Yisa, a student from Cameroon now studying at the Beijing Institute of Technology's Zhuhai campus, drew inspiration from auditing an artificial intelligence course and successfully created a robotic arm capable of solving the classic mathematical puzzle, the Tower of Hanoi.

Yisa, an advanced language student at BIT Zhuhai in South China’s Guangdong province, once stumbled upon an AI class where the professor's engaging explanation of machine learning and automation principles sparked his interest.

"Even though I was just auditing, the professor and classmates were very welcoming," Yisa recalled. "When I learned how algorithms enable machines to 'think', I wondered if a robotic arm could be taught to solve the Tower of Hanoi problem."

The Tower of Hanoi is a classical math challenge that tests logical recursion and path planning abilities. To enable the robotic arm to move the disks, Yisa, guided by the course instructor, taught himself mechanical design and vision recognition algorithms. From initial concept sketches to code debugging and optimizing parameters after numerous failed attempts, he persevered.

"The hardest part was having the robotic arm 'understand' the disk sizes and plan the optimal movement path."

After weeks of effort, when the robotic arm smoothly placed the last disk onto the target peg, applause filled the classroom. This robotic arm was not only a testament to Yisa's capabilities and successful demonstration but also highlighted the charm of cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural learning.

Yisa said that every step from auditing to hands-on practice was supported by the broad platform provided by the university. "Here, I've not only learned cutting-edge knowledge but also felt the selfless help from my mentors."

Now, this "Tower of Hanoi" robotic arm, a product of wisdom and hard work, has begun initial demonstrations, attracting many students and faculty. Yisa's story is a testament to the fruitful outcomes of the university's international education efforts.

BIT looks forward to more students bravely exploring the vast seas of interdisciplinary studies and illuminating the future with creativity.