by Aarav Godhani
Project Outcome: Automatic Streetlight Sensor
Project Description: This project involved designing and creating a working model of an automatic streetlight sensor aimed at saving energy, reducing costs, and improving accessibility for communities in need. The system used motion sensors to detect nearby movement, ensuring that streetlights illuminated only when necessary. Unlike conventional streetlights that remain on throughout the night, this model optimized energy usage, lowered maintenance costs, and promoted both economic and environmental sustainability.
The purpose of the project was twofold: first, to contribute to the country’s economic growth by minimizing energy consumption and associated costs, and second, to provide practical benefits to underprivileged communities and individuals who rely on streetlights for studying, working, or moving safely at night.
Developed as part of the Grade 10 Integrated Humanities PBL – Sustainable Communities, the project was largely self-initiated and showcased the student’s problem-solving and technical abilities. The process included researching energy-efficient technologies and the limitations of conventional streetlights, designing a motion sensor–based circuit, building a prototype using accessible materials, and testing it for reliability and efficiency.
Over the course of two months, the student successfully produced a functional prototype that demonstrated measurable energy savings and practical usability. This project stood out for its innovative approach, sustainability focus, and social impact. By addressing real-world issues such as high electricity costs and inadequate public lighting, it exemplified how technology can be leveraged to create meaningful, community-centered solutions that align with long-term development goals.