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New Indian Express
31-07-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Teen scientists' humanoid ELSA to guide you rightly
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: What if robots could teach students or walk amid them as their understanding peers? This thought once felt like a distant dream. The students of Saraswathi Vidyalaya in Thiruvananthapuram have developed an AI-powered humanoid, that can navigate students in the school and even teach them. Named after a Disney character, ELSA was launched by music director M Jayachandran at the school on Saturday. The 4.5-ft-tall humanoid was the result of the hardwork of eight scientifically-spirited students—Vaibhav M, Krishnanunni Vidhu, Karthik Nair, Rishinath P R, Anamika Visakh, Narayani Sandeep, Avani Anand Kurup, and Arathi S P. The teenagers, who worked overtime after their academics, collaborated with Kollam-based Techosa Robotics to build ELSA. 'We just helped the students when they hit roadblocks. All the work, from ideation to execution, was done by them,' Techosa Robotics CEO Sam H Sivan said, adding that the humanoid could be the first of its kind to be developed by students from Kerala. All textbook contents have been fed into ELSA. The humanoid can now teach students any content from the syllabus, and even direct a visitor to the school to the right place or person as per their needs. 'The first plan was to build a humanoid, which will revolutionise the teaching process,' said Vaibhav from Class 9, who mostly handled the Python programming part of ELSA. He further said that their elaborate plans were later refined to the current one due to various challenges. However, the young scientist said that the humanoid can never replace their beloved teachers. 'Even our teachers find it difficult to handle students in class sometimes. So do I need to say how a robot fares?' Vaibhav smiled. Karthik from Plus-One, who oversaw the mechanical part of the humanoid, said that everything, including component assembling for the humanoid, was done by the students. The entire process took the students less than a year to complete. Currently exhibited in the Robotics Lab of the school, ELSA, which has tyres attached to it for free movement, can be deployed to attend to visitors for big events like inter-school programmes, a teacher at the school said. The school is also considering age-appropriate content regulation at the next stage of the humanoid. Any additions to this can be done by a few changes in the programming, explained the teen scientists.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From instant 50,000 cash prize to getting cheered by M Jayachandran, Mridula Varier, and Vaikkom Vijayalakshmi: Here's everything about 'Pattile Tharam'
Malayalam television is introducing Pattile Tharam, a new music show premiering on May 17th, that celebrates talent without eliminations or scoring. Participants can win up to ₹50,000 instantly based on their performance, judged by M Jayachandran, Mridula Varier, and Vaikkom Vijayalakshmi. Airing weekends at 9 PM, the show promises heartwarming musical moments and second chances. Malayalam television is set to launch a refreshing twist to the traditional music reality show format with its latest offering, Pattile Tharam . Premiering on Saturday, May 17, this music show promises to spotlight musical talents from across the state and beyond—minus the usual stress of eliminations, scoring, or finales. What makes Pattile Tharam stand out is its unique format: participants who impress the judges with their performance can instantly win up to ₹50,000 as a cash prize. The show is purely performance-driven and focuses on celebrating talent without the usual trappings of competition. The judging panel includes some of Malayalam music's most celebrated names—renowned music director M Jayachandran , popular playback singer Mridula Varier , and the uniquely gifted Vaikkom Vijayalakshmi . The show marks a significant moment for Vaikkom Vijayalakshmi, as it's her first-ever appearance as a judge on a Malayalam television show. The promos of Pattile Tharam have already created a buzz on social media. One teaser features a woman, long yearning for a chance to perform, taking the stage and leaving the judges stunned with her soul-stirring voice. Another promo showcases a dynamic father-son duo electrifying the set with a power-packed performance, proving that talent knows no age or boundaries. Airing every Saturday and Sunday at 9 PM, Pattile Tharam promises to be a heartwarming celebration of music, talent, and second chances.
