Droids and drones at IIT-B’s tech fest this week

One can get a close look at how India launches its satellites, as the ISRO will bring scaled-down models of its launch vehicles and satellites used for Chandrayaan, the Mars Orbiter Mission and others.

IIT Bombay

BB-8, the droid of Star Wars fame, will be in town this week. A working prototype of the droid, which first appeared in last year’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is one of the technological marvels to be exhibited at the Indian Institute of Technology’s Techfest.

The prototype, prepared by students of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University in Russia, can be maneuvered through an application. It will be a part of the exhibition during the fest to be held between December 16 and 18.

While the fest will also host competitions and lectures, the exhibition has proved to be a major crowd pleaser in the past. With a theme of Space Expedition, the exhibition, open to all, will give visitors a peek into innovations in the field of space research.

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One can get a close look at how India launches its satellites, as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will bring scaled-down models of its launch vehicles and satellites used for Chandrayaan, the Mars Orbiter Mission and others.

“If it gets too technical, scientists from ISRO will explain the workings of these launch vehicles and satellites in simple terms,” said Ashwin Gohte, a third-year chemical engineering student and the exhibition manager.

Gohte said the other big attraction are drones. The exhibition will bring together technologies from various colleges from around the world, and a team from Switzerland will showcase morphofunctional drones — the ones that can mimic biological creatures.

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Another exhibit likely to be a hit is Puzzlebox Orbit, a mind-controlled drone from the United States, said Gohte. Visitors can have a go at the drone, which can be controlled by thought. It was developed with an aim to help paralysed patients communicate better.

Among other marvels are the bionic hands, also from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. “There will be two at the exhibition — a realistic bionic hand that can perform day-to-day functions and a mechanical one that can perform specialised tasks such as lifting weight and gripping,” said Gohte, adding these were the most advanced technology in prosthesis so far.

Last year, the fest had drawn a footfall of over 1,65,000. “This year, we have tried to bring in concepts that have applications in real life. This will help the audience connect,” said Gohte. Apart from the exhibition, there are around 20 competitions both on and off the campus. An auto show is also on the cards.

Students of the institute will take the opportunity to showcase their research and development activities, highlighting some of the recent achievements. A Formula One racing car and an underwater vehicle built by IIT-B students will be on display. Visitors will also get a peek into the data received from Pratham, Mumbai’s first student satellite launched in September.