A 500 level student of the Department of Computer Engineering, University of Ilorin, Mr. Okunlola Emmanuel Olarewaju, has invented an automated hand-washing machine that can assist in the fight against the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Olarewaju while taking newsmen through his technological breakthrough at the University’s Central Workshop, said “when I saw other machines produced elsewhere which require the operator to use his leg on a pedal before either water or liquid soap could come out. I remembered and was encouraged by the exultations of our lecturers who often advised us to always deploy our knowledge to bring out innovations for mankind”.
The young inventor, who is an indigene of Ilora in the Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State, noted that he was motivated to come up with the invention as his own contribution towards improving the “collective war” being waged against the Coronavirus pandemic, pointing out that the machine was designed and produced to automatically bring out water and liquid soap into the hand of the user with ease so as to encourage the much-advised personal hygiene needed to combat the disease.
He added that he was encouraged to fabricate the machine because he felt he had the skill to produce something better than those he had seen and used.
He added that though his primary field of studies is Computer Engineering, his exposure to other aspects of Engineering through different courses he took from other Departments, particularly Fluid Mechanics, which deals with “embedded systems and robotics”, propelled him to attain the feat.
Speaking on the cost of producing a unit of the Machine, Mr. Olarewaju said that if it is produced in large number it would cost N180, 000 only.
