Meet a robot photographer that’s made in Tanzania

Dodoma. A group of 12 young Tanzanians from various educational backgrounds has developed a robot photographer to address the challenges faced by videographers, such as standing for long hours, often under the sun, during events.

The robot, which can operate both during the day and at night thanks to built-in lights, was developed with the assistance of experts in electronics, metalwork, wood, and aluminum.

It was also supported by the head of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at the University of Dar es Salaam's College of Information and Communication Technologies, Prof Baraka Maiseli.

According to Brighton Katabazi, the director of KBTIT, a video recording studio in Dodoma, and one of the innovators, the idea was born last year.

He said it was inspired by the experiences of his studio’s staff, who often had to stand for long periods during weddings and other social events.

"Sometimes our workers have to stand in the sun, while the person being recorded is in the shade. If the camera is left unattended and the speaker moves, the operator has to manually adjust it," Katabazi explained.

"These challenges pushed us to design a robot that can hold a camera and capture high-quality images without the need for a human to move around."

The robot is currently controlled by remote, allowing the user to position it wherever they need without moving physically. The developers plan to improve the robot so that it can operate autonomously using artificial intelligence.

So far, 45 percent of the project has been completed, with an investment of Sh3.5 million. The team expects the total cost to reach Sh15 million upon completion.

However, Katabazi cited a lack of time to work on the project due to the need to do other jobs for income, as well as a lack of a dedicated workspace, as some of the major challenges.

"We're working from home, which is not ideal. Our studio space is small, and when we're working on the robot, we block clients from accessing other services," he said.

The Dodoma District Commissioner, Mr Jabir Shekimweri, who officiated the preliminary launch of the robot, commended the innovation and urged the team to enhance the robot’s design to make it more marketable.

"Functionality is important, but appearance matters too. Even if the product works perfectly, if it doesn’t look appealing, it can deter potential buyers," Shekimweri advised.

He encouraged the developers to apply for a 10 percent loan from the council, earmarked for women, youth, and people with disabilities, to fund further improvements.

He also suggested that the robot could be adapted for use in other sectors, such as industry and agriculture.

Prof Maiseli acknowledged the challenges the team faces, including the need for better infrastructure and faster internet to ensure the robots function efficiently.

He also highlighted the importance of high-performance computing equipment like GPUs, which are still scarce in developing countries.

Despite these challenges, Prof Maiseli expressed optimism, noting the enthusiasm and dedication of young people working in robotics.

He urged the government and other stakeholders to invest in infrastructure to support innovation in the country.

"The drive among young people in this field is remarkable. With the right mentorship and support, they can achieve great things," he said.