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Engineering student designs `pick-and-place' robot

Sandhya Soman

S. Sudarshan gained inspiration from a visit to the IIT-M robotics laboratory Sudarshan was inspired by a visit to the IIT-M robotics lab

INNOVATIVE MOVE: Engineering student S. Sudarshan with the prototype of the robot he designed. — Photo: N. Sridharan

CHENNAI: Want to move blocks, parcels? Engineering student S. Sudarshan recommends using the `pick-and-place' robot that he designed with parts he picked up from Ritchie Street, loads of enthusiasm and a passion for robotics.

He says he was "inspired" to create something after he visited the robotics laboratory at IIT Madras as a fresh engineering student from SRM Easwari Engineering College.

Sudarshan says that he was advised by his cousin to do something different, maybe come up with a cost-effective robot.

After chancing upon the electronics trainers' kit and a motor with a low rotation per minute on Ritchie Street, he set about creating a prototype.

"Usually, robots are operated using electronic motors. Mine works on the electrical principle. And, the motor is one that is used in the air conditioner grill swing operation," says Sudarshan.

This electronics engineering student's prototype won the first prize at an inter-collegiate robotics competition held at Alpha Arts and Science College recently.

By then he had changed his manually operated robot to one with a computer interface, giving the robot better precision during operations.

"I never planned. But, after seeing the work, the college staff and, later, a visiting industrialist encouraged my efforts."

He wrote a computer programme based on an article in an electronic magazine with help from a faculty member.

Sudarshan says he is now working with the help of college authorities to create a six-foot model of his prototype that could be used in an industrial setting, particularly hazardous environments. And, is trying to gain an entry as a participant in the International Robot Olympiad 2007 to be held in Korea.

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