Key facts
- Uzbekistan's Future Engineers competition featured 90 finalists from 1,925 applicants.
- Award-winning projects include a sign language to speech glove, a rapid health assessment device, and a drone interceptor.
- The ImoVox glove translates sign language gestures into speech.
- The Body Tester device measures height, weight, pulse, blood oxygen, temperature, and blood pressure in about 90 seconds.
- A new ball mill lining developed by Bekzod Gafforov reduces energy consumption by 5-10% and improves grinding efficiency by 30-35%.
- The Shunqor-8 drone interceptor can reach speeds of 450 km/h and intercept targets 8-10 kilometers away.
A national engineering competition in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, has showcased a range of innovative projects developed by young inventors, including a glove that translates sign language into speech, a device for rapid health assessments, and a drone interceptor.
The Future Engineers competition, organized by Uzbekistan's Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, attracted 1,925 applications, from which 90 finalists were selected. The winning projects span various stages of development, from early prototypes to devices already implemented in clinics and industrial settings.
Among the notable inventions is ImoVox, a sensor-equipped glove developed by engineering student Abduqodir Latifjonov. This device tracks finger and hand movements to convert sign language gestures into audible speech, aiming to bridge communication gaps. Adapted to Uzbek sign language, it records individual gestures, assigns meanings, and uses AI to form natural sentences.
Asadbek Urunov, a master's student, received an award for Body Tester, a device that measures height, weight, pulse, blood oxygen levels, body temperature, and blood pressure in approximately 90 seconds. This 'robot doctor' stores results digitally and offers preliminary recommendations, significantly reducing the time compared to conventional methods. Urunov stated that the device is already in use in around 30 organizations.
In the industrial sector, Bekzod Gafforov won first place for a redesigned lining for industrial ball mills. Developed with specialists from Navoi State University of Mining and Technologies, this combination of wear-resistant steel and cast iron reportedly increases service life by 1.5 to two times, improves grinding efficiency by 30-35%, and reduces energy consumption by 5-10%. It is already in use at facilities operated by Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company.
Dilmurod Rustamov's BARLOS, a hybrid unmanned ground vehicle that can run on electricity or petrol, was recognized for its modular design. The platform has been demonstrated to the head of Uzbekistan's State Security Service, and the team has received an order for eight units, with plans to produce 100 units in 2027.
Biloliddin Ismoilov, a student at Tashkent University of Information Technologies, secured first prize for Shunqor-8, a locally developed drone interceptor. This system is designed to counter unmanned aircraft, reportedly reaching speeds of up to 450 km/h and intercepting targets 8-10 kilometers away. It has undergone eight rounds of field testing.
Davron Polojanov developed the Hand Control Mouse K10G, a device that uses three-dimensional hand movements to control computers and other electronics, offering an alternative to conventional mice. This technology could find applications in areas like education, allowing presenters to control devices remotely.