Online Reporter
Ashley Phiri, [email protected]
THREE visionary Advanced Level students from Christian Brothers College (CBC) in Bulawayo have unveiled a revolutionary robotic arm designed to tackle pressing urban challenges, including waste management and climate change.
Their cutting-edge invention, developed under the Youth Climate Action Fund, is proudly on display at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), earning admiration for both its ingenuity and potential impact.
Harnessing the power of 3d printing technology, the young innovators created a model that minimises material use while maximising functionality.
The robotic arm, fitted with a changeable modulator, can adapt to various tasks across multiple industries, from efficiently sorting metal waste to streamlining construction processes.
“Everything about our model is built around reducing waste. That’s why we chose 3d printing, because it uses as little material as possible while still producing a strong, efficient design,” said Blessing Rambanapasi, the project’s lead engineer.
The robotic arm stands out for its user-friendly design. Controlled by a unique remote system that mimics the motion of the arm rather than using traditional buttons, the interface is simple enough for anyone to use, with no technical background required.
“We wanted the robotic arm to be both adaptable and accessible. The remote doesn’t have buttons, instead, it uses a model-based motion system that’s intuitive, even for someone without technical knowledge,” explained Lexx-Angelo Dube, the team’s programmer.
Drawing inspiration from their school subjects, such as coding and design, the team poured their academic knowledge and creativity into bringing the robotic arm to life. Their work embodies the spirit of innovation that the ZITF aims to showcase.
The group’s project manager, Miguel Timveos, says they are already looking to the future, hoping to scale up production and roll out the technology in real-world settings.
“We strongly believe that our innovation is a game-changer. One robotic arm can have many applications across a city, from waste sorting to industrial use. With the right investors, we’re confident we can take this to the next level,” he said.
Their innovation aligns perfectly with the Bulawayo City Council’s ZITF theme this year: “Industrialisation: The Pathway to a Smart and Sustainable City”, as well as the goals of the Youth Climate Action Fund, which supports youth-led solutions to climate-related challenges.
The initiative is backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, which awarded Bulawayo US$50,000 in micro-grants last year.
Following the success of projects like this one, the city has been granted an additional US$100,000 this year to continue supporting young innovators.
