Students bring innovation to life in embedded systems course

Our Bachelor of Information Technology students are turning big ideas into reality through hands-on projects in their Embedded Systems course. Working in groups, they are designing and building prototypes that not only sharpen their technical expertise but also strengthen their teamwork and problem-solving skills.

A Robot Gardener for Urban Living

One group is developing an automated robot gardener to make growing fresh vegetables and herbs easier for people living in apartments or houses with limited outdoor space. The system monitors and controls soil moisture, temperature and light levels to ensure optimal plant growth.

The prototype created by the current cohort will be further developed by the next group of students, who plan to establish a balcony garden on campus. The team also presented their project to Master of Business Administration students studying sustainability, sparking discussions about commercialisation. Their vision: an affordable, low-maintenance balcony garden system that recycles household wastewater to grow healthy, fresh produce.

Safer Hiking Through Technology

Another group is working on a hiking communication device designed to keep people connected even in areas without mobile coverage. The system allows one hiker to carry a device while a companion carries the other, enabling preset messages to be exchanged for safety and peace of mind.

Looking ahead, the team envisions expanding the system so multiple devices can form a connected web, with the potential to link to mobile phones for even more versatile communication.

Exploring Music Innovation

A third group is experimenting with music technology through a project on MIDI—Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Their prototype is a MIDI keyboard that allows each button to be programmed to produce specific notes, opening the door to creative applications in digital music-making and automated music composition.

Robotics in Motion

Meanwhile, another team is building a smartphone-controlled robot car. The car can move in all directions and uses sensors to detect and avoid obstacles. It is programmed to stop and reroute when necessary, demonstrating the practical applications of robotics and automation.
In the next stage, upcoming cohorts will take the project further by integrating LIDAR technology, with the goal of building a miniature self-driving vehicle—a “mini Tesla” or “mini BYD”—to explore the future of autonomous transport.