Having lost his mother to Covid-19, Ravi Ramu Patel, overcame a series of odds, including monetary, to create a translator robot programmed to translate 14 languages, winning a district-level competition for an IoT-based home automation model syncing smart home appliances on voice commands.
Son of a swimming pool cleaner earning a mere Rs. 7,000/- per month, Ravi was introduced to robotics in 10th standard.
“I’ve always been fascinated by technology and innovations. My interest in the subject began with basic concepts like deriving energy from the sun. I was introduced to robotics in Standard 10th, after attending a workshop on the subject by Salaam Bombay Foundation. Excited at the opportunity to learn about innovation, I enrolled into their programme.” Ravi said. He is a student of Narayanrao Sanas Vidyalay, Vadgaon Khurd.
From a model house with cardboard and LEDs to various smartphone-based games, Ravi worked on several projects individually and under the guidance of mentors. His latest innovation is TORO, a translator robot. “TORO can translate in 14 languages. But its specialty is that you don’t have to select the language for translation. It can detect the language through the voice on its own and replies in the desired language,” he said.
Ravi said, “I make use of components obtained from other devices. I buy these items from second-hand electronic markets or mobile shops. Despite financial restraints, my father is very supportive and tries to fulfil all my needs.”
Source: Times of India
