A pupil invention has earned its second award in as many months. Bill (Year 12) secured second place in the Technology, Design, and Innovation (TDI) Challenge.
Organised by The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) to inspire the next generation of engineers, the competition finals took place on Wednesday 10 July.
Twenty-three finalists presented their innovative projects to an esteemed panel of 13 judges. This year’s TDI Challenge was hosted by Yamazaki Mazak at their state-of-the-art facility in Worcester. Participants were treated to an exclusive tour of their factory, further igniting the passion for innovation.
Bill (Year 12) recently won first place in HackABLE, a hackathon competition hosted by Ramathibodi Hospital, a renowned medical institution in Thailand.
His invention, Handy, is a real-time sign language translation device designed to bridge the communication gap between the deaf community and the hearing population in Thailand. Roughly 400,000 Thais rely on Thai Sign Language, but only 1% of the hearing population understands it, creating significant barriers in education, employment, and daily life.
Handy utilizes AI, flex sensors, accelerometers, and gyroscopes to translate sign language into spoken Thai. This promotes natural expression and fosters greater social inclusion. Bill's vision is for Handy to become a bridge that connects sign language and spoken conversation, empowering the deaf community with independence and freedom to peruse their dreams and aspiration.
The 2024 TDI Challenge was open to students aged 14-19, providing a unique opportunity to showcase their creativity and innovation. Participants were invited to submit a design for a new product or concept and a two-minute video demonstrating its application and benefits. Finalists were chosen from the video entries submitted by the end of May 2024 and from four live semi-finals held at London Design & Engineering UTC, Silverstone UTC, WMG Academy for Young Engineers and Norfolk UTC. The finalists were invited to present their ideas in detail and the winners were announced.
The TDI Challenge not only celebrates student creativity but also highlights the importance of industry and education collaboration in addressing future challenges and opportunities.
Bill received a trophy, £300 for him personally, and £800 for the department to spend on tools and equipment.
I am incredibly grateful for the support I received from the Design Engineering department, even though I was not a Design Engineering pupil. Their guidance and encouragement throughout my journey have been invaluable. Mr Thomson, the Head of Design Engineering, with his unwavering support and enthusiasm for Handy, truly inspired me to push the boundaries of what I thought was possible.
Bill (Year 12)
