Nigerian student develops QX Alpha humanoid robot

Isah Barde-Auwal, a 21-year-old computer engineering student at Baze University, has developed QX Alpha, an advanced industrial-grade humanoid robot. The project aims to create affordable robotics and artificial intelligence ecosystems to address real-world challenges in Africa.

Built using the Robot Operating System (ROS) and Smart Machine for Autonomous and Remote Control Technology (SMART), QX Alpha can operate in both autonomous and teleoperation modes. The robot is capable of moving, communicating, and interacting with its environment. Barde-Auwal noted that while the current prototype is humanoid, future iterations for security applications—such as surveillance or bomb detection in hazardous environments—will be redesigned to be more rugged and mission-specific.

Barde-Auwal’s work has been supported by a scholarship from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under its Technology Innovation Support programme. His involvement in robotics began in 2022 when he invented a humanoid exoskeleton remote control robot, which helped secure his current scholarship.