THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is looking at the possibility of harnessing the power of pedestrians’ footsteps to produce electricity.
The idea, ‘Kinetic Walkway’, was presented by the team from the MBPP at the recent ‘Innovation Blast’ (Non-ICT Category) competition during the Penang Innovation Day 2023 in Komtar. The team won the first place for its innovative idea.
The team leader of the ‘Heritage Team’ Mushirah Mohamad Badaruddin, together with two others – Nur Adibah Abdul Nasir and Poonchit Keloi – bagged RM1,000 for their effort.
Mushirah said the ‘Kinetic Walkway’ is an innovative energy generation project that harnesses the power of pedestrians’ footsteps to produce electricity.
“The concept taps into the inherent energy potential of people walking on a specially designed walkway, paving the way for sustainable power generation.
“The core technology lies in its electromagnetic generators strategically embedded in the pavement’s surface. As pedestrians walk along the path, the kinetic energy generated by the compression onto these generators is converted into electricity.
“This approach not only encourages eco-friendly practices but also promotes energy efficiency. The electricity can be used to power up streetlights, wayfinding signages, charging stations for mobile phones and others,” she told Buletin Mutiara in Komtar on Nov 3.
She said the ‘Kinetic Walkway’ concept could be used as one of the green initiatives under the Penang Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Programme (PNBCAP).
Another team from MBPP, the ‘Undercover’, wowed the judges with their innovative ideas for the ‘Innovation Blast’ (ICT Category) competition during the Penang Innovation Day 2023 in Komtar.
Team members – Syawal Abul Haq Ahmad Jelani and Mahendran Sereegaran – proposed two ideas: the 3M Vehicles System and the AVT (Abandoned Vehicles Tracker).
“The proposed “3M Vehicles System” is an innovative vehicle maintenance and management platform designed to streamline the way organisations oversee their vehicle fleets.
“This system offers a comprehensive approach to monitoring, managing, and maintaining vehicles, encapsulated by the three M’s: Monitor, Manage, and Maintain.
“One of the primary functions of the system is systematic vehicle maintenance monitoring, which replaces manual methods. It tracks the condition of each vehicle in the fleet, providing timely alerts and early indicators for necessary repairs and maintenance. This proactive approach helps in reducing unexpected breakdowns and ensures the safety and reliability of the vehicles.
“In addition to maintenance monitoring, the “3M Vehicles System” provides valuable financial insights. It offers information about budget allocations, enabling organisations to track their financial performance related to vehicle maintenance. The system also offers cost analysis based on historical records, helping administrators make informed decisions regarding cost-effective maintenance strategies.
“Furthermore, the system maintains a comprehensive database of each vehicle within the fleet, including records of maintenance and vehicle licenses such as road tax. This holistic approach to vehicle management enhances overall efficiency, ensures compliance with legal requirements, and ultimately leads to cost savings and improved fleet performance,” Syawal Abul Haq said.
Meanwhile, the proposed AVT (Abandoned Vehicles Tracker) could be an effective solution to addressing abandoned vehicle issues in Penang, Mahendran said.
“An AVT app can be developed, and the public can easily pin the location of the abandoned vehicle through the app for the local council to take immediate action.
“Other useful programmes could also be integrated with the AVT app for it to be more holistic,” he said.
The proposed 3M Vehicles System idea won first in the ‘Innovation Blast’ (ICT Category) competition, bagging RM1,000 while the AVT (Abandoned Vehicles Tracker) proposal grabbed third place, earning RM300.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran congratulated all the participants from MBPP who took part in the Penang Innovation Day 2023 in Komtar.
“I know that everyone did their best and that is the most important.
“We must continue to learn from our experience and strive to do better.
“The MBPP has always been striving to be innovative in its services. Being innovative is thinking out of the box and finding creative ways to solve problems faced by people.
“We encourage our employees to be innovative in their work because it will benefit all parties – the individual, the local council and the public,” Rajendran said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alissala Thian and Siti Nuratikah Rahmat