Le Minh Duc (second from left) introduces his research project at the 2023 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF 2023). (Photo Credit: Le Minh Duc)

Le Minh Duc developed a great passion for science at a very young age. When he was small, he watched YouTube videos on manufacturing science, then created his own foam airplanes equipped with an engine. Later, Duc took extra classes and developed his passion for robots.

In 2016, then 10-year-old Duc was among the young contestants at an international robotics competition held in South Korea. He brought a robot to the competition designed to help the disabled and elderly get books from a high place in the library. In another project, using knowledge that he learned from newspapers, Duc designed a wastewater line quality control model and won first prize in the Youth Robotic Competition in Southeast Asia.

“From those experiences, I realize how useful robots are to our daily lives. Since then, I still keep my passion for robots,” said Duc.

In 2023, Duc won a number of prizes, including a prize awarded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to Duc and his friend Nguyen Le Trung Kien’s research project on a “Four-legged robot model to support search and rescue of people in landslide areas.”

Duc said he got the idea after he saw the tragedy of the rescue force during the landslide at Rao Trang 3 hydropower plant in 2020, in which many soldiers sacrificed their lives. This project also won first prize in the VISEF national science and technology competition in the field of robots and smart machines.

While participating in an international competition in the United States and having an opportunity to make friends around the world Duc gained access to many new creative products and initiatives. He realized that Vietnamese students were not inferior to international students in their scientific research. That prompted Duc to do something to contribute more.

”Through such international competitions, I got to know excellent scientific research works and saw a great potential to develop the robotic industry. I hope to inspire and further spread robot making techniques to more friends,” said Duc.

Minh Duc (in white T-shirt) and Trung Kien work on the project “Four-legged robot model to support search and rescue of people in landslide areas.” (Photo Credit: Le Minh Duc)

Le Thinh, a teacher at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, guided Duc in his project “Four-legged robot model to support search and rescue of people in landslide areas”. Thinh said STEM projects integrate many fields and require the participants to do a lot of research and accumulate knowledge.

“The teacher only provides instructions. It’s the robot maker that creates the finished products,” said Thinh.

Minh Duc and his friends at the Science Club of Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted. (Photo Credit: Le Minh Duc)

Apart from robotics, Minh Duc also participated in international Olympic competitions of Math, English, and chess and earned himself many awards. Duc said entering competitions gives him fresh opportunities to accumulate experiences and skills.

Math helps him understand technical knowledge and develop his own formulas to apply to his own robot. English serves as a tool to help Duc at international events, to read and learn from forums. Now he is the leader of a group of 30 students who share a great passion for robots.

“Studying is the most important process, so I spend most of my time at it. I arrange suitable time to pursue my passion for scientific research. I also spend time helping others. I try to balance time to study, do research, and help others,” said Duc.