Polytechnic students showcase innovative projects at event

HOW DO I LOOK? Users can ‘try on’ outfits and accessories with an interactive mirror (below). TNP PHOTOS: SUKMAWATI UMAR LITAK

With this interactive mirror, you can skip the long queue at the fitting room.

Thanks to the motion sensing device Kinect, users will be able to see themselves on a television screen, just like in a mirror.

Just place a hand over a clothing item or accessory of your choice, clench your fist to grab it and move it over your body to see how you look wearing the item.

In line with SG50, users can try on local traditional costumes, along with an array of clothing and accessories for both men and women.

Final-year students from the 3D Interactive Media Technology course at Temasek Polytechnic (TP) Nur Farwizah, 19, and Mariam Adawiyah, 24, spent about six months on this project.

Although this interactive mirror is not the first of its kind - several malls already have it in their shops - the students wanted to improve on the product.

"We wanted to create more realistic-looking clothing and felt that detection (of motion) could be more sensitive," said Farwizah.

Their project supervisor, Madam Sing Kar Lui, 54, said: "The idea of incorporating fashionable clothing to tie in with SG50 came from the students and we believe that this theme is the first of its kind locally."

Commercial applicationsTP said it is open to further commercial applications of this product.

My view I tried on several pieces of clothing and accessories in front of the interactive mirror and felt that the realism of the items could be further improved.

But it was a good way to save time, rather than actually trying on items in the stores.

CRIME DETERRENT: Students from Temasek Polytechnic created a sensor device to help prevent crime.

This device may turn out to be your best friend the next time you are in a crowded public place.

If someone tries to put his or her hand in your pocket or attempts to touch you, an alarm will sound and start flashing.

Three final-year students from Temasek Polytechnic's (TP) Biomedical Engineering course took about six months and more than 10 attempts to put this sensor device together.

Siti Farwizah, 20, who is part of the project, said that the idea behind this project was to highlight how sensors can be used in daily life.

The sensor device costs $20 to $30.

Project supervisor Soegeng Djohari, 41, said: "In recent news, our MRT trains are too crowded and conflict may arise if a woman accuses a man of molest.

"This device can give warnings to the user, or frighten off perpetrators.

"It's also applicable in public places, where pickpocketing may occur."

The team is still tweaking the device to compress the device's electric circuit as the current prototype is about A5 size.

Commercial applications Mr Djohari said that TP is open to tie-ups with companies to integrate the electric circuit of the device into something as small as an identity card so that it is more cost-effective and feasible.

My view I thought that the device would be very useful, especially if it is used in crowded places, as it could act as a crime deterrent.

TRACKING DEVICE: A team from Republic Polytechnic devised a low cost tracking device which makes use of Wi-fi and coin batteries.

Families with young children and seniors need not worry about spending a large amount of money on tracking devices.

This portable tracking system was devised by final-year Republic Polytechnic Electrical and Electronic Engineering students Muhammad' Izaat, 20, Hafiyyan Yazid, 20, and Hari Ram Ale, 20, over two years.

It uses an open wireless network, ZigBee, which means that the device is subscription-free and makes use of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections.

This would be more cost-effective compared to purchasing a smart phone with a subscription plan.

If someone with the device is out of range and cannot be detected, a warning will be sent out and an alarm triggered.

It also makes use of coin batteries, which will enter "sleeping mode" when unused, allowing minimal use of power.

Commercial applications Project supervisor Hong Ling Tim, 40, who has been overseeing this project for two years, said: "We are looking for sponsors for the device and we have loaned it to organisations like Salvation Army to test out."My view The device is useful because tracking applications on smart phones usually drain a lot of battery power and consume a lot of data.

SIMULATOR: A team from Ngee Ann Polytechnic created a simulator to allow users to drive a car in real time. TNP PHOTOS: NABILAH NORDIAN

Users can try their hand at driving with Ngee Ann Polytechnic's unmanned ground vehicle.

It makes use of a remote-controlled car with an attached GoPro camera, which transmits video onto a screen in front of users.

So "drivers" get to control the remote-controlled car with an actual steering wheel.

Final-year Mechanical Engineering students Nicholas Wah, 19, Muhammad Aizat, 19, Luqman Hakim, 20, and Sim Chun Han, 19 built on an idea that was mooted by their seniors last year - of creating a simulator for users to get a feel of driving a car in real time.

The project, which took two years to complete, is intended for people who are learning to drive.

The team is still working on minimising the occasional interferences on the screen and making it look more realistic.

Commercial applications Project supervisor Louis Ng, 39, said: "We would be happy if there were industrial partners willing to commercialise this simulator."My view This simulator certainly takes me further than the virtual racing games in arcades, but I do have a gripe: that any damage to the remote-controlled car is not reflected on the screen.