From Recycled Printers to the Court: The Vietnamese Teacher Revolutionizing Badminton Training

In the classrooms and gymnasiums of Hai Phong, Vietnam, the intersection of physical education and grassroots engineering is producing a game-changer for student-athletes. Nguyen Huu Chien, a veteran educator at Bat Trang Secondary School in the An Truong commune, has spent nearly three decades dedicated to his students. But while most teachers stick to the playbook, Chien decided to build a better one—literally.

Driven by a passion for technology and a desire to elevate his students’ performance, Chien has developed a sophisticated badminton training machine that turns the solitary grind of practice into a precision science. By blending mechanical engineering with a deep understanding of the sport, Chien is proving that high-level athletic development doesn’t require a corporate budget; sometimes, it just requires a few old photocopiers and a lot of ingenuity.

Engineering the Perfect Shot

For any badminton player, the challenge of training alone is the lack of a consistent, reactive partner. To master the game, an athlete must be able to handle various trajectories and speeds without the shuttlecock constantly hitting the floor. Chien’s invention solves this by providing a continuous stream of shuttlecocks, allowing players to maintain a rally indefinitely until their muscle memory takes over.

The machine isn’t just a simple launcher. Chien meticulously designed the system to simulate real-game scenarios. The device offers different levels of technical training, specifically targeting three critical aspects of the game: high shots, deep shots, and the delicate drop shots that often decide a match. By adjusting the speed and angle, the machine forces players to adapt their footwork and racket timing in real-time.

(Quick Tip: For those unfamiliar with the terminology, a ‘drop shot’ is a finesse move where the shuttlecock is hit softly to fall just over the net. Training these requires extreme precision, which is why a programmable machine is so valuable compared to random hitting.)

The Art of the ‘Scrap Heap’ Build

What makes Chien’s badminton training machine particularly remarkable is its origin story. Rather than sourcing expensive, pre-fabricated industrial parts, the teacher turned to second-hand shops and discarded electronics. The “brains” and “brawn” of the machine are powered by DC electric motors salvaged from old printers and photocopiers.

The chassis of the machine reflects a similar spirit of resourcefulness. Chien utilized a mix of iron cages, alumex, plastic pipes, and moka to construct a durable yet lightweight frame. While the internal components were scavenged, Chien didn’t sacrifice aesthetics; he focused on a sleek, modern design to ensure the equipment looked professional and functioned reliably in a school environment.

This approach to “upcycling” technology serves a dual purpose. It keeps the cost of production low—making the technology accessible to underfunded schools—and it provides a living example to his students that innovation is about solving problems with the tools available, not just the tools you can afford.

Recognition and Impact in Hai Phong

The sporting community in Hai Phong has taken notice. In 2025, Chien’s innovation earned him second prize at the 3rd Hai Phong City Trade Union, Workers, and Employees Technical Innovation Competition. The award recognizes not only the technical achievement of the machine but its practical application in improving the physical literacy of youth in the region.

At Bat Trang Secondary School, the machine has become a staple of the physical education curriculum. Students are no longer limited by the number of partners available for a drill; they can now engage in high-repetition training that would typically be reserved for professional academies. By removing the “down time” spent picking up shuttlecocks, Chien has effectively increased the intensity and efficiency of every practice session.

The Broader Implications for Grassroots Sports

Chien’s work highlights a growing trend in global sports: the democratization of training technology. For decades, “smart” training equipment was the exclusive domain of Olympic committees and wealthy professional clubs. However, as the cost of basic electronics drops and the “maker movement” gains traction, educators like Chien are bridging the gap.

By integrating technology into the physical education syllabus, Bat Trang Secondary School is doing more than just teaching badminton. They are teaching students how to analyze a problem, prototype a solution, and iterate based on results. The machine is as much a lesson in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) as This proves a lesson in athletics.

For the athletes, the psychological benefit is just as significant as the physical one. The ability to fail, adjust, and succeed in a controlled environment builds a level of confidence that is difficult to replicate in a standard gym class. When these students eventually step onto a competitive court, the speed of the game feels slower because they have already faced the precision of Chien’s machine.

As the 2026 sporting calendar progresses, the story of Nguyen Huu Chien serves as a reminder that the most impactful innovations often come from those who are closest to the students. Through a combination of 30 years of teaching experience and a relentless curiosity for how things work, Chien has turned the scrap heap into a gold mine for the next generation of Vietnamese badminton players.

For more updates on grassroots sports innovation and athletic development, stay tuned to Archysport. We will continue to track the progress of the technical innovation competitions in Hai Phong as they unveil new tools for the next generation of athletes.

What do you think about using recycled tech in sports training? Let us know in the comments or share this story with a coach who loves to innovate.