Thérèse Kirongozi: Congolese Inventor of Traffic Robots

Thérèse Kirongozi has revolutionized traffic control in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with her humanoid robots, an idea which has led to an incredible 60% reduction in accidents in certain parts of the nation.

Born in Kinshasa in 1973, Thérèse Kirongozi studied industrial electronics at the Higher Institute of Applied Techniques.

She developed an interest in road safety after her brother lost his life in a pedestrian collision, with a goal to establish life-saving, incorruptible traffic cops.

The eight-foot-tall, 250-kilogram aluminum beasts are a sight to behold on Congolese streets. Their helmets are equipped with solar panels that allow them to run continually, even in areas with intermittent electricity.

Like human traffic cops, these amazing machines can raise their arms and swivel their chests. Certain models are able to identify pedestrians and provide them verbal cues when it’s safe to cross.

More sophisticated models have cameras in their shoulders and eyes that track traffic movement continuously. They transmit data to police control centers using antennae that are installed on their heads.

Numerous Congolese cities have seen the robots since their June 2013 Independence Day premiere.

In addition to the eight units in Kinshasa, there are also units in Lubumbashi, Likasi, Kolwezi, Goma, and Bukavu.

Government authorities were so impressed with Kirongozi’s creation that the traffic police ordered 17 robots, one of which even made the trip to Brussels, showcasing Congolese creativity on a worldwide scale.

Units can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $27,500 to manufacture, depending on the features and generation. Installation, technical instruction, and maintenance assistance are all included in the cost.

The Future of African Innovation Through Female Leadership

The goals of Kirongozi go well beyond traffic control. Her group, Women’s Technology Association (Wotech), which she leads, is creating units that can function in poisonous conditions, robot warriors, and robots that clean roads.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wotech demonstrated its versatility by creating automated laundry machines for public spaces.

Additionally, the association collaborated with physicist Raissa Malu and the University of London.

They worked together to create hospital-use emergency mechanical ventilators during the pandemic.

By insisting that “science has no sex,” Kirongozi is challenging gender stereotypes in the tech sector. She encourages girls to pursue STEM studies, particularly in the areas of astronautical engineering and robotics.

Her creative approach acknowledges the changing nature of employment in the digital age, as she understands that as automation rises, many traditional employment may vanish.

Additional training in programmable automation and entrepreneurship is part of Kirongozi’s educational background. Through specialized training in Japan and the United States, she improved her abilities.

As urban populations grow across Africa, Kirongozi’s robots offer a scalable solution to traffic management challenges.

They combine technological innovation with practical application in challenging environments.