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Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
Robotic, cyber-security challenges at tech festival to inspire future defence scientists
Contestants and spectators at the final match of the AI competition at the Defence Science and Technology Agency's BrainHack tech showcase on June 12. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI SINGAPORE – Brightly coloured robots the size of tissue boxes wheel around a maze arena, racing to complete missions while avoiding capture by adversaries represented by other robots . The missions involve classifying vehicular objects in an image, extracting text from fictitious military reports, and decoding military voice communications from noisy audio recordings – tasks that these artificial intelligence (AI) robots are primed to do. Created by 185 students from 32 teams, the robots played 'scout' and 'guard' positions, while completing the maze. The teams were graded on the speed and accuracy at which their AI-controlled robots were able to complete the tasks. Points were deducted if a scout robot was captured by a guard. The challenge was part of the annual BrainHack festival organised by the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA). The tech festival exposes post-secondary school youth to emerging technologies shaping the future of national defence. The 2025 iteration of the event was held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on June 11 and 12. Ms Rachel Tan Min Zhi, 22, from the winning team in the university category, said the AI challenge required thinking out of the box. 'I am currently studying artificial intelligence. The things I learnt will be applicable in my future career,' said the second-year data science student at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Four other students in her team, which won prize money of an undisclosed sum, are also from NTU. BrainHack 2025 also featured cyber-security, space data exploitation and coding challenges. A total of 4,300 students from 100 schools participated in the event. This was the highest-ever turnout for the event, which was started in 2019 with more than 1,500 participants. The festival has since grown to include four competitions, three workshops and a tech showcase. The cyber-security challenge featured a Capture-the-Flag competition, which pitted 334 students from 102 finalist teams against one another. In this exercise, participants found and exploited vulnerabilities in websites or programs to receive 'flags'. Students also hacked into the systems of miniature models of a smart city, a construction crane and a ship ballast. In the space data exploitation challenge, students assembled their own miniature satellite, known as CubeSats, measuring 10cm by 10cm. Teams tested out their satellites by completing a simulated remote earth imaging operation in which they had to capture a satellite picture of a target area. Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad, who was the guest of honour at the BrainHack event, spoke about the critical role that technology plays on the battlefield. Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad (centre) observing a Cyber Defenders Discovery Camp challenge at the BrainHack tech showcase on June 12. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Raising the example of commercial drones deployed in the war in Ukraine , he highlighted the need for Singapore to remain vigilant, agile and forward-thinking. 'We need bold thinkers and skilled engineers who can harness emerging technologies for national defence,' he said. Mr Zachary Lee, 23, a sophomore computer science and design student at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, whose team won the coding challenge, developed an app called Truthy Go to raise awareness of scams and misinformation. Winners of the coding challenge (from left) Brandon Kim, 23, Vernice Kah, 21, Marilyn Seet Ru Suan, 21, Javier Chan, 23, and Zachary Lee, 23. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Inspired by Monopoly Go, the app allows users to play on a monopoly-like board. When their avatar lands on a spot, it triggers a mini-game which tests the users' ability to spot falsehoods. For example, the user may be given two news headlines about an MRT breakdown and be prompted to select a headline from a genuine report. The app came out top among the audience votes. BrainHack also provides a platform for honing industry-relevant skills through repeat engagement. Mr Ravin Nagpal , 18, a third-time participant at BrainHack, has competed in over 90 Capture-the-Flag events since 2021. Even though the Ngee Ann Polytechnic cyber-security student has not won any of the challenges in BrainHack, he said the Capture-the-Flag exercises provide real-world value and have helped him identify vulnerabilities in present-day systems. Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Ravin Nagpal, 18, who was a finalist in the Cyber Defenders Discovery Camp challenge. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Capping off BrainHack 2025 was a showcase that offered an exclusive look at DSTA's defence innovations. It featured a humanoid robot equipped with light detection and ranging sensors which participants could test by trying to evade its sensors while navigating a maze. The immersive exhibits and activities at BrainHack are aimed at sowing the seeds of defence innovation, said DSTA. Mr Zaqy pointed out that many of DSTA's defence engineers started out just like the youth in the audience – joining competitions, attending workshops, and discovering their passion along the way. 'Through BrainHack and other efforts, we hope to inspire more of you to take up the challenge of becoming a defence engineer,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
12-06-2025
- Science
- CNA
DSTA BrainHack 2025: Record 4,300 students join nationwide cybersecurity competition
More than 4,300 students have participated in BrainHack, a nationwide cybersecurity competition. This is the highest turnout yet for the event organised by the Defence Science and Technology Agency. It is part of a broader push to groom potential talent and strengthen Singapore's national security. Since 2019, BrainHack has given youths the chance to try out real-world defence problems that Singapore faces. Nineteen teams emerged as winners in this year's BrainHack. Eugene Chow reports.
