Students from Ploiesti, Romania clinched victory in Romania’s third Solve for Tomorrow with a pioneering speech therapy robot. Solve for Tomorrow, orchestrated by Samsung Electronics Romania in collaboration with Junior Achievement Romania, Google Romania, and Impact Hub Bucharest, concluded successfully on 29 February.

During the Solve for Tomorrow Final event, the winners were selected by a distinguished jury, including Marinica Stoian (Inspector General, Ministry of Education), Laura Aldea (Corporate Communication and Citizenship Manager at Samsung Electronics Romania), Loredana Poenaru (Education Director at Junior Achievement Romania), Sorin Sfetcu (Industry Manager at Google Romania), Vlad Craioveanu (CEO & Co-Founder of Impact Hub Bucharest), and Camelia Eremia (Client Service Director at MSL The Practice).

Simona Panait, Marketing Director of Romania and Bulgaria at Samsung Electronics Romania, reflected on the initiative, "Solve for Tomorrow demonstrates our collective effort in building the future, one idea at a time. The enthusiasm and creativity of the students in this year's edition reaffirm our belief that education, innovation, and technology are pivotal for a brighter future. We are honored to support young Romanians in bringing their innovative ideas to life, underlining our commitment to community, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability."

As a result of the judging process, the following winners were selected:

▲ First Prize: Awarded to the Roboped team from Regina Maria National Pedagogical College, Ploiesti.

The team developed a robot speech therapist prototype that uses artificial intelligence to assist children aged 5 to 8 in overcoming speech impairments, enhancing their communication skills.

▲ Second Prize: Awarded to the Feel the Energy team from Alexandru Odobescu National High School, Pitesti.

The team developed the concept of eco-platform utilizing an abandoned oil platform equipped with photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and marine turbines.

▲ Third Prize: Given to The STS Danubius team from Costache Negri National High School, Galati.

The team created a prototype boat aimed at preserving marine environments by collecting waste.

▲ Special Popularity Award: Given to Teodor Cosmin of the APH team from Traian High School, Constanta.
▲ Special Social Ambassador Award: Bestowed upon Andrea Valentina Mihai of the Roboped team from Regina Maria National Pedagogical College, Ploiesti.
▲ Special Prize Best Teacher: Awarded to Prof. Mihaela Vâjâitu from Jean Monnet High School, Bucharest.

The Solve for Tomorrow winners will receive Samsung electronics valued at €19,361.28 and training sessions provided by Google Romania.

Loredana Poenaru, Education Director at Junior Achievement Romania, remarked, "This year's Solve for Tomorrow offered a fresh opportunity to uncover young talents dedicated to forging a sustainable and inclusive future. Through Design Thinking stages and mentoring, finalists learned the essence of empathy, innovation, and positive change."

The 24 projects reaching the final were evaluated based on criteria including technological innovation, clarity and detail in presentations, development and testing of prototypes, creativity, feasibility, societal and environmental impact, and Sustainable Design Thinking.

Sorin Sfetcu, Industry Manager at Google Romania, praised the event, "The creativity, energy, and diversity of the teams were remarkable. I was impressed by the level of their presentations and their well-developed ideas." Vlad Craioveanu, CEO & Co-Founder of Impact Hub Bucharest, added, "Judging at Solve for Tomorrow allowed me to glimpse the future. The vision and solutions proposed by these young minds for societal challenges using current and future technologies are a testament to the growing entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem in Romania."

Solve for Tomorrow Romania 2023-2024 in numbers:

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