Step into NTU’s makerspaces, buzzing with rad innovations. We catch up with student teams and their gadgets – from ocean explorers to space rovers – made in three vibrant spaces

by Tan Zi Jie

1. Smart underwater vehicle for marine research

Turtleboi glides through water like a sea creature, dodging obstacles to retrieve objects and complete simple tasks such as connecting cables. It could be used to collect underwater coral samples for marine research and help in search-and-rescue efforts.

At the Dyson-NTU Studio, its creators use an industrial-grade 3D printer to create the vehicle’s external frame and milling machines to cut and fashion components such as an acrylic “end cap” that keeps internal electronics watertight. They even put a 600-litre tank in the studio to test Turtleboi’s waterproofing.

“The studio is a welcoming space for our interdisciplinary team to tinker, hold meetings and even conduct upskilling workshops for the NTU community.”

Jennifer Goh, Biological Sciences, Year 3

Dyson-NTU Studio

🛠️Acrylic bending machine, design and modelling computers with special software, metal cutting tools and more  

2. AI pendant that helps the blind “see”  

This wearable pendant uses artificial intelligence (AI) to recognise objects and read text, giving visually handicapped users real-time descriptions of their surroundings. It can even answer questions and “remember” things it has seen. The yaR wearable recently snagged the runner-up spot in the James Dyson Award.

The student team, which includes computer science undergrads Yajat Gulati and Shrivardhan Goenka, built five pendant iterations in the Innovation Lab (I-Lab), first experimenting with a microprocessor development board and later switching to modified smartwatches. The final product uses two cameras, a small CPU and a SIM card for constant internet connectivity to its AI-powered software.

“We can use our dedicated cubicle workspace in I-Lab even on weekends for our projects, such as during hackathons. The lab has been instrumental in letting us innovate efficiently.”

Yajat Gulati, Computer Science, Year 3

Innovation Lab (I-Lab)

College of Computing & Data Science

🛠️ Robotic arms, gadgets that track eye movements and brain activity, 3D printer, cubicle workspaces and more

3. All-terrain vehicle that runs science experiments

Imagine a rugged autonomous car, a robotic arm, a drone and a science lab, all rolled into one. Built to traverse the harsh Martian terrain, the Rexus Mars rover, developed for a university challenge, can gather soil samples, conduct geological studies and search for signs of ancient life. 

The Rexus robotics team relies on Garage@EEE’s power tools, including the drill press, laser cutter and electrical tools, to build the rover’s mechanical and electrical parts.

“The garage’s 3D printers are especially valuable – we can quickly create and test designs, and swiftly rectify issues, reducing the need for costly fixes later on.”

Jayesh Kothari, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Year 3

Garage@EEE

School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering  

🛠️3D printers, soldering stations, PCB milling machines, electronic instruments and more