Development of Automatic Handwash Portable Machine by IEEE Indonesia section: IEEE Region 10 Newsletter committee's COVID-19 heroes series

Development of Automatic Handwash Portable Machine by IEEE Indonesia section is a video as part of IEEE Region 10 Newsletter committee's COVID-19 heroes video series. This humanitarian project, its partners, and its impact are showcased in this video.

Humanitarian Project of IEEE Indonesia Section in Collaboration with Balla Cerdas, STMIK AKBA and ACT Sulawesi Selatan: Development of Automatic Handwash Portable Machine Author: Muhammad Sabirin Hadis, Student Activity Committee for IEEE Indonesia Section.

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered us into a new normal wherein people who are carrying out normal activities are required to apply health protocols to prevent an increase in transmission of COVID-19 until such time that vaccines are administered to all. These protocols include wearing masks when leaving the house, washing hands regularly, and keeping social distance in activities.

No doubt, preventing the transmission of COVID-19 still requires a lot of support. This is what prompted the IEEE Indonesia Section to distribute 10 units of Automatic Handwash Portable Machine (AHPM) to 10 different points in Eastern Indonesia, specifically in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

The 10 identified locations are the Public Health Center of Mangasa, Haji Hospital, Bhayangkara Hospital, Labuang Baji Hospital, Pelamonia Hospital, LLDIKTI Region IX, Faisal Islamic Hospital, Rindam XIV Hasanuddin, DR. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital and Daya Hospital. The IEEE Indonesia Section collaborates with the Balla Cerdas Company, the Institute of Higher Education and Computer Management STMIK AKBA, and Non-Governmental Organization Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT) Sulawesi Selatan for this humanitarian project. Prof. Dr. Eng. Wisnu Jatmiko, the Chair for IEEE Indonesia Section said that the focus of assistance was given to Eastern Indonesia, especially the city of Makassar, South Sulawesi province because it was the only area with a red zone status compared to other regions in Eastern Indonesia.

The objective of AHPM is to make it easier for the community to carry out the good habit of washing hands so as to minimize transmission of COVID-19. Muhammad Sabirin Hadis, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Balla Cerdas, who is also part of the IEEE Indonesia Section Committee, acts as the Team Leader for the Automatic Handwash Portable Machine Project for distribution to the community. He took an active role in conveying the advantages of the tools directly. He said, “Washing hands no longer requires any touching. The proximity sensor in AHPM makes the soap and water automatically come out if one simply puts the hand close to the water and soap tap, thereby minimizing the risk of transmitting the COVID-19 virus through the tap. AHPM is also portable, which means it is easy to move because it is equipped with wheels and can be placed anywhere, indoors or outdoors. It is also equipped with its own water and electrical energy storage. If the AHPM is in low battery, the handwashing operation can be switched to manual mode using a pedal. As a result, both automatic and manual modes are safe and contact-free to prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus.”

Head of ACT Sulawesi Selatan, Catherin Imran, added, “The presence of this tool made by the nation's children can further motivate people to be diligent in washing their hands in the current new normal era. AHPM has been designed by the IEEE Indonesia Section in collaboration with Balla Cerdas and STMIK AKBA, as a solution for people to diligently wash their hands without having to make direct contact with tools.”

"This assistance is not only distributed to Health Service Units such as Hospitals but also distributed to Government Agencies which are known to be locations frequently visited by the community on a large scale" said Muhammad Arafah, the Deputy Chair of Cooperation and Promotion STMIK AKBA. He added, “Thus, the presence of this Automatic Handwash Portable Machine can make people more disciplined in washing their hands according to the government's appeal in the new normal era like today.”