My name is Lesley John-Jumbo. I am 18 years old and an embedded systems developer. I like to explore the realms of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.
My team members: Blessed Pepple (19, Hardware designer), Bright Sunday (17, Embedded systems engineering specialist) and I recently developed a project called, “ReForestAI” for the HackforGood hackathon challenge 2023 organized by Techrity.
Problem Statement
Illegal logging has deteriorated the forest ecosystem, leading to the deforestation and extinction of some animals. The problem of deforestation poses harmful threats to biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and cultural heritage, emphasizing the urgent need for effective forest conversation and protective measures. And here comes ReForestAI.
Solution Overview
ReForestAI is a project that harnesses artificial intelligence, robotics and environmental science to tackle one of Africa’s most pressing environmental issues—deforestation. With ReForestAI, the global governments and environmental biologists can combat illegal logging and revive the forest ecosystem again.
Challenges Faced
For this project, we stepped out on a completely new terrain. We experienced difficulties with advanced batteries and was bamboozled by the unfamiliar electrical connections we tried. I would say these setbacks occurred because we tried new construction methods for the project.
But thanks to our thorough research skills, we found a way to correct the wiring without overloading the components with a high voltage capacity. In turn, not only did this aggressive research pay off in saving our project, we learnt a lot as a team.
Aside from the hiccups we faced in our construction method, we also battled with unstable power supply in Port-Harcourt. To solve this, we used a friend’s robotics workstation, which operated on solar power. At night, after our friend’s operating hours, we continued building, demonstrating our commitment to overcoming challenges and advancing our project despite external limitations.
Technologies Used
- AI and Machine Learning: We used tailor-made AI models for detecting deforestation and performing predictive analytics.
- Robotics: With AI embedded robots, we monitored the forest.
- Cloud computing: We used expandable cloud infrastructure for processing and storing data.
- IoT Sensors: IoT was used as an environmental sensors for collecting data.
View the ReforestAI project demo here or view the code submission on GitHub
Hackathon Experience
A special highlight for me during this hackathon challenge was the improvement of my circuit design skills. I learned the importance of running and testing codes in increments and meticulously defining algorithms based on specific circumstances. With this new knowledge I learnt, debugging my codes became a lot easier.
For my team also, our journey was punctuated with memorable moments that highlighted our individual growth. Despite our strong belief in the success of our project, we stayed grounded, acknowledging that the experience gained was a victory in itself no matter the outcome of the result. This perspective propelled us forward, creating an environment where learning and growth were just as important as the outcome.
Future Developments
Our vision goes beyond what we see; we aspire to scale this project globally by partnering with international entities, and building a network that will amplify our project’s reach.
Conclusion
We are sincerely thankful for the opportunity given to us by Techrity to participate in this hackathon challenge. The hackathon not only enabled us to showcase our skills but also offered an environment that fostered growth and creativity.
