A REDDAM House Umhlanga learner Sinead Samputh (13) recently won the Inspired Global Robotics Competition (12-13 category) with a low-cost health-assistant robot, affectionately named ‘Baymin’.

The competition sees students make machines using coding and creative design that address global issues.

Sinead’s creation (Baymin) conducts simple health checks, including a forehead temperature scan and a brief yes/no symptom screen, then uses binary logic to suggest likely conditions in language that children can understand.

To achieve this on accessible hardware, Sinead built a hybrid system that pairs Arduino components programmed in C++ with EV3 Mindstorms for the mechanical arm, adding a joystick as a practical workaround for platform compatibility.

Also read: Reddam House Umhlanga learner triumphs at world champs

The project was inspired by the Grade Eight learner’s weekly volunteering at a community homework club, where she saw first-hand how limited access to basic healthcare affects children.

“I realised there really are no limits; it’s not about being the smartest, it’s about being determined and passionate. I can use what I know to help others; I don’t need to wait until I’m older to make a difference,” Sinead said.

Sinead is not only passionate about robotics but about giving back in a meaningful way.

Earlier this year she paid for eight learners from the homework centre to attend Reddam’s production of Anastasia, covering dinner and transport from her own pocket money.

Sinead began coding in Grade Four through an online programme that introduced Java, HTML, CSS and Python.

She has dreams of one day becoming a neurosurgeon who builds surgical robots that save lives.

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