, along with team members Aysha Khalid, Abeer Ali and Zainab Fardan, as a project in their final year studying computer engineering at the University of Bahrain. On graduation, Tasneem decided to take the invention further and, with a few modifications, she entered it into the Information and Communications Technology competition at the recent GITEX show in Dubai. The contest aims to recognise and promote tomorrow’s technology, helping to foster an environment of innovation at its technology week giving students globally the opportunity to present innovative solutions to industry leaders on a global stage. Judges came from Google, the UAE government’s Department of Presidential Affairs, Microsoft and GITEX. Robodem was one of more than 100 entries, so Tasneem was delighted to be chosen in second place, the only Bahraini invention to make the cut. She says: “The robot works in four ways: smart detecting — using sensors; tracking — EXPLOSIVELY SUCCESSFUL using GPS; monitoring — using IPB camera; and controlling — using website or mobile app. “The sensor makes an analysis giving exact gas percentages and will trigger notifications to the engineer or user. The robot was initially aimed at the oil and gas industry but could also be used in areas such as commercial premises, petrol stations or even homes — any place that needs to have a safe environment — and the sensors can be adjusted according to usage. “There are many sensors used in homes, hotels and commercial premises but these are either fixed in one place or portable for use by a human operator. Based on research, we created a detection system that can save human life by being remotely monitored and controlled and sending an alert. The robot can infiltrate areas not accessible by humans and can be controlled through Android mobile application or website.” Tasneem has patented the invention and is now hoping to find a sponsor to take it into commercial production. She says: “There was some interest but it was from a Korean company and this is a Bahraini product, so I would like to keep the production here.” For the future she plans to set up her own LIZ O’REILLY An explosive-detecting robot, invented by Bahrain-based Tasneem Yousif, was voted one of the top 10 projects from around the world at a major technology exhibition. company introducing further technological innovations and, though hesitant to reveal details, she says there is another project already in the pipeline. She also has her sights set on various other competitions, particularly one run by MIT, which is for start-ups and would certainly help get her projects off the ground.
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