A young lady and two male students from the University of Malawi, Chimwemwe Chikankheni, Clement Nyasulu and Eliza Mankhokwe have created a Knock Door Locking System that senses the knocking pattern for security solution.
The three students are currently in their final year at the university studying Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics .
Speaking to ProjectM, Eliza Mankhokwe, team leader for the grouping, who hails from Mapira Village, T.A Mwambo in Zomba District said the new technology consists of two iconic ventures featuring a Knock Lock that senses the knock of the user and the passcode.
Mankhokwe said the user is allowed to insert his or her own knock pattern and the system stores. Whenever the owner tries to lock or unlock the door without using the passcode, the door will not be unlocked.
The 23-year-old female student stated that the second method is the Password Door Locking System where it requires the user to enter the password for the mechanism to unlock or lock the system.
She adds: “We managed to join these two methodologies to work together as one. However, the Knock-Lock System is used to lock and open the keypad cover where the owner can supply his or her pin code and this means that the user can not access the keypad without entering the exact knock. This implies that someone has to insert a knock pattern to lock and unlock the cover of the system and if one of the two fails, then you can’t be able to access the mechanism.”
According to the female innovator, the system features advanced encryption and hardware to ensure that only authorised users can gain access to keyless entry.
She said through this method, a person can also create temporary access codes for visitors, family members and service providers to maintain control at all times.
‘’Our system enhances commercial property protection, home’s security and eliminates strong enough to deter the most determined intruders. With the rising cost of crime, robbers are ruthless; hence, the need for families, including businesses to invest in innovative knock door access locking mechanism that would redefine home security and property protection,’’ said Mankhokwe.
The young lady has also said the project is faster, more accurate and secure saying their system’s uniqueness is quite different from others because some door-locking systems use only the password while others use the ordinary keys.
‘’For us, we use Arduino Micro-controller to control our system that features two boards of arduino, which include Lod for display- keypads Servo Motor ( in place of Locker), Sound sensor (in place of Poiza Bazza) as well as 5 volts battery 1 (6×4/PCB),’’She concluded.
She also said that despite the fact that materials are available on the local market, limited financial muscles prevented them from buying enough materials for the project.
The talented young girl said about K150,000 has been used to have to make the project see the light.
Commenting on the matter, Geoffrey Solomon, University of Malawi technology expert commended the trio for the powerful project.
Solomon told ProjectM that there is a need for a comprehensive approach to enhance innovation in the university by providing these students with resources to strengthen their programmes.
‘’As innovation is vital for driving growth and staying competitive, this country needs a team of skilled professionals and dedicated people like these if we are to deliver exceptional results,’’ he said.
For more information, you may contact Eliza Mankhokwe and her dedicated team on: +265 998 49 59 88.
