Parking panic solved? Students design fire-prevention system for Vietnam's beloved bikes
Thursday, January 04, 2024, 10:38 GMT+7
Two automotive engineering technology students, Tran Nhat Thanh Huy and Huynh Nguyen Anh Kiet, hailing from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE), have innovatively designed a fire suppression system specifically catered to motorcycles – a predominant mode of transportation in Vietnam.
Presenting a pioneering prototype, these students from the faculty of international education at HCMUTE unveiled their motorcycle short-circuit and explosion prevention system.
Elaborating on their motivation, Huy stated, “The primary aim in creating this system was to elevate motorcycle safety, offering individuals peace of mind when parking their bikes in locations lacking continuous surveillance.”
Two students from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education develop a short-circuit and explosion prevention system for motorcycles. Video: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre
The system, which took three months to design, consists of a smoke sensor, an electrical current sensor, a temperature sensor, a gas and fire sensor, a module relay, a fire alarm siren, and an automatic fire suppression setup.
It utilizes a motherboard from Arduino, an Italian open-source hardware and software company, to receive and transmit signals in order to initiate the system’s fire extinguisher when needed.
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| Two students from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education develop a short-circuit and explosion prevention system for motorcycles. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre |
According to Kiet, a course he and Huy recently took on engine control and car control programming was integral to their ability to successfully program the system.
“In the near future, our team plans to upgrade the model by incorporating wireless connectivity, integrating a camera for image processing, recognizing nearby vehicles that are on fire, and notifying vehicle owners or authorities in case of fire,” Kiet said.
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| Two students from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education develop a short-circuit and explosion prevention system for motorcycles. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre |
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Van Dung, vice-president of the Ho Chi Minh City Society of Automotive Engineers and former president of HCMUTE, highlighted the practical significance of Huy and Kiet's invention.
Drawing attention to tragic incidents such as the 2018 fire in the Carina Plaza apartment buildings in Ho Chi Minh City and last year's fire in a small apartment building in Hanoi, Dr. Dung emphasized the crucial relevance of their project, designed specifically to address issues stemming from motorcycle short-circuiting.
The deadly blaze at the Carina Plaza apartment buildings in District 8 caused 13 deaths and dozens of injuries on March 23, 2018.
The inferno at the apartments on Khuong Ha Street in Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi erupted near midnight on September 12, 2023 and lasted until dawn of September 13, 2023, killing 56 individuals.
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| Two students from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education monitor indicators on a short-circuit and explosion prevention system for motorcycles. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre |
“This system boasts the advantage of utilizing highly sensitive sensors capable of detecting signals such as smoke and heat," Dung said.
"This enables swift disconnection of the motorcycle's power source, enhancing its overall safety features.
“In the event that a fire does occur, the system activates an attached compact fire extinguisher.
“Priced at approximately VND400,000-500,000 [US$17-21], the system can be easily commercialized and installed affordably.”
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| Two students from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education develop a short-circuit and explosion prevention system for motorcycles. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre |
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