MMDA taps young inventors to build 'Pinoy Robocop'

It may not necessarily look like the high-powered, gun-toting RoboCop from the 1987 movie, but the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) wants a group of award-winning young inventors to draw up plans for a robot traffic enforcer.

 

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino asked the young team high school team from Dr. Yanga's Colleges, Inc. (DYCI) to build the robot that could detect traffic violators without human intervention.

 

 

"The Philippines is slated to become one of the world's top economies by the Year 2050. We will get there through the genius, hard work and skill of young people like you," Tolentino told the team.

 

Tolentino said the MMDA is eyeing a robot traffic enforcer that would be stationed at traffic signalized intersections.

 

"The Robot Enforcer would detect motorists who jump traffic lights and commit other infractions," the MMDA said.

 

The MMDA said DYCI principal Michael Yanga promised to work with Tolentino on the Robot Traffic Enforcer.

 

Earlier, the young team had designed robot named MAGIS that can detect floods, body temperature and blood pressure.

 

The robot was exhibited to MMDA officers and staff earlier this week.

 

MAGIS had garnered for the team a fourth place award in the annual World Robot Olympiad (WRO) held recently in Abu Dhabi.

 

Members of the team include Romyr Gimeno, Chelsea Morales, Alexandra Mae Guevarra, Claire Receli Renosa and coach Beryl Cruz.

 

The team's coach, Beryl Cruz, said they are now working on a robot that can detect "botcha" or double-dead meat.

 

Such a robot could be used at public markets or slaughterhouses and may be the team's entry to another international competition. — TJD, GMA News