IITs – Sources Of Technological Innovations
It’s known to the world that Indian Institute of Technology is the most prestigious institute, the reason being not only the faculty and infrastructure but also the fact that the students who manage to gain admission into an IIT are the elite few who can be called the cream of the country. These students not only increase their own value by graduating from an IIT, but also help the country with new innovations, either as part of their academic projects or out of their own will to do something extra.
Recently a prototype of a Refreshable Braille Display (RBD) was developed by students of IIT-Delhi to assist visually challenged persons as part of their final year project. The device, having the look of iPad of A4 size, has a surface of pins which aid the visually challenged people to recognize text, graphics and figures. This innovation can make the RBDs to be available at an affordable rate in the market which are currently imported from the UK, and available at a cost between Rs 3 and Rs 5 lakh.
Another useful invention from the students of IIT-Kanpur, under the guidance of a professor, is a device to monitor wear and tear of railway tracks. This matchbox-sized device, which is already under trial, can play a major role in helping the railways to prevent fatal accidents caused due to derailment of trains. The faults in tracks can be checked and corrected on time, especially during bad weather conditions.
Students of IIT-Kharagpur recently demonstrated more than half-a-dozen of robots to school-going and college students who were awe struck by the robots that can do a number of things -- a bridge-laying robot, a digging robot, a shooting robot, a ball-following robot and line-following robots. The IIT students not only explained the concepts of robotics to students of schools and various universities and colleges, but also answered a number of queries on how to design these next generation machines. The aim of the students is to create more awareness about robotics and get more and more teams to participate in the robotic competition at the annual fest of IIT Kharagpur.
Many other technological innovations -- including impressive race cars, 3D gaming and robot wars -- are displayed across different IITs during their annual Tech fests which are open to outsiders and future innovators. Summer camps are also conducted at some IITs for students from other institutions.
Apart from these creations and awareness programs, the student bodies of the IITs are also planning to launch a common website and a newsletter whose prime focus would be on sharing various researches and academic materials. The website would serve as a platform for uploading and sharing the students’ research works, as well as, for the outsiders to get a glimpse into the campus life and culture of different IITs. It would also help to avoid duplication of research. The IIT alumni are also taking active part in this initiative.
All these initiatives and many more add to the glory of the IITs and make them stand apart for their technological advancement as well the good will to share the ideas with the rest of the world.