Earthquake-affected students developed an unmanned ground vehicle made from recycled materials

Four friends from Reyhanlı, 12th grade students of Taipei Friendship Anatolian High School, designed an unmanned land vehicle using recycled materials.

The students, who came together during their extracurricular time, developed the prototype of the unmanned ground vehicle, which they named “ŞAHUBERR.MG1,” after working for about three months.

Designed by the students from container sheet metal, bicycle chains, car batteries and toy car parts, the vehicle moves using a command system and allows instant image transmission from its location.

The students who qualified for the top 5 of the Hataybot robot competition with their unmanned ground vehicle, which also has a mine scanning and destruction system, aim to be successful at TEKNOFEST 2026, in which they will take part.

The students work on developing their projects

Mehmet Ali Gençer, one of the students, said that they carried out the project to support the soldiers and police officers involved in the operations.

Stating that the mines in the field can be cleared without risk thanks to the unmanned land vehicle whose prototype they designed, Gençer explained that their work continues to make the ignition system temporarily installed in the vehicle permanent.

Muhammet Mustafa Şanverdi, one of the students, explained that their goal is to detect and destroy the mines in the operational areas.

Şanverdi explained that recycled materials were used in the production of the tank:

“Since we were in an earthquake zone, we made the outer body of the tank from container sheets. We used bicycle gears and chains, we provided motor power from a battery-powered car battery. We also created a laser detection point using the lasers from our old toys.”

Şanverdi stated that they want to return with honors from TEKNOFEST 2026, in which they will participate with their vehicles by improving the ignition system and improving the camera system.

Chemistry teacher Döne Şahin said he tried to support his students even though he didn't have a subject.

Stating that he shares his students' enthusiasm for the design process, Şahin said:

“I wanted to support my students as long as they didn't disrupt school. Our priority was always school and classes. By staying at home with each other, they all worked together, sometimes late at night to finish the device, they joined forces and succeeded. These children don't have hardware and software courses, they are not vocational high school students, it's a great thing that Anatolian high school students are creating such a project.”