Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

IIT-M wunderkinds steal the show

CHENNAI: Even as an automated unmanned aircraft designed by students of IIT-Madras took to the skies amid tremendous applause, two curious four-year-olds V. Chiru and Deepan asked in unison, “Is this a bird.”

The question reflected the seed of innovation planted in those young minds and seemed to be a harbinger of success of the two-day ‘Open House 2008’ held as part of SHAASTRA celebrations of Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

The display of scientific talent by IIT-students on Saturday traced a thin line that separated science and magic.

A bicycle in motion without a rider may seem magical for some. But it is science for these IITians.

A group of students led by Ravi Teja, an IIT-student, successfully demonstrated a self-balancing bicycle. “This technology can be extended to unicycle robots with advantages of many degrees of freedom. This may revolutionise future transportation,” said Ravi Teja.

“Our success in designing a self-balancing bicycle will fuel our interest in robotics. Our country is lagging behind in robotics and we will strive for excellence in the field,” he said, adding that he wants to start a company to addresses the need for cutting-edge research in robotics.

Many technological success stories of the departments of IIT-Madras and their impact on society were showcased at the Open House.

It provided a sample of some of the research projects in cutting-edge technology in IIT-Chennai. Thousands of students from various schools interacted with IIT students and research scholars and got a glimpse of the state-of-the-art laboratories of the institution .

“The professors give us autonomy and do not interfere in our initiatives on innovation. However, they constantly monitor the research developments and help us contribute optimally with our out-of-the-box ideas,” said Ravikanth Andhavarapu, a final-year aerospace engineering student.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

IIT-M wunderkinds steal the show
Ramadoss’ allegation baseless: Veeraswami
Immunology will help in the treatment of rheumatic disorders, says expert
Volunteers honoured for making senior citizens’ lives dignified
Caregivers lobby for the rights of mentally ill
Sojourn of a chemical engineer as advocate for heritage conservation
Rotary award for bank chairman
Durga Puja celebrations begin
Keeping kids safe
Jayalalithaa to unveil MGR statue
Call for paradigm shift in the energy policy
AIADMK backs MDMK agitation
They deliver unkindest cut
CII to host seminar on regional cinema
Chief Minister should talk to Prime Minister: Ramadoss
Rural cuisine stall lends more variety to food carnival
Stop genocide of Sri Lankan Tamils, says Karunanidhi
Immunology can help cure rheumatic disorders, say experts
Kuchipudi exponent honoured
Elucidating media’s role in mental health
Dogs’ day out; praises and prizes in
This form of messaging remains unbeatable
Power shutdown
Police taking trouble to ensure trouble-free festival shopping
Shoppers rush in where safety is uncertain
Dental health camp
Three injured as bus runs out of control
Festival market waiting and customers watching city pulse
Pensioners’ plea
Mobile blood banks across the State planned
Breast cancer workshop
Mayor inspects treatment
Marshland mars health, complain residents
Four persons held for cheating
Jewellery stolen
Safe drinking water facilities inaugurated
Threat to Karunanidhi’s family
House burgled and set ablaze
Renovated booth opened
Childhood stinks with illiteracy
Co-optex drive covers Karnataka too
DMDK’s scheme for visually challenged
Chennai Today

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu