Xuan Hoang Nguyen
Personal Products
Every project I undertake stems from real-world issues. Under the guidance of Mr. Duong Trung Hieu, who has been by my side throughout the process of designing and testing at various schools and hospitals, I have grown significantly. My family, especially my father who works in the transportation sector, has motivated me to focus on creating safety-enhancing devices. I have applied my knowledge to practical use, calculating, experimenting, and refining these devices to improve lives while constantly pushing the boundaries of my own capabilities.
Automatic Railroad Crossing Barrier and Warning System
This project's journey began during a family trip when I witnessed a tragic accident near a railway crossing. In areas without barriers or attendants, accidents can easily happen when vehicles fail to stop in time for an oncoming train. That scene stayed with me for a long time, driving me to find a solution.
After researching existing traffic warning systems, my teacher and I developed an idea for an automatic system that uses sensors to detect trains from a distance. The system would trigger warnings and automatically lower barriers as the train approached. Once the train passed, the barriers would rise, allowing traffic to flow again.
The biggest challenge we faced was ensuring the system would function reliably, unaffected by environmental factors like weather. I experimented with various types of sensors, from sound detection to vibration sensors, to find the best solution. In the end, we created a system that's not only dependable but also widely applicable, significantly reducing the risk of accidents at railway crossings.
Child Presence Detection System for School Buses
This project was born out of the growing concern over children being accidentally left behind on school buses, a serious hazard, especially in regions with extreme weather conditions. In Vietnam, from 2020 to 2024, there have been at least 10 incidents involving this issue, resulting in five fatalities. These tragedies are often caused by carelessness and lack of supervision, leading to severe consequences such as heatstroke or suffocation. This underscores the urgent need for installing safety alert systems on school buses to prevent similar incidents in the future. As a student, I feel deeply empathetic and concerned for the safety of younger children riding these vehicles. It was this concern that led me to think about creating an alert system to detect and prevent such incidents from occurring.
After discussing the idea with my teacher, I decided to develop a system using infrared sensors to scan the entire vehicle once it comes to a stop. If the system detects a student still on board, it triggers an alarm and sends an alert to the driver or parents.
The development process faced several challenges, particularly in ensuring the system's sensitivity without triggering false alarms. After multiple rounds of testing and adjusting the sensitivity of the sensors, I successfully completed a delay circuit that functions both efficiently and reliably, helping to ensure the safety of students.
Mobility-Assist Chair for the Elderly
The idea for this project came to me when I noticed that my grandparents were struggling more and more with mobility. They often found it difficult to stand up, sit down, or even perform simple exercises. I began to wonder, "Is there a way to help them move more easily without needing so much assistance from others?"
With my teacher's guidance, I set out to design a special chair specifically for the elderly, one that could assist them in performing gentle exercises. The chair was equipped with smart controls and sensors that could detect the user's posture. Once activated, the chair would guide and support them through movements like stretching, leg lifts, or turning, helping to improve blood circulation and reduce muscle tension.
The biggest challenge in this project was ensuring that the chair was both comfortable for the elderly and sturdy enough to support them throughout their exercise routine. I experimented with several design prototypes and incorporated feedback from my grandparents to refine the product. Finally, the chair was ready to be taken for testing at the hospital, marking a significant step towards bringing this idea to life.
Every project I undertake is an exciting journey, filled with challenges and valuable lessons. Thanks to my teacher's guidance, I've had the opportunity to apply what I've learned in real-world situations. This has not only deepened my understanding of technology but also made me realize the importance of creating solutions that benefit the community.