Helen Okereke is a dynamic software engineer passionate about robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT). With expertise in web development, database management, and multiple programming languages—including C, C++, Java, Python, PHP, and SQL—she specialises in building efficient, user-friendly applications that solve real-world problems.
Recently, Helen Okereke captured attention on LinkedIn with her innovative room-to-room sorting robot, a project that pushes the boundaries of automation and innovative technology. Using a web-based booking system, the robot autonomously delivers items between rooms, showcasing her deep understanding of navigation, object identification, and system efficiency. Despite the challenges of refining its movement and accuracy, the project solidified her expertise in robotics.
Beyond her work as a developer, Helen Okereke is a dedicated tech educator and mentor. She leads workshops on home automation and voice-activated security systems. She continues to inspire others to explore the transformative power of robotics and IoT in everyday life through her work.
In this interview, The Benchmark had a chat with Helen Okereke to dive into her work and explore her expertise in software and robotics:
The Benchmark: Tell us about yourself.
Helen Okereke (HO): My name is Helen Ibukweze Okereke and I’m from Ebonyi State Nigeria. I have an advanced diploma in Software Engineering. This is also where I was introduced to embedded systems and robotics, which have shaped my career. After that, I kept practising, and I am currently studying at the African Leadership University in Rwanda.
Kindly walk us through your journey into robotics.
After secondary school, I was eager to study computer science despite having little computer exposure. A teacher in charge of our school’s computer lab sparked my curiosity, showing me how powerful computers could be.
I enrolled in the JUPEB programme at Ebonyi State University, but when COVID hit, I took the opportunity to join a computer school. Initially, I expected to learn only basic skills, but it turned out to be hands-on, requiring a laptop for practical learning. Writing my first HTML code and seeing it come to life in a browser ignited my passion for technology.
I attended a one-week robotics and embedded systems workshop a year into the programme. I was fascinated to see how software could control physical objects for the first time. After the workshop, I got my robotics kit from the organisers and continued learning independently, investing in components and refining my skills.
Over time, I began teaching robotics and embedded systems in schools and to individuals, turning my passion into an opportunity to share knowledge and innovate.
A lot of software engineers focus only on coding. What made you interested in combining software with robotics?
When I got into software development, I was excited by the ability to teach computer commands. However, my first real introduction to embedded systems and robotics came during the one-week programme. That experience sparked my passion.
The first project we built was a traffic light prototype, with the red, yellow, and green lights operating sequentially. Seeing my code control physical objects was incredible—it made me realise my fascination with innovation.
Since then, whenever I see a new invention, I analyse the logic behind it. This is my passion, and it’s what drives me.
Tell us about the most impressive project you’ve ever worked on.
The most impressive project I’ve worked on is a fingerprint security system for a house. To gain entry, a user must scan their fingerprint. If the print is authorised, the door unlocks. If not, the system switches to passcode mode after five failed attempts.
If the passcode is entered incorrectly three times, an alarm is triggered, notifying the owner of a potential intruder. The system assumes that repeated failed attempts indicate an unauthorised person trying to gain access. These were my most challenging and rewarding projects so far.
You built a robot car that delivers items. What inspired it, and what was the most challenging part?
The robot car started as a fun project, not something I intended to develop commercially. Learning and experimenting with robotics is exciting—the more I explore, the more passionate I become.
Robotics is 50% hardware and 50% software; both present challenges. One major issue with the hardware was weight. I initially built the body from wood, but it was too heavy for the robot to move, leading to wasted materials and cost. Eventually, I realised a carton worked just as well for a smaller prototype, so I switched to that.
Hardware issues can also be unpredictable—when something malfunctions, you often don’t know the exact cause. Unlike software, where you can trace errors in the code, hardware failures might stem from a faulty component, a loose connection, or even a weak battery, which isn’t always the first thing you suspect.
On the software side, writing and testing code was equally challenging. Sometimes, despite multiple rewrites, the code wouldn’t behave as expected. Both aspects had difficulties, so I wouldn’t say one was more complex than the other—they each required persistence and problem-solving.
How were you able to make your creation behave intelligently? Do you integrate AI into your work?
The robot uses sensors to detect objects and navigate its environment—similar to how our eyes function. At the front, it has an ultrasonic sensor that detects obstacles. If you watched the demo, you’d notice the robot reversing when a hand came close—that was the sensor at work.
One of the biggest challenges was room identification. The robot needed to know where to go—first to the sender’s room to collect an item, then to the receiver’s room to deliver it. Each room has a unique ID, and the robot identifies these IDs through a smart device on the door.
If the ID matches the sender’s or receiver’s, the robot stops at the correct room. If not, it continues moving until it finds the right destination.
What do you love most about working with robotics and IoT?
Like I said, it’s tough because you encounter many problems. I tell people that this is not a niche you push people into. If they don’t have the passion, then it’s not going to work because, unlike software, there are a lot of obstacles and hindrances. But then, what drives us is passion.
I remember many times, even while working on the fingerprinting project I shared, wondering why I was doing this. This is too tough.
Other times, it feels like nothing is working. But then, what drives me is passion. Even the robot project was tough. But what held me off was the passion. I wanted to see it work. Apart from just small toy ones, that was my first time building a big robot, and it was really challenging, but I also challenged myself. I had sleepless nights trying to achieve this, and I’m delighted it worked out.
What change do you hope to see in the African robotics ecosystem in the next five years?
I hope to see more investment, funding, and policy support for robotics in Africa. Smart hardware solutions can drive innovation, ease daily life, and advance economies—we need the proper backing to make it happen.
I want to add that one of the reasons I chose not to attend university in Nigeria was the lack of practical learning. Many institutions focus heavily on theory, leaving students passionate about robotics without hands-on experience. Robotics requires significant financial investment, and many aspiring engineers cannot afford the necessary components, which are mostly imported from China at high costs due to exchange rate challenges.
Universities also lack sufficient resources to train students effectively. I hope Nigeria prioritises technology-driven education and provides the right tools for students to learn and innovate.
Again, the scarcity of robotics companies in many African countries is challenging. Unlike software firms, which only require laptops, robotics companies need physical components, labs, and infrastructure, making them expensive. Unfortunately, there is little to no government support for those trying to build this industry in countries like Nigeria.
So, I hope to see more investment, funding, and policy support for robotics across Africa.
If you had all the time and resources you needed, what would be the next groundbreaking project you could build?
I would focus on developing a large-scale drone with advanced capabilities if I had unlimited time and resources. I don’t just want to build a small drone—I envision a high-performance model that can carry out practical logistics, surveillance, or emergency response tasks.
Right now, the biggest challenge is access to the right components, but I’m actively working on making this project a reality. With the proper resources, I could push the boundaries of aerial robotics and create something truly impactful.
