Innovative Minds: 3 Youngsters Revolutionize the Fashion Industry with Eco-Friendly Robot
From Inspiration to Reality
When 11-year-old Yevgen Ngui noticed the colours fading from his football jersey, he began researching synthetic dyes and uncovered their toxic nature, as well as the serious harm they pose to aquatic life and human health. This inspired him and his schoolmates, Yeoh Zi Jian, 12, and Celeste Tan, 10, to create the “Marbling Robot for Sustainable Future” (MarBot4SF), a machine that merges water-marbling techniques with robotics to create stunning, eco-friendly patterns.
MarBot4SF: A Game-Changer in the Fashion Industry
MarBot4SF can help reduce the environmental impact on textile printing by creating beautiful and natural patterns on fabric. The students’ goal was to overcome environmental and health complications caused by the usage of synthetic dyes in the fashion and textile industry. Water marbling, also known as hydro-dipping, is an art form where patterns are created on a surface of water and then transferred to another item by dipping, floating, or lightly dragging the object across the surface.
Behind the Success
“I wanted to make a robot that uses natural pigment dyes instead of synthetic, so it would not continue harming the environment,” Ngui told Bernama at the Malaysia Open House Exhibition Asean 2025 on Wednesday. Yeoh, meanwhile, said learning about water marbling sparked the idea behind the MarBot4SF. “I wanted to combine art and technology with sustainability to help revolutionise the fashion industry and create a better world,” he said.
Similarly, Tan found inspiration online when she came across articles about how the fashion/textile industry is one of the leading causes of water pollution. That fuelled her passion to create the MarBot4SF.
Teacher’s Perspective
Behind their success, teacher and project adviser Adrian Ong, 34, said his students inspired him to learn more about robotics and help them realise the project. “Working with them made me realise that sometimes, it is not just about learning through textbooks … We spent a lot of time, including on weekends and holidays, on the project. “The students were willing to come back to school and spend time there, rather than hang out with their friends. Their commitment and interest motivated us (teachers),” he said.
Achievements and Future Plans
Theirs invention has already taken them places, including to the World Robot Olympiad in Turkey and the World Robot Competition in Indonesia. They also bagged gold and silver at the National Robotics Competition here last year. As they continue to refine their invention, they plan to use it to create sustainable fashion products and inspire others to join them in their mission to revolutionise the fashion industry.
Conclusion
The MarBot4SF is a testament to the power of innovation and teamwork. The three youngsters, with the guidance of their teacher, have created a machine that has the potential to make a significant impact on the environment and the fashion industry. Their dedication and commitment to their project are a reminder that even the smallest ideas can lead to big changes.
FAQs
Q: What inspired the students to create the MarBot4SF?
A: The students were inspired to create the MarBot4SF after noticing the negative impact of synthetic dyes on the environment and human health.
Q: What is the purpose of the MarBot4SF?
A: The purpose of the MarBot4SF is to create eco-friendly patterns on fabric using natural pigment dyes, reducing the environmental impact of textile printing.
Q: What are the students’ plans for the future?
A: The students plan to continue refining their invention and using it to create sustainable fashion products, while also inspiring others to join them in their mission to revolutionise the fashion industry.