Karnataka teacher Akshay Mashelkar wanted to make education more interactive for children in his village, and so he built Shiksha, a humanoid robot that imparts education to children under Class 4.

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A new way to learn

Born and raised in the village of Sirsi in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district, Akshay Mashelkar grew up in a teaching household. His desire to revolutionize the education system led him to create Shiksha, a humanoid robot dedicated to making learning more engaging and fun for students.

As a professor in a college in Sirsi and with a background in Physics, Akshay identified the lack of modern teaching methods in rural schools. This became more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when schools shifted online, highlighting the absence of technological tools in education, especially in Tier-2 and -3 cities.

After a comprehensive one and a half years of research, Akshay unveiled Shiksha in 2022. This humanoid robot is designed to teach various subjects up to Class 4 in regional languages. By incorporating innovative teaching methods, Shiksha aims to bridge the gap between urban and rural educational resources.

A mix of technology and good ol’ jugaad

Building Shiksha required an investment of nearly Rs 2 lakh, funded by Akshay’s personal savings. The robot blends technology with resourcefulness, as Akshay implemented cost-cutting measures like using cricket stumps for the robot’s arms instead of expensive materials.

Shiksha’s teaching capabilities include subjects like rhymes, days of the week, names of shapes, English alphabets, and mathematical concepts. The robot operates through programmed cards, engaging students with questions, poems, and trivia.

Having visited over 25 schools in the Uttar Kannada district, Shiksha has garnered positive feedback from both students and teachers. Its interactive approach not only enhances learning but also alleviates the burden on educators in government schools with limited staff.

Akshay’s vision extends beyond Shiksha; he aims to nurture young robotics enthusiasts by providing free learning opportunities at his research center. By optimizing costs and seeking support from various sources, Akshay hopes to make Shiksha more affordable and accessible to rural schools across Karnataka.

If you’re interested in learning more about Akshay’s research center or supporting his initiative, you can contact him at 74832 76508.

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