Reddam House Umhlanga Grade 8 learner Sinead Samputh (13) has won the Inspired Global Robotics Competition in the 12–13 category with a low-cost health-assistant robot, affectionately named “Baymin.” The project was inspired by her weekly volunteering at a community homework club, where she saw first-hand how limited access to basic healthcare affects children.
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.
“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,” said Sinead Samputh.
Sinead’s service ethos extends beyond robotics. 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 — the same kindness and responsibility that underpin Baymin’s purpose.
Shelley Peringuey, Head of College at Reddam House Umhlanga, said Sinead’s achievement reflects the school’s commitment to rigorous problem-solving anchored in empathy. “Baymin is clever engineering, but it is also a heartfelt response to a real need. We’re incredibly proud of Sinead’s leadership, service and technical curiosity, and we look forward to supporting her as she takes this project further.”
Sinead began coding in Grade 4 through an online programme that introduced Java, HTML, CSS and Python. Looking ahead, she hopes to keep developing Baymin and dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon who builds surgical robots that save lives.
