Students Use Phones To Build Robots In Latest CogLabs Robotics Workshop

UNESCO, in partnership with Infinix and Qhala, on Tuesday hosted the CogLabs UNESCO Robotics Workshop 2.0, an immersive event that stems from a global initiative designed to introduce university students to robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and 3D printing using mobile-first, low-cost technologies.

Now in its second year in Kenya, CogLabs aims to make STEM education accessible and inclusive by eliminating the need for high-end desktops or expensive equipment. Participants will work with 3D-printed robot kits, repurposed smartphones, and tools such as Scratch and Teachable Machine to build, train, and code their robots. More than 20 Kenyan university students converged on Tuesday to take part in the Robotics Workshop 2.0.

They were challenged to design, code, and build robots using open‑source kits, repurposed smartphones, and affordable AI tools such as Scratch and Teachable Machine. This mobile-first approach removes the need for expensive desktops or high-end lab equipment, making robotics and AI education more inclusive than ever before.

“You have the chance to build something — not just for Nairobi, not just for Kenya, but for Africa and the world,” said Asha Mweru, Strategy Lead at Qhala, who challenged the students in her opening remarks. “I hope to see the next Iron Man or Star Wars created by someone who started right here.”

The day’s programme featured an Introduction to AI, machine learning model creation, coding with Scratch, responsible AI by design, as well as an E3bot robotics challenge. Students were encouraged to share their creativity through social media challenges, showcasing both the robots they’ve built and the stories behind them.

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Infinix, which is known for making advanced smartphone technology widely accessible, underlined the role of affordable tech in empowering youth. “As a brand, we are honoured to be part of this project,” said Stephen Otieno, Infinix PR Lead. “Our mission is to provide accessible tech solutions for every Kenyan — and that includes embedding AI tools directly into our devices to help people create, connect, and innovate.”

Marsabit Plaza, Ngong Rd. 3rd Floor Room 307 E3bot founder Joan Nadal, whose journey began by designing a robot for his young daughter, shared the global impact of the initiative. “We’ve trained more than 3,000 teachers and reached over 20,000 students in 35 countries,” Nadal said.

“This project is about more than robotics — it’s about building a global community of makers who use technology to solve real-world problems.” Nadal, who also conducted the first workshop in Nairobi in 2023, said this year’s edition reinforces UNESCO’s commitment to promoting inclusive STEM education, particularly in Africa, where mobile-first learning models are thought to be key to reaching young innovators at scale.

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