Kano: 17-Year-Old Brings Exoskeleton Robot To Life

A 17-year-old boy in Kano State, Isah Auwal-Barde, has brought a robot to life after spending two years building it.

The robot works with robotic exoskeleton remote control, meaning it is controlled by the person operating it (robot) through demonstration with parts of his body.

Auwal-Barde said he built the robot from local materials found around him.

”It took me two years to invent the robot using local materials like DC motors, copper wires, pipes, corrugated cardboard as well as metal, among others, and the robot works with electricity.

“I want to be a robotics engineer so that I can be producing robots that can be used in addressing security challenges bedeviling the country,” he said.

Auwal-Barde stated that his father has contributed immensely in encouraging him towards ensuring the success of the project.

The teenager acknowledged the support his father gave him in pursuing his invention, as he solicits for scholarship to build his skills in robotics.

“I thank my father for encouraging me towards the success of the project.

“Now, I want to get a scholarship to further my education abroad to fulfill my dream of becoming a robotics engineer,” he said.

The young lad revealed to NAN on Saturday that a delegation from the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) visited him and promised to secure an admission for him in one of the indigenous universities to study Computer Engineering.

The boy's father, Auwal Barde said his son grew up with a passion for creativity.

Barde said that he always encouraged his son and never prevented him from achieving his potentials.

“I have been giving him words of encouragement and telling him that he will become a robotics engineer in the future.

“And whenever our electricity or electronics had faults, he was the one to repair them,” he said.

He called on the government to support his son with a scholarship to study robotics engineering abroad.

Isa Auwal Barde graduated from Government Secondary School (GSS), Sabuwar-Kofa, Kano, in 2021, and obtained seven credits in science subjects in the West African Examination Council (WAEC).