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Walter Nyamukondiwa–Mashonaland West Bureau
Chirping out fine lines on an ordinary wooden board, Billy Rwodzi deftly lays out copper wire before burying it in glue.
The result is a multifunction circuit board, which could provide universal solutions to challenges in agriculture, mining and general convenience.
Adding a few other components measured through a makeshift testing “machine”, a customised torch, Billy has developed a system that remotely controls an irrigation pump.
The board can also be configured to remotely detonate explosives in mines.
Another slot can be used to start, lock, and unlock up to 30 cars from a cellphone in any part of the world.
It’s a five-in-one circuit board that could change a lot of things in mining, agriculture, and social systems.
Electronics is a concise field, where electrical current flow and resistance are measured in minute detail.
But how does Billy do it?
“I put this system together using unconventional means,” he said.
“In place of a test meter to gauge the flow of electric current, I use a miners torch, which I modified to give a basic understanding of the components I added.”
The torch now gives him an idea of the operations of each component.
A dim light, he said, gives him an idea of the behaviour of a component while he also interprets the meaning of a flicker of light or a constant glow.
“For instance, I know that if I connect a component and it flicks once, then I know that it allows power to pass once,” he said.
For terminals, Billy uses screws.
Very unconventional!
Electrical engineering experts also believed the same when they encountered Billy’s contraption.
It was a clash between orthodoxy and self-directed learning or unschooling.
So puzzled was an academic from CUT that he suggested that Billy had incorporated the open-source Adjuno Circuit System, which is customisable.
“I don’t know what that is and I have never come across it. I developed this from scratch by getting a wooden board that I drew lines on before laying copper cables and adding glue,” said Billy.
The academic said science was about interrogating any claims and the process was important in ensuring that there were no intellectual or copyright infringements in his innovations.
Growing up, while others were pushing wire cars, Billy had developed a motorised car with a joystick.
“I have always wanted to do things differently. I push myself and when I am in the process of coming up with my inventions, I do not want to be disturbed. I close myself in my workshop,” he said.
From those humble beginnings, some people still doubt his sanity.
Some people think I am not normal, he said.
From applying himself fully, he started having dreams of “someone” instructing him on what to do.
“I initially ignored the dreams until it became unbearable and I started writing down, drawing sketches and applying the concepts,” said Billy.
It is said one’s talent will secure him a place before kings and rulers.
Billy was this week called to make a presentation of his innovations before Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo, officials from her office, lecturers, and officials from CUT.
There were also officials from various Government Ministries including Primary and Secondary Education, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development among others.
Billy gave a code to one of the officials, which resulted in the pump running and water flowing from the tap.
A similar code was used and the flow instantly stopped.
“It stores the instruction until another instruction is given. I came up with this innovation to bring convenience to people of different circumstances.
“It does not use the internet so even my grandmother can use it while in her round hut,” said Billy.
He desires to set up a company and improve his innovations.
When he started, the cellphone-controlled irrigation system needed a solar panel and battery.
However, Billy has since improved the system contained in a lunchbox-sized case to only be charged once a month.
“I discovered that there are batteries that can charge during use so I developed my system so that you only need to charge it once a month,” said Billy.
Minister Chombo pledged the Government’s commitment to assisting Billy achieve his dreams.
“This development cements Government’s drive through Heritage Based Education and Education 5.0 which promote the production of tangible goods,” said Minister Chombo.
Director in her office Mr Douglas Chiwiro said Government was handing over Billy to CUT so that they give him a conducive environment to innovate.
CUT Associate Professor, Applied Physics and Information Technology for Development Professor Maria Tsvere said Billy would be placed at the University’s Innovation Hub.
“We need to get clearance from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education so that we bring him under our care,” she said.
“The potential is there and we want to place him at our Innovation Hub.”
Innovation is a continuous process and Billy is not stopping with several works in the pipeline.
Currently, he is working on a digital identity system or digital certificate system that aggregates a person’s particulars.
“Anyone with a trusted or connected device can be able to get information about a person, including the name,” he said.
The system can work as part of security at a company or organisation where the band will carry the identity of the person.
The codes on the band cannot be interpreted by any other device.
It can be a digital name tag.
Online Reporter