During the first week, we attended an orientation session where we were introduced to our group members and advisor. Our advisor provided guidance on the type of project we should undertake, emphasizing the importance of ensuring full participation from all members, avoiding repetition of previously completed projects, demonstrating creativity, and aligning the project with at least one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Following his guidance, we presented several preliminary ideas and engaged in a thoughtful discussion regarding their feasibility and relevance. 

During the second week, our group met to refine our project ideas and developed three potential titles. we prepared mini-proposal for each and submitted them to our advisor, who acknowledged our progress but noted that the ideas still lacked originality.

Encouraged to think more creatively, i proposed an Automated Underground Water Detection Robot. The team found it innovative and feasible, after discussion, we agreed it met all our requirements. and decided to submit it to our advisor.

During the third week, the proposed project was formally presented to our advisor for evaluation. The advisor carefully reviewed the concept, assessed its originality and practicality, and provided constructive feedback. Following this review, the advisor approved the project idea, acknowledging its innovative nature and suitability for an Integrated Engineering Team Project (IETP). This approval officially marked the beginning of the development phase of our project and provided clear direction for the subsequent stages of planning and implementation. 

During the fourth week, We submitted our project proposal after first conducting market research to gather accurate information on the cost and availability of the materials required for our project. In addition, we clearly defined the responsibilities of each team member and outlined the essential system functionalities. We also included a brief description of how these functionalities will be implemented, ensuring that our proposal was organized, feasible, and aligned with our overall project objectives.

During the sixth week, As software engineering students, Ruhama Fikre and I are responsible for developing the Arduino C++ code that will process and manage the data collected by the robot. We carefully designed the algorithm to control the robot’s operations, ensuring that it functions efficiently and accurately. Additionally, we planned how the information gathered by the robot will be displayed to the user, focusing on clarity, usability, and effective presentation. This work allows us to integrate both hardware and software components seamlessly to achieve the project’s objectives. 

During the seventh week, We met with our advisor to carefully review the project designs and discuss the materials we plan to purchase, including their costs and availability. We also received guidance on the experiments and preliminary tests that should be conducted before beginning the actual construction of the robot, ensuring that the design is both feasible and effective. This meeting served as a critical milestone, marking the official beginning of the robot-building phase and providing a clear roadmap for the next steps in our project development.

Eighth week, our team successfully proceeded with the procurement of the required components and materials for the underground water detecting robot, as previously discussed with our project advisor. The purchased items were carefully selected based on technical specifications, cost considerations, and availability to ensure compatibility with the approved system design.

Following the acquisition process, we conducted an initial review of the components to verify their condition and conformity with the project requirements. This step ensures that all materials are suitable for integration into the system before the commencement of assembly and testing.

Completing the procurement phase represents an important step in advancing the project from the planning stage toward practical implementation. 

During ninth week, our team continued the procurement process by acquiring additional components that were not available during the previous purchasing phase. These items were essential for completing the core hardware requirements of the underground water detecting robot and were selected in accordance with the approved design specifications.

The delayed availability of certain components provided an opportunity to reassess technical alternatives and ensure that the final selections met both performance and budgetary constraints. Upon purchase, the newly acquired materials were inspected to confirm their quality, compatibility, and readiness for integration into the system.

With the completion of this extended procurement phase, the project now has all critical components secured. This progress allows the team to move forward confidently into the assembly, system integration, and preliminary testing stages in the coming weeks.

This week marked the beginning of the initial assembly and integration phase of the underground water detecting robot. With all required components now available, the team focused on organizing the materials and preparing the workspace for systematic construction.

Preliminary mechanical assembly was initiated, including the setup of the robot’s structural framework and mounting provisions for key components. In parallel, initial electrical connections and hardware configurations were reviewed to ensure alignment with the design specifications established earlier in the project.

This phase allowed the team to identify potential integration challenges at an early stage and make necessary adjustments before proceeding to full system assembly. The progress achieved this week represents an important transition from component acquisition to hands-on implementation and lays a solid foundation for subsequent testing and refinement

During the twelvth week, we met with our advisor to present the progress of our underground water detecting robot. After reviewing the integrated work of the software, electrical, mechanical, electromechanical, civil, and mining teams, the advisor advised us to finalize and cover the wheeled robot in preparation for an upcoming evaluation. Following this guidance, we completed the necessary preparations, and two days later, the advisor conducted the formal evaluation. This assessment provided valuable feedback on the current state of the project and confirmed that the integrated systems were functioning as intended, marking an important milestone in our project development.