At Barcamp, Cambodian Techies Test New Gear, Apps

A Barcamp attendee surfing the Internet at The University of Puthisastra (UP) in Phnom Penh.

The students, many from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, say smartphone-controlled robots and electronics are operated via Bluetooth technology.
A group of young Cambodian technology students has found a way to use a smart phone to control robots or even household electronics. These and other tech concerns were discussed recently at the fifth annual Barcamp event in Phnom Penh.

“If you have an Android phone, you can switch the lights or other electronics in your home on and off without spending much time,” said Tep Sophatra, a developer at the conference.

The students, many from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, say smartphone-controlled robots and electronics are operated via Bluetooth technology.

“The reason why we have created this is that nowadays phone technology is very developed, and almost everyone has a phone,” said Yim Bunchhat, who led a team to control a robot my smartphone.

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At Barcamp, Cambodian Techies Test New Gear, Apps


Cambodia is lagging behind its neighbors in the technology field. But these technology savvy youths say they hope to change that.

“If our country has no technology, then it seems we live in an era where people know nothing,” Yim Bunchhat said. “So how can we catch up with others who have already been to the moon? With this technology, we can strengthen and raise the profile of our country.”

With inventions like these, these enthusiasts say they are proving Cambodians can create new innovations themselves.