Aqua-Intelligent Rescue Android (AIRA)

by Almond, Denise and Elyssa

2nd Place, First Lego League Jr Philippines 2017-18 Aqua Adventure
Creative Programming Award (Gold), First Lego League Jr International Open Japan Aqua Adventure

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

            We have typhoons and floods in the Philippines as much as 26 times a year. During floods, water resources such as ponds and rivers get contaminated. It is difficult to get clean water as it takes time for volunteers to bring water and other supplies to flood victims after a storm. Sometimes, it could even take days before rescue teams arrive.

            People suffer from dehydration without water, and after floods, it takes months to repair damaged water lines. Floodwater may also go through water lines that aren’t secure, making them contaminated. For just hydration, the National Capital Region (NCR) needs 6 Olympic pools of water.

            As the threat of typhoons, hurricanes and floods continue to ravage countries all over the world, the question is – what can be done to aid the rescue team in reaching the victims; and, more importantly, how can people have access to clean drinking water in order to survive?

PURPOSE

            The Aqua-Intelligent Rescue Android (AIRA) can collect and purify flood water, thereby lessening the amount of flood while providing much needed nourishment to victims after a storm. It is charged by gathering solar energy on sunny days. When it runs out of energy, there will be a solar-powered power bank ready to charge AIRA while it runs. When it rains and the water reaches a certain level, it starts to move, gathering water into the Ultrafiltration Hollow Composite Membrane with fibers made of polymer resin (when the floodwater goes through this it leaves the polluted things in it behind), and distributing clean water to marked locations in a village.

            Since water lines take months to be repaired, AIRA can also purify water from natural resources and people can drink this.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

AIRA saves lives through 5  key actions:

(1)       AIRA is able to supply people with enough water until their rescuers arrive. People can’t survive for 3 days without clean drinking water.

(2)       AIRA helps flood waters recede faster, which allows the rescue teams to reach the victims more swiftly.

(3)       Soaking buildings or homes in flood for a long time can be dangerous. Water can not only cause structural damage, it can also provide a place for mold to live and grow. AIRA can prevent such damage by getting rid of flood water and turning it into something useful.

(4)       When floodwater contaminates water lines and they get damaged by typhoons, it takes months to repair them. AIRA can purify water from natural resources like ponds and rivers during these months. That way, people can have potable water even if it can’t go through the water lines.

(5)       Some people can get caught in the floodwater when it floods. These people can climb onto AIRA and ride it to their homes when it goes to them. Not only can this prevent people from getting diseases in the floodwater, but this can help those drowning in the flood.

Our research and prototype led us to interview experts about  Amphibious Vehicles such as TOAD and SWAN, as well as water filters such as the Ultrafiltration Hollow Composite Membrane, which can be coated with silver-nanoparticles for additional filtering.

You can read more about our research here: