These Mumbai-based teenagers built an Amazon-like delivery robot
What's the story
People often raise alarms over the possibility of machines taking over the world. They claim that robots will be taking over our jobs and fostering wars in a way we have never seen before. However, a group of Mumbai-based teenagers has shown that the development of machines can, in fact, make the world a better place to live in. Here's how.
Robot
Social robot for beating the heat
Inspired by Amazon's fleet of self-driving robots, eight teenagers have designed Jasper, a fully-functional delivery robot. Jasper is remotely-controlled by an operator but can easily stroll around on six wheels for delivering any item of your choice. Just recently, the kids used the bot for serving chilled water bottles and helping Mumbaikars beat the heat during this time of the year.
Development
How the kids developed Jasper
It is difficult to imagine kids building a robot, but these teenagers did it perfectly. They first learned concepts of robotics from SP Robotics Maker Lab and then applied the same to build a fully-functional machine. "It was so exciting to build this robot," team member Ishaan Kamath told The Better India, noting that they also faced a lot of challenges along the way.
Plans
They even plan to make Jasper autonomous
Currently, Jasper is controlled remotely and all of its components, from motors to the battery, rest on the compartment designed for holding delivery items. One just has to press a button to get the product, which makes it very easy to use. However, that's not it; the kids want to make the bot autonomous, making it capable enough for short, safe, and secure deliveries.
Response
Jasper was also presented at Nehru Science Center
The kids not only received an overwhelming response from the public but also got a chance to present Jasper at the Nehru Science Center. "Growing up in Mumbai, all of us have been to the Nehru Science Center to see science exhibits, but Team Jasper Students got this wonderful opportunity to show what we had made," team member Khushi Chaudhry told TBI.