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Brothers created solar robot after they saw dad paying hefty power bills

Abu Dhabi - They were given prize money of Dh5,000 after their solar robot emerged third in the competition that took place in Dubai on Tuesday, after the team was shortlisted and invited to showcase their project on Mobile Solar Energy.

Two students of the Gems Modern Academy in Dubai - Aadi Vishal Verma, aged 11, and Aarush Vishal Verma, 9 - have made the 'MachineKraft', a robot with trackers that direct solar panels or models towards the sun.
The Indian brothers presented their project at the Innovators' Cup, which was organised early this week by the Fujairah Science Club - General Authority of Youth and Welfare.
They were given prize money of Dh5,000 after their solar robot emerged third in the competition that took place in Dubai on Tuesday, after the team was shortlisted and invited to showcase their project on Mobile Solar Energy.
The brothers said they came up with the idea of creating a robot to capture solar energy after seeing their father spending a lot on electricity bills. 
At least 30 selected projects by students from different schools across the UAE participated in the competition.The projects displayed were robots for the environment and cleaning the sea surface, among others.
"I am so happy about winning a prize in this competition," said Aarush "This is really great. Emerging in third place has given us more courage." 
Aadi said the competition was a great platform to showcase their solar project. "I was so happy to participate in this innovators' competition," he said. "It has given us a chance to create awareness on how the UAE can further utilise this idea of mobile solar energy generation."
The team had created a prototype of mobile solar robots, which can be useful in places which suffer electricity shortages.
The mobile solar trackers direct solar panels or modules toward the sun. It changes their orientation throughout the day to follow the sun's path to maximise energy capture and storage.
"So our solar tracker is programmed to angle the solar panel in the direction of maximum sunlight," the boys, who study in grades 6 and 5, said.
The judges at the innovators' cup said the competition was a great idea and will encourage school children to contribute and develop their ideas further.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com