Mind-controlled drone, electronic scooter and robots are key attractions at IIT-B’s TechFest

Come Friday, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay will display Puzzlebox Orbit, a drone controlled by human neuro senses, as part of an exhibition at its annual technology extravaganza — TechFest.

Ever watched an X-Men movie and wondered what it would be like to be able to move objects just by using your mind like Charles Xavier, more commonly known as Professor X? Here’s your chance to observe telekinesis happen in real life.

At the exhibition, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will display small scale models of its rocket launcher. (HT)

Come Friday, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay will display Puzzlebox Orbit, a drone controlled by human neuro senses, as part of an exhibition at its annual technology extravaganza — TechFest. At the three-day festival, spectators can watch the drone lift objects and move around without pressing any button or movement of a joystick. Just think and it will happen.

The exhibition remains the biggest attraction of TechFest. This year, in addition to the mind-controlled drone, IIT-B will also put on display a whole range of new, seemingly quirky, technological innovations from across the world. This includes another drone that mimics living objects, an electronic scooter that weighs only 4kg and a wide variety of robots.

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These robots mimic biological creatures and hence can be used to study them closely. “Our aim is to introduce the latest technology to the people and give them a first experience of it. The drones are examples of what can be done with technology in daily lives,” said Ashwin Gohte, who heads the exhibition at TechFest.

Buoyed by the successful launch of its microsatellite Pratham, IIT-B has named the theme of this year’s TechFest as ‘A Space Expedition’. At the exhibition, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will display small scale models of its rocket launcher. Data sent by Pratham will be on display in the exhibition tent.

“The ISRO scientists will explain the mechanics of rocket launch and ejection of satellites,” said Gohte.

Billed as the largest science and technology festival in Asia, TechFest boasts a footfall of more than 1,65,000 people. Apart from exhibition, the festival also hosts workshops, talks by scientists and academicians and many technical competitions.