Students of St. Hubert Seminary Senior High School (SHS) in the Ashanti Region have developed an innovative AI-powered traffic barrier system designed to enhance pedestrian safety and reduce road accidents.
The project, named “Traffic Watch 101,” was developed using a STEMAIDE robotics kit presented to mentors during an earlier in-person training under the AI4SD-Responsible AI Lab (RAIL) Robotics Club programme.
Photograph of St. Hubert Robotics Mentors receiving the STEMAIDE kit at the in-person training in May.
The training session, held in May, brought together SheCodes and STMIE coordinators from across the country as part of the Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development (AI4SD) initiative, supported by the French Embassy in Ghana.
Prince Lartey Williams, a member of the St. Hubert Robotics Team, explained that the project incorporates an Arduino Inno board and ultrasonic sensors to detect pedestrian presence.
A close up shot of the innovation
“What makes this innovation unique is the integration of sensors that actively detect pedestrians approaching a zebra crossing.
Using ultrasonic technology, the system senses when someone nears the crossing and automatically lowers a barrier to halt oncoming traffic.
Once the pedestrian has safely crossed and the path is clear, the system lifts the barrier, allowing vehicles to resume movement,” he explained
The innovation was showcased as part of an event where 14 selected schools received two LEGO robotics kits each, valued at approximately $450 per kit, to support hands-on robotics education.
Some members of the St. Hubert’s robotics team
Williams noted that while Traffic Watch 101 was built using the STEMAIDE kit.
He added that “the addition of the LEGO kits will expand the team’s capacity to explore new ideas and strengthen their robotics skills”.
The AI in Education Theme Lead, Dr. Mrs. Eunice Akyereko Adjei, commended the students for their innovative approach and shared ideas for how the system could be applied more broadly.
AI in Education Theme Lead, Dr. Mrs. Eunice Akyereko Adjei
According to her, “To support the future implementation and enhancement of road safety regulations, especially around zebra crossings, we hope to integrate a signal control system.
This would be installed about 20 metres before school zones to alert drivers that they are approaching a school area and should prepare to stop.”
She revealed that the signal board would be connected to the access control system, allowing the ultrasonic sensor to detect when a student is within 5 metres of the zebra crossing.
“Once that happens, the sensor will send information to the signal board, prompting drivers to slow down or stop to let the student cross safely. This will be a first of its kind in Ghana,” she said.
The project is funded by the French Embassy in Ghana with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the International Development Research Center (IDRC).
The Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy in Ghana, Mr. Julien Lecas, was impressed by the creativity of the students and the practical application of AI.
Mr. Julien Lecas, the Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy was impressed with the innovation
“Discover all the opportunities AI has to offer and use it to make the world a better place,” he encouraged.
Dr. Diane Brami, Miss Elisabeth Morzadec, and Mr. Ammishaddai Ofori, officials of the French Embassy were also present at the event.
Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, AI4SD Project Lead, underscored the importance of translating scientific knowledge into solutions that benefit society.
Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, AI4SD project lead
“Science is meaningless if it doesn’t translate into impact. We need people-centred AI. Be ethical about AI, and see it as a blessing to society,” he adviced the students.
He encouraged students to maximize the potential of the resources provided through the AI4SD project, including the LEGO and STEMAIDE kits.
A cross-section of participants
Mentors from participating schools shared testimonials about the impact of the AI4SD RAIL Robotics Club on student engagement and innovation.
Mr. Ishmael Ampong Ackah, a mentor from Uthmaniya SHS, revealed that 95% of the robotics club members were girls when the club was first introduced.
Mr. Ishmael Ampong Ackah, a mentor from Uthmaniya SHS receiving the LEGO kit
He noted that interest continues to grow.
Mr. Bismark Owusu from Afia Kobi Ampem SHS said the introduction of STEMAIDE kits has had a significant impact on student learning
“Students now have hands-on robotics experience, and it has instilled enthusiasm to develop more practical skills. It’s also been helpful for us mentors.”
Mr. Emmanuel Adjei of Ola SHS shared that “the school’s success in a recent regional energy challenge was largely due to skills developed through the robotics training”.
A group picture with Mentors and Stakeholders
Each of the following schools, received two LEGO robotics kits valued at approximately $450 per kit.
- Afia Kobi Ampem SHS – Ashanti Region
- Achimota Basic School – Greater Accra Region
- Wlitey JHS – Volta Region
- Akuetteh D.A. Basic School – Volta Region
- Dagbamete M.A. Basic School – Volta Region
- Avenor SHS – Volta Region
- Peki SHS – Volta Region
- TTU SheCodes – Western Region
- Holy Child Girls SHS – Central Region
- Ola SHS – Ahafo Region
- St. Hubert Seminary SHS – Ashanti Region
- Tamale SHS – Northern Region
- Bolgatanga Girls SHS – Upper East Region
- Nkonya SHS – Oti Region
