A 21-year-old Computer Engineering student at Baze University, Abuja, Isah Barde-Auwal from Kano State, has developed a humanoid robot designed to tackle real-world challenges.
Barde-Auwal, a final-year student, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Kano.
He named the robot QX Alpha, which he described as an advanced humanoid robot built with industrial-grade technology.
According to him, the project was supported by a scholarship awarded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under its Technology Innovation Support Programme.
Barde-Auwal said his interest in robotics began several years ago. In 2022, he developed a humanoid exoskeleton remote-control robot and presented it to the NITDA Director-General.
He said the innovation helped him secure the scholarship and gave him access to equipment and tools that supported his further work in robotics and artificial intelligence.
“QX Alpha is a robotics and AI ecosystem that I am building to develop affordable technologies that can solve real-world problems, especially the challenges we face in Africa,” he said.
The student said QX Alpha is built on the Robot Operating System (ROS) and uses Smart Machine for Autonomous and Remote Control Technology (SMART).
He explained that the robot can move, communicate and interact with its surroundings. It can also operate either autonomously or through remote control.
Barde-Auwal said the initial focus of the technology includes security applications.
He noted that the robot could be adapted for tasks such as surveillance, bomb detection and operations in dangerous environments where sending humans could pose serious risks.
However, he said the robot would need to be redesigned for specific security missions rather than deployed in its current human-like form.
According to him, the body could be made stronger and more suitable for different environments while retaining the core robotics platform.
Barde-Auwal also said his ambition goes beyond developing robots alone. He wants to create a platform where young Nigerians interested in robotics can access resources, learn and develop advanced technologies.
He said he uses a combination of locally available materials and imported components for most of his projects.
The young inventor’s work adds to the growing interest in artificial intelligence and robotics among Nigerian students and young technology innovators.