 Today we have an innovator, our very own upcoming Elon Musk, if you would like to say. This guy has come up with his very own Kenyan-made biometric attendance system. We'll get to know more about this because he has this and also other innovations that he has recently also invented. So Philip Mnganda, Kareb Usana. Hi Sandy. Glad to have you with us. Thank you. So how was your first day? It has been good. So far so good? Yeah. All right. So tell us what you do, who you are before to end the system. As you can see, over here we have the device, the devices. So he'll tell us about that in just a bit, but first tell us who is Philip and what you do. I'm Philip Mnganda and I make and sell these biometric attendance systems to schools. That's my main occupation right now. Okay. So tell us what this is and what that is. So this is a biometric attendance system and it is used by schools to send SMS to the parents whenever students arrive or leave the school premises. What they do is that they clock in or clock out like this and it will send an SMS to the parent, maybe Philip or so and so has been released from this school at this time. So the parents gets to know about the time when their children arrive or arrive at the school premises. Okay. Yeah. And we can see that on the screen and it's amazing. We'll get to the details of this because I understand this is the, I think the very fast canyon made by a biometric attendance system. Yes. Okay. So and we have a video over this. We can introduce our segment. So the next touches are coming our way. Yes. There you have it. You are watching Why In The Morning hosted by Stephanie Ayeta. That is me of course on the Y254 hashtag sport on deck. So this was made by Philip before, just before the show. Thank you for that, Philip. Thank you. Okay. So now tell us what this is and what that is before to ingest into matters. Okay. So this is an intruder detection system. It detects when there's maybe an intruder enters all premises, maybe without your knowledge. You send an SMS to you and it will also call you for you to listen to listen to what is going on in the premises. So yeah. All right. And the other one. This is the prototype, the first prototype I made for the biometric attendance system and it was a bit complicated but after the prototype I went now to production. So this is the final product. This was the first prototype. Okay. So that was the prototype and then we have the final product there. So now let's get into the biometric attendance system. How did you come up with this? Tell us the story behind this and okay, let me just start with how it works first. So it helps students clock in. So if I have it, if someone has a child in high school now that they're going back to school, the child goes to school, they clock in and then a message is sent to the parent that the student has arrived. So this helps solve the problem of transing. And what other thing does it do apart from that? It can also be used by the schools to send other general SMS's to the parents. Maybe you want to notify them or maybe a meeting on Saturday or anything. You can use the machine to send the bulk SMS to all the parents. It can also be used by the staff whereby they will be able to clock in or clock out and it will send the SMS to the principal. Okay. So it has, it serves three purposes. Okay. Tell us about this. How did you come up with the biometric attendant system? Yeah. So I was listening to the news one day and I had that, maybe I had that some girls were sitting for KCP while pregnant and others were even not arriving at the school premises on time. So I decided that I concluded that maybe if I can solve this problem, I can maybe help some parents somewhere and maybe it can also be a source of income. So now it solves, your technology is solving a problem, your innovation is solving a problem. Yes. Right. Okay. Let's take a pause there. We take a short break and we come back to get more details on that. Okay. So let's meet on the other side of the break. And we are back, we are back. Today's question we are asking you, we are TBT throwback Thursday. So Nini Likwa highlights school holidays when you are in high school. What was your highlight during the school holidays? Talk to us. The hashtag is Y254. The hashtag is Y in the morning at Y254 channel. Do that as you continue this conversation that we have started about the biometric attendant system. Now Apokatikati, we wanted, I thought, you know, how about you show us how exactly it works, you know, from you putting in the fingerprints to the SMS. Okay. So this is how it works. Maybe the student is coming to the school. So they just place their figure here. In this sensor. Then it will send an SMS. It will say, I, Philip, welcome, Karibu. And then it will send an SMS to the phone. You can see the SMS has already arrived. So this is the SMS. What did you say? Philip has reached Kawisa secondary school at 8.08 and on 28th, 04, 2022. So this message has already been sent to the parent of Philip and it has also saved the memory card for future reference. Okay. So it has a register. So it's actually immediately, as soon as you press the clock in, it sends the message. Yeah, it can be either immediately or maybe in case there are many students, it can first of all say there's messages as they clock in or clock out and then it will start sending the messages later when there are no other people around. So it can, what's the longest time it can take to send the message? Maybe it will wait for about 25 seconds. Then it will start sending the messages that it already received and it will send to the parent exactly the time when the student clocked in or clocked out. Okay, so very quite effective. So now, do you have a background in tech, where you could add maths and engineering, tell us about that. Yeah, so I don't have a background in engineering but I was interested in maybe solving problems using technology or using machines when I was young but I was very poor in maths. So you wanted to solve problems using technology. But maths, elicata. Elicata but I was also a bit good in physics, theory part, yeah. So I wanted to solve those problems, daily problems using technology, yeah. So now how did you come, did you study engineering? I tried enrolling in university, maybe in mechanical engineering now, electronic engineering but I failed, I was taught to try bridging mathematics, I tried bridging it and I also failed in maths. So I went back to, I went and studied another course, yeah. So which course did you take? That is English, Bachelor of Education, English Literature. Okay, and are you pursuing that, Laisy? No, I'm pursuing this right now, technology. So now you took a course that you didn't, you weren't interested in, Kamaliza. So what happened after that? After that I got a good job somewhere and I got paid for savings and later after the job I invested the savings in making these biometric attendance systems. So how did this idea come to your mind because I want you to take us through that journey because maybe there's someone who has an idea or something but the implementation is the problem. So take us back. How did the idea come up? Did you have, do you see this before or did you just, was it something you wanted to build? I had not seen this before so one day as I've just told you, as I was watching the news I saw the problem of forensic cases and I did not even have the spark to start but one day as our friend, our pastor was encouraging us on, maybe on focusing on our talents. He mentioned that we can try something instead of maybe searching for jobs every year and there and that's when I just approached him and I asked him about maybe starting something. I had the idea, I knew that I could do something, maybe I could make a security system and I wanted to make a motorbike tracker as well as maybe this biometric standard system. So as I was working in a supermarket I saw somebody place a figure somewhere in the finger print sensor and then the computer, the password was opened. So I said that this is the technology that I'll use. So that's how it came about. So you had, you saw the problem, the problem was there, it was currency. You were pushed by your pastor to do something with your hand and then now you walked into a supermarket. You saw someone do the finger scanner, it's unlocked the computer and you're like, this is it. I could one plus one, so this biometric for schools. Yeah, I had not seen it elsewhere but later I came to realize that they existent. So it was not just an existence. If it was up to you, it was an adventure and you asked for it. So now you have the idea, you know what you want, but do you have the knowledge on how to make it? Do you have a background? I did not have the knowledge, I did not even know what programming was. So I decided to train myself how to program. I took a laptop, I borrowed a laptop from my friend and I started, maybe I bought some kits, some chips for, to learn how to program. So I started, I bought a book also, a notebook and I started learning maybe from online resources and elsewhere wherever I could get any knowledge. My goodness, that was passion. You know how people say programming, coding, everything is hard. You didn't go to a school because I just need a laptop. So you got a laptop and that's how you started. How long did you teach yourself? It took me about three weeks to learn the basics and then I started working on the project, on the Biometric Attendance System and within three months it was complete, I started selling the first one. Okay, so three weeks, it looks like a first time, but I'm thinking your learning was selective to what you wanted to achieve. So that's how you were learning after learning, so you were putting it into practice. So when was the first prototype? This is the first prototype, right? The first prototype, the first one was in a dish, in a milk dish. And I think we have that, we have the image of the first prototype in a dish which will be displayed on the screen later on as we go on. So that was the first prototype? Yeah, after the first prototype I took it with a pasta and it told me that it did not look so good. So I was quite discouraged. I thought it did not like my idea. But later on I said that maybe he's telling me the right thing, so I went back and tried to make something which is more attractive, which looks like a biometric attendance. So when I drew this one, then I cut it and then I fixed the other components and it looked like this. I also took it back to him and he said maybe if the edges were a bit smoother it would be better. I was quite discouraged again and I went back, I sent the same thing and then I came up with this one. This was the final one. No, this is the current one in the market. Yeah, this is very old, I made this one in 2019, so it's the first one. So this is very interesting. You made the first prototype in a dish, a lunchbook dish. And I wanted to sell it in the back. So you got a critic, you took it the wrong way and then you say, ah, it's good, it's good how fun it is. And then you came up with this, you kept improving, so you took the feedback positively and now we have this. So tell us, what do you use to make this gadget? Yeah, as you can see, I just use the old wires, some laptop batteries, the ones you maybe throw away, they have some good parts. So I get those parts, some are from old TVs and maybe the others are from local shops. So most of the things here are recycled, especially the wires, they are recycled. Wow. Okay. So how long does it take you to make this? Yeah, I think I can make about three or four in a day, biometric attendant systems. Okay, do you have people, employees working for you or do you make it yourself? How is the business? For now, for now I'm making it, I don't have a blaze, but I have people who help me in marketing, they maybe come and pick some, go to sell to some schools and they then get some commission. Commission from that. Yeah. Okay, so why is it that you don't have people helping you make them? Is it because the money isn't there to pay them or is it because it's too technical? No, I'm looking forward to employing some people to help me in making the machines, but once the market is a bit big, for now I can manage maybe to, I get an order, I deliver it within three days. Okay, so until the business expands. Yeah. So tell us, this is something you are bringing to the market. Yes. Now, marketing it into schools, how was it? Was it easy to sell it? Okay, at first it was not easy, the first time I tried working to maybe the different schools around and even in my county, and it was not easy because they did not believe something can be made in Kenya and maybe a lasting solution. So it was not easy at first. So they didn't believe in products, Kenyan products, because we have Chinese products like this one. Yes, and it was quite cheaper, it was quite affordable, and they thought that the deal was too good to be true. This deal is too good to be true because one is cheap, it's Kenyan, and I see it's just one Chinese. And it's portable, very simple to use. Very portable. And how different is it from the Chinese gadgets in terms of use? This one is quite different in that it does not depend on internet, it does not depend on servers or computers to run. It runs just like this and it is controlled using just an SMS, a phone, maybe you want to send an SMS to the parents, you just tell it to send this SMS to these parents, it will do just exactly like that. Wow, so it doesn't have an internet, so it's easy to use even for people who are to a machine and you go to a school that they can't access the internet. So this is quite good. And it will even train them on how to use it. Oh, it trains? Yeah. All right. So what are some of the other facts that comes with it? It's benefits. The benefits. Yeah, the fact that it does not use internet, that is a benefit, it is also a bit cheaper than the other and it does not use software, so it does not need a software to run. So once you buy it, you are good to go. Some of the challenges that you experienced? Yeah, while marketing, because I did not have the cash, I had invested all the cash in the biometric attendant system, so I did not maybe have a car to work around with. So some teachers could see me, could see that this one does not look like it is there, the one who has made the product, so they could not, they could maybe ignore, maybe they could think that I was a conman, but for now that one has been solved. Oh, because when you were starting, you didn't have a lot, so branding is a big deal. So you didn't have a car to move. If you're bringing your product to us, how much is one? About 50,000 to 60,000. 50,000 to 60,000. So if you're bringing us a product to us, 50,000 to 60,000 and you're not driving a car, then there are no differences. And there are no previous differences because this is the first product you bring into the market. Wow. So how is the reception from schools? Now the reception is quite very good. It's very good because I've been selling to, maybe whichever region I go, I make sure I sell some biometric attendant systems, maybe for references also, and I'm happy for that. The intake is very good. Okay. And something different from it, this was the first time you, you know, this is the first time we did this, the innovation, it was new to you. Have you thought of training other people? Are you doing that or is it part of your plans in future? Yes, I've been training a group of young people, young boys from my area. That is Mukuru Kojenga. But there is a slight challenge. We don't have enough laptops. So sometimes it is not easy. But I'm looking forward to training even more youth, even in schools. So that maybe they can take up technology positively and try their things. Because when they see that this thing can be made in Kenya, they will be motivated. I mean they do something better. So what do you train them in exactly? How to, do you train them in electronics, do you train them in programming, coding? Yes, electronics, programming, C programming in, yeah. That is the language I use, C language. All right. Is it free or are you charging? Yeah, for now it's free for them. Wow, that's very noble of you. Now tell us about the other products that you have apart from this. Yeah, so I also have this tracking device. This one will sense if an intruder maybe end as a premise, it will, maybe let's say there is an intruder, it will send an SMS to the person, maybe to me, wherever I am. So it will send an SMS and I will know that an intruder has sent and my premises and I will go and check. So it can work the same as maybe a CCTV and if you have a CCTV it will be an advantage. So this is, it uses lesser technology. The red light? Yeah, yeah, that light, it's lesser. So immediately someone comes into your home without your knowledge, it alerts you? Yeah, it will send an SMS to you and it will also try to call you, it will call you. So when you listen you just know what is going on in that place. Yeah, everything going on. So what if I have someone come to my house and so do I have to alert it, someone is coming or what? Yeah, you can also deactivate it using an SMS, maybe you want to, maybe next time but you are in that premise, you maybe send an SMS, pause. For example, you want to pause for an hour or two hours you can pause using an SMS. Okay, wow. So when did you come up with this particular one? So during the COVID-19 period when we were in the lockdown, I saw one of my uncles had a problem. So no, it was a friend who had a problem. Someone had gotten into his premises and maybe stolen some laptops from him. So I said maybe if I can try to solve in this problem, I also saw another problem where some people had stolen some musical instruments from a church and I said maybe if I can solve this problem, maybe it will be an advantage to them. Wow. And what is it with you and solving problems? I think it's in body. And do you think that's the way to go for everyone basically not even just in tech. If you wanted to achieve, you need to solve a problem and that's... Yeah, I think that is the best way to go if you want to maybe get something maybe in technology or maybe achieve. You just try to get a problem, you solve it, maybe using technology and it will be divided to you. So what are the components of this? Because I'm seeing the laptop charger adapter. This one. The case. Okay, this is a recycled laptop charger adapter and as you can see it is just a dead tree and some components which are programmed to work like that. This one is also a prototype. So this is the laser, this is the light. If you maybe come across this light, it will detect that there is an intruder. And if you send an SMS, this is the SMS it has already sent one. Saying? It is saying motion has been detected here at shop three. It brackets maybe main all. Okay, so in case you have a CCTV so it alerts you and then you can check your CCTV to see who exactly is there. Other future advancements that you're hoping to make in all of these technologies? Yes, I'm trying to add another feature in this biometric attendant system whereby to also have a face detection feature whereby maybe the student will just have to show his face and it will send an SMS to the parent. Wow, interesting. And on the security system? On the security system, I'm looking forward to integrating it with the CCTVs so that it will also send a link for the CCTV. Okay. If someone wants to partner with you, do you have any partnerships? For now, I don't have any partnerships but I'm looking forward to doing business with different people. For both projects or for? Yeah, I can maybe, for example, this one I can maybe sell maybe to a company and resell it. And this one I can even have partnerships. And back to the biometric system, you said it's 50 to 60,000. Yes. Is it one-off? Do you get benefits with the SMSs? How do you profit from it? Yeah, for now it's one-off. Once you buy it, it's one-off. The SMSs you have to subscribe. Okay. That's quite incredible. Your vision for the future, what do you see for your company? Tell us what your company is where we can find it in social media and then your vision for the company. Yes, my company is Rufids Autotech Solutions and I'm looking forward to selling even to different countries here in Kenya and in Africa, different counties and countries. So I'm looking forward to doing business. I'm solving more problems. And solving more problems, that is quite recommendable. Do you have any help assistance from the government for the start-ups? Since I was new in technology and research, I have not gained inroads to the government but I'm looking forward to maybe getting help wherever I can get. Initially I tried but I failed because I could not explain myself well. Okay. So now you're better at it? Yeah, I'm better. I can tell what programming is, what I've done and I can explain better so that I can get better. So now we want you to tell the youth something as we come to a close. And have you made your social handles again? You can get me through Facebook, Philip Ganda or maybe through our website Rufids Autotech Solutions Rufids.co.ke Any word for the youth? I can tell them that if we can maybe solve in our daily problems, there are a lot of solutions we can solve, a lot of problems we can solve and from that we can get something from that. Alright, thank you very much for coming on board and we wish you the very best in your innovation, your devices and continue representing us. We want to have a very own representing internationally. Alright, so that has been from Philip Ganda, the CEO of Rufids Rufids Autotech Solutions Rufids Autotech Solutions, the innovator of the biometric attendant system and the security system. We take a short break and we'll be back with Val for entertainment