Students of the University of Mindanao-Digos College (UMDC) in Davao del Sur have developed an Automotive Multifunction Tester and Supply (AMTS) prototype that seeks to aid vehicle electricians and technicians in performing repairs and maintenance services.
The Department of Science and Technology Region Xi announced the development of the prototype dubbed as “AutoTech" in a Facebook post.
“Students from the University of Mindanao-Digos College (UMDC) pursued a technological innovation project for vehicle troubleshooting and repair that was supported by the Department of Science and Technology thru the DOST-Academe Technology-Based Enterprise Development (DATBED) project,” it wrote on Facebook.
The four UMDC students behind the automotive innovation are Kevin Bryx B. France, a Bachelor of Technical – Vocational Teacher Education (BTVTEd) student; Gabriel Nixon A. Dela Cerna, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Engineering; Vencenth Dave B. Anical, a BS in Business Administration Financial Management; and Raymund Dowaso, BTVTED.
The DOST-XI said the funding assistance given to the UMDC team by the Technology Application and Promotion Institute of DOST (TAPI-DOST) for the project totals P53,230.
“AutoTech is an automotive multifunction tester and supply (AMTS) that aims to help vehicle electricians and technicians easily and properly identify the nature of trouble in vehicles in performing repairs and maintenance services,” it said.
“In particular, the AMTS is intended to be used for testing vehicle ignition systems like spark plug and ignition coil; testing electrical components like bulbs, relays, and fuse; testing individual sensor of the vehicle – magnetic or non-magnetic; supplying power, specifically AC current that is not applicable during testing DC power from three volts to 12 volts; and for continuity test like starter repair and alternator repair.”
On July 16, a site visit at UMDC was conducted by the DOST Provincial Science & Technology Center of Davao del Sur (DOST-PSTC DS) to ensure the full blown implementation of the project.
During the DOST-PSTC DS visit, UMDC officials expressed the institution's commitment to advance the project implementation to the commercialization and patenting phase.
Seeking to develop the students’ entrepreneurial competencies, the DATBED program supports income-generating projects that are not yet tested in the market but are seen to have high market potential and possess technical viability when commercialized.