SHAH ALAM: Five pupils from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Puchong Utama 2 proved that cost is no barrier to high-impact innovation when they clinched the Special Award in the Digital Innovation Category at the 2026 Selangor State Metamorphosis appreciation ceremony.
Known as Team Harmoni, the five Year Six pupils impressed the judges with their RM114 Pothole Detector On-The-Go, an Internet of Things-based innovation that detects potholes in real time.
They earned a RM2,000 cash prize, a trophy and a certificate of appreciation.
What makes the feat even more remarkable is that the team outperformed 240 other participants, including those from higher education institutions, local authorities and government-linked and private companies, in a competition that showcased a range of high-impact innovations.
Team member Syafierul Qaleef Shahrul Anuar, 12, said the idea for the device arose from a concern for road user safety and was also inspired by the school syllabus he had been learning since July.
“It did not cost much. We built this project for about RM114 only. We used components like light-emitting diodes, buzzer, ultrasonic sensor, guard sensor, toy car and many other parts.
“What we built is actually part of what we learn in school. Personally, I dream of studying engineering and building robots for agriculture and plantations.”
The award was presented by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Bernama reported.
Meanwhile, teacher Amirah Najihah Mohd Taufik, 25, who accompanied the team, said the gadget was designed specifically to spot road damage and send signals and alerts directly to a monitoring system.
“It sounds an alert to indicate a pothole, and we connect it directly to the system. The system transmits data in real time so that those monitoring it can pinpoint the exact location of the pothole.”
Amirah said the innovation is highly relevant, given that potholes are a critical problem that can cause accidents or injuries to road users.
She said the device would be further developed with integrated cameras and AI technology, boosting its effectiveness and its potential for use both locally and abroad.
An annual state government event, the 2026 Selangor State Metamorphosis Appreciation Ceremony recognises excellence in innovation by the civil service, private sector, higher education institutions, schools and the public.