By Prosper Makene
Students at the National Institute of Transport (NIT)’ have developed an innovative tracking sensor which gives passengers at bus stations information on all routes of commuter bus.
Speaking at the climax of the National Competition of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MAKISATU) 2021 in Dodoma, Prof. Zacharia Mganilwa said: “Our students have attended this year’s MAKISATU exhibition to showcase their newly introduced bus sensor technology which gives passengers the information on all routes of the commuter buses at stations,” he said.
He added: “They have innovated this technology sensor to help passengers in Tanzania’s major cities to identify the routes of the buses. This technology can also be used by Dar Bus Rapid Transport (DART).”
“The device can be fixed to any public or private buses including high-speed buses. When the bus enters at the commuter station it indicates the location where it goes,” Prof. Mganilwa said.
In addition, Prof Mganilwa has further named another technology which has been introduced by NIT students as a mask that can be used by aviation passengers and personnel to get oxygen when the plane reaches above 20 feet high.
“When the plane goes above 20 feet high, the passenger can use our masks to get oxygen. The students innovated this technology knowing that most of the passengers need fresh air when the plane goes higher above the sea level,” he said. “…apart from this technology to be used by aviation passengers, the technology can also help people who climb higher mountains, because the device designed to produce oxygen for human beings”, Prof Mganilwa said.
Prof. Mganilwa thus called on the Government to put in place a system which can recognize indigenous innovations and support them.
NIT participated for the second time in MAKISATU-2021 exhibition after one of its student Castory Njako won in last year’s competition for producing landing gear training model.
The Writer works with National Institute of Transport, Tanzania Communications Department.