Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Gizmos for modern living

Amateur B B Manohar's wonders with a small multipurpose remote

PHOTO: K. Ganesan.

JUST A PRESS COMFORTABLE After hard work

With every passing day, some new gizmo or a techno-aid is invented. One such recent invention is from a local amateur consultant, B.B. Manohar. It is a small remote control designed to operate various functions within a car and ergonomically does not distract the driver. Infact, the wonder remote can also operate various home appliances like mixer-grinder, air conditioners, refrigerators, tube lights and fans.

Mr. Manohar bought an ordinary remote and manipulated it according to his need. He devised the Radio Frequency (RF) receiver that is installed in his car.

Mini remote control

The remote works well within 300 feet if the place is devoid of metal pots as they interfere and produce electrical noise. Even if there are disturbances, the remote work perfectly within 100 feet.

Mr.Manohar uses an imported 12V battery for his unique remote. On hot and sunny days, he can switch on the air conditioner and start the engine before boarding the car. Similarly, if the owner wants to have a look inside the car without opening the door, it is possible to switch on the lights inside the car. The same remote which has four buttons - A, B, C and D -- can be used to operate the parking lamp, wiper and adjust the volume of the tape-recorder.

Multipurpose

"The remote can be useful for buses," says Mr.Manohar as the conductor can take control of all activities inside the bus without the help of the driver.

The remote does not collide with other remote users as it is designed with exclusive passwords. The chip with particular password can receive only the respective signals. It works similar to mobile phones. Only the calls forwarded to a particular number can be received, he explains.

The car-alone remote costs around Rs.2,500 while house-hold appliances alone comes around Rs.1500 and the combination of both comes around to Rs.3000.

Be it a house under construction, or already constructed house, it is very easy to install the RF receiver, says Mr. Manohar and adds that even an ordinary electrician can complete the necessary work if given a perfect diagram.

Self-educated

Mr. Manohar describes himself as "a self-educated person" since he acquired all knowledge by reading books.

His father, B.M. Bageerathan, a marine engineer, let him proceed his life as per his wishes. After completing SSLC, he pursued his interest in learning technical things. At 24, he did a diploma course in Electrical and Electronics engineering.

In 1984, when he decided to gain practical knowledge, he started working on various models. Four years later, he started a project institution, where he guided engineering students, both BEs and MEs except civil engineering, to complete the projects within the stipulated time ranging between two days and one month.

On an average, he earns Rs.5000 to Rs.15,000 as a consultant and project guide for industrial project training courses and electronic hardware and software. Students come to him with different ideas and they work with Mr. Manohar to give shape to their ideas. In 2004, Mr.Manohar started a career institute that offers job-oriented courses.

This self-taught master of electrical and electronics has above 3000 projects to his credit including attending to EB transformer problems even before it fails through cell phones, developing a battery operated electrical car for handicapped persons and a "pick and place robot".

At present, he is working on a nail detector for cars, VIP signal controlling system, and monitoring house or industry with robots or through internet from anywhere in the world.

It is perhaps now time for a safe and secure journey on the roads without any hassle or worry.

S.S.KAVITHA

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