For those of you who are reading this article, I’d rather say “Mark your calendars” because the countdown for KRG has commenced and we barely have five more days to go. We are all aware as to how the week can just whiz past when you are awaiting for the most important weekend of the trimester. Back at Kidobotikz, it’s business as usual. Being the fact that today is sunday and there’s no holiday in the week before KRG begins, it was a jam packed afternoon over here. “Jam packed” in the literal sense as there has only been standing room for every student with all of them racing against time to get their robots ready. The makerspace is infact so cramped that students have had to borrow spaces in the classrooms to work on their robots. Meanwhile, amidst all the beehive of activity, I manage to find my target for the day. I spot a reticent chap who’s hard at work on fixing his robot that bears an uncanny resemblance to an SUV. More than him, his robot’s dynamic design captivates me. I decide to engage him in a conversation to satiate my own curiosity.
Hey Sriram! Why don’t you temme a bit about yourself and your path to Kidobotikz?
I am T.K. Vishnu. I study in class 8 of Sri Krish International School, Kundrathur. Back here at Kidobotikz, I commenced my Advanced level recently and am now progressing through it with quite a bit of fervour. I joined here in when I was in class 7. I found Kidobotikz while I was scouring the internet for a robotics kit that I could use. Interestingly, I found more than what I was looking for.
Interesting. So, how does it feel to be a robotics enthusiast here at Kidobotikz?
Robotics for me is a highly passionate hobby. I grew up loving mechanics and mechanical designs, so robotics represents the next logical step for me to explore. So, I took it up here at Kidobotikz. One thing that stumped here was programming. I wasn’t expecting to see “programming” turn up in my courses. So, when that happened, I was quite baffled. You usually don’t see mid-schoolers learn programming. But, thanks to the Kidobotikz curriculum, I have been able to quite comfortably gain my foothold in the concepts of programming.
So, I take to it that you are here for KRG? Is this your first KRG or have you already participated in it before?
This is infact my 3rd KRG. I participated in the two preceding editions and had a forgettable experience. I participated in a lot of events, but wasn’t quite able to stand out in performance. This time, I am participating with a resolve to win.
That’s unfortunate! So, what were the events you participated in the previous editions?
I participated in several events. The ones that I can actually remember are Robo Race, Robo Sumo, Robo Kabbadi, Line Tracer. But this time, I have enrolled in events that I am confident of putting up a more than decent performance.
Interesting! What are the events you are participating in this edition?
Well I have enrolled myself in AutoTransbot, Pick ‘n’ Place and a project expo. For the project expo I have developed an Automatic Air-filter that can be retrofitted atop street lamps and monitor the air quality of the street. But, the event that I am hoping to leave a lasting impact on is the Robo Sumo. I was sooo close the last time. This time I hope to win it.
Could you let me know what went wrong for you the last time at Robo Sumo and how have you planned for it this time?
Well, the last time my robot employed a Johnson gear motor. This let to the robot having a sub optimal torque and couldn’t exert its thrust quite well upon the opponent bots. I have made up for it this time by employing Square Geared motors which have a much better torque output. I also am going to employ powered forklifts on the forward section of my robots so that I can shock the opponent by toppling it over.
Impressive! My best wishes for you! To conclude our chat, I’d like to know your future plans and ambitions when you graduate from Kidobotikz and high school.
Well, I have no concrete plans yet. I don’t have any idea as to which college to join as well. But, if there’s one thing I can tell you with certainty, it’s that I will take up robotics. Most importantly bots that can take part in battles. It’s something I ponder on a lot about and I see myself working towards the same. Other than that, I plan to take up everything as it comes by.
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