University of Malawi (UNIMA) final year students from the department of physics have developed an automated teller machine (ATM) Environment Temperature Humidity and Monitoring System to monitor temperature and humidity surrounding the ATM’s.
The students are Broodrick Mthunzi, George Chinthengo, Chimwemwe Chisomphe and Alinaphy Willy.
The group’s team leader, Chisomphe, said the system is aimed at reducing ATM downtimes and malfunctioning due to abnormal working conditions such as high or low temperature and humidity respectively.
He told ProjectM that the system is divided into two parts which include: the software and the hardware.
The hardware is powered by a 9-v power supply which has got the temperature and the humidity sensor DHT 22, including the LCD that will be displaying the values that are being collected by the DHT 22 Sensor.
And the software part consists of an application called the ATM monitor which accesses the data from the fire base that displays the 3 main regions of Malawi as to where all the ATMs can be located.
The idea followed a complaint raised by some local banks in the country particularly National Bank of Malawi, saying the bank is facing numerous challenges due to system failure to monitor the temperature and humidity which is affecting the operations of the ATM’s.
He said: “Normally, what happens is that every ATM has an air conditioner which does regulate the temperatures so that they should be within optimum range. However, when the temperature is not within the range where the ATM is supposed to operate, then the air conditioner stops functioning and this is the reason many customers fail to access money through the system.
“So, this system is developed to monitor temperature and humidity surrounding the ATM’s and thereafter the information is sent to the bank officials through phones and they will be able to take actions.”
On the part of materials, which include electronic gadgets and other components, he said some items are available in the local shops while others need to be imported from other countries such as China among others.
Lecturer in the physics department Patrick Mzaza said the university’s commitment to innovation remains unwavering and has promised to prioritise projects that can contribute to the sustainable growth of our country and address the pressing needs of the people of Malawi.
“We are appealing to the other banks in the country as well as the government to promote creativity and local innovations by providing financial support to university students who have brilliant ideas that can contribute to building a dynamic ecosystem where innovation thrives. When brilliant ideas meet money, great things happen, therefore if Malawi is to progress technology wise, there is a need for local banks to hold hands with the Universities to improve the situation.”
Meanwhile, National Bank of Malawi Interim Head of IT Christopher Chilenga has said innovation and creativity plays a role in overcoming industry challenges.
Chilenga said the innovation has the potential to improve its operational efficiency.
Meanwhile, the National Bank of Malawi is funding three projects worth K2.8 million being initiated by the four students from the department of physics at the University of Malawi.
Chimwemwe Chisomphe (student), can be reached on: +265 997 11 19 15 While Patrick Mzaza (Lecturer), is available on: +265 884 053 448.
