The University of Lagos as part of community service, organised a coding and robotics summer school through the University of Lagos Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Laboratory (AIROL) in collaboration with CODERINA Education and Technological Foundation and Funmi Ayinke Humanity Foundation.
It had in attendance, pupils and students of primary and secondary schools in Lagos, such as University of Lagos Staff School, University of Lagos Women Society, University of Lagos International School (ISL), Queens’ College, Corona School, VI, among others.
The Summer School, which held for six (6) weeks, was brought to a close on Friday, September 17, 2021. During the course of the programme, the participants were exposed to the world of coding and robotics and various software applications which they applied in several projects.
Dr. Chika Yinka-Banjo
Convener of the event, Dr. Chika Yinka-Banjo, in her remarks, said that the laboratory was set up in 2020 to organise industry-supported research, local competitions, foster grassroot participation for primary and secondary school students as well collaborate with local and international bodies on artificial intelligence.
Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS, in his brief speech, congratulated the children and their parents for taking part in the programme. He charged the children to aim high, dream big and water the seeds sown in them by reading books in relevant areas. Prof. Ogundipe appreciated the generosity of the sponsors and encouraged them to do more.
Engr. Funmi Ayinke, founder of Funmi Ayinke Humanity Foundation, in her address, revealed that the foundation decided to support the programme because it is necessary to mould the minds of youths from their tender ages.
Mr. Olajide Ademola Ajayi from CODERINA, expressed delight at the excitement on the faces of the children as they presented their projects and pledged continuous support to the Lab.
The children, under the tutelage of Dr. Chika Yinka-Banjo, a lecturer at the Department of Computer Science and students of the University, Joel Adebayo (Department of Systems Engineering, 500L); Daniel Adebayo (Department of Physiology, 300L); Anuolowapo Oluwatobi (Department of Mechanical Engineering, 200L) and Femi from Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), were grouped into seven (7) teams. They worked on the following projects:
| S/N | TEAM | PROJECT |
| 1. | Team A.I SQUAD | Volvo Hauler A60h Truck Build and Calibration – A truck operated with a controller to offload its contents at the press of a button. |
| 2. | Team ROBO GIRLS | – Smart Box: A box which opens when a person comes within 6cm in front of the box and remains open until the person steps away from the box. – A Reminder Robot: a robot which after increasing time (in minutes) with the brick buttons, the EV3 controller would alert the user after the set time elapses with a beep. |
| 3. | CREATIVE ROBOTS | – A Current Affairs Quiz EV3 App: An application that runs on the EV3 controller. The user is asked questions and pick a true/false answer using the controller buttons. – An Intruder Alert Robot: A robot which detects and cries out “INTRUDER!!! INTRUDER!!!” when an intruder passes through a door without notice. |
| 4. | PRIME BRAINS | An Audio Quiz – This quiz is one in which the EV3 controller reads out each question to the user. |
| 5. | LEGO CODERS | – Proportional Control: A programme which allows the robot move on a straight line even if it collides with an obstacle. – UNILAG Quiz Ev3 App: A quiz application which runs on the EV3 controller. The user is asked questions about UNILAG and is able to pick between options A, B, or C. At the end of the quiz, the player score will be displayed. |
| 6. | ROBO SQUAD | – A Smart Gate: a gate which remains closed until a button is pressed, to make it open. This gate remains open until a vehicle completely passes through the gate, then it closes all by itself. |
| 7. | BOT | – Elevator: The team built and programmed an elevator that can go from the ground floor to the 3rd floor. The user selects the floor from the EV3 controller and the elevator goes to the floor seamlessly. |
An EV3 Controller 
