Inauguration of Tinker On Wheels (TOW) at Hyderabad – A New Era of Learning and Innovation for Young Tinkers!

A Revolutionary Initiative: Tinker On Wheels

TOW is not just a mobile lab; it’s a revolutionary step toward bridging the technology divide that exists in many rural and underserved communities. Designed to transform school grounds into fully equipped AI-STEM labs, Tinker On Wheels brings hands-on learning in cutting-edge fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, and 3D printing directly to students—especially in areas where access to these technologies is scarce.

Our mission is ambitious: to impact 1 million students across India. By taking technology to students who otherwise might never encounter it, we are preparing them for the future, cultivating problem-solving, innovation, and critical thinking skills that will propel them toward success in the 21st century.

The digital divide in India is stark, and the demand for technology professionals is soaring. According to a NASSCOM report, India will face a gap of 1.5 million professionals in AI, ML, and IoT by 2025. TOW is poised to close this gap by inspiring the next generation of tech innovators and equipping them with the tools they need to thrive.

Student Entrepreneurs Shine at ISF 2024

In addition to the TOW launch, students from the Young Tinker Foundation had the chance to showcase their entrepreneurial ventures at ISF’s Junicons exhibition. These brilliant young minds, part of our Young Tinker Spaces (YTS) program, presented their innovative products, many of which have already seen commercial success.

Here’s a look at some of the standout students and their projects:

1. Suryakrish Gottumukkala (Age 10): Suryakrish presented the Smart City Hyderabad project, using Young Tinker’s unique problem-solving formula FATAC (Feel, Align, Think, Act, Check). His project aims to tackle real-world challenges in the city, and his demonstration captivated the audience.

2. Sharada Polisetty (Age 10): Sharada introduced a unique IKEA-style product for building birdhouses, addressing the decline of birds in urban areas due to concrete infrastructure. Her vision is to reconnect urban dwellers with nature by allowing them to construct birdhouses at home.

3. Jagdeesh Ausula (Age 16): Jagdeesh, the founder of Pepro Bags, showcased eco-friendly designer bags made from recycled newspapers. His product attracted immense attention, selling 20 bags and receiving a bulk order for 2,000 more, which he fulfilled within two days! A recipient of a seed grant of INR 1,000 from the Young Tinker Foundation, Jagdeesh’s entrepreneurial spirit is an inspiring example for his peers.

4. Yashaswi Soudhari (Age 15): Yashaswi is the founder of Eco Framers, a startup that creates handmade designer frames for personalized gifting. Her products were a hit at the event, selling out completely. Like Jagdeesh, she received a seed grant of INR 1,000 from the Foundation, which helped her bring her idea to life.

5. Rishikesh Amit Nayak (Age 21): Rishikesh, the founder of Kishan Know, developed a $1 AI tool to detect pest attacks before they occur. His innovation, funded by Intel, has already been implemented in seven villages in Odisha, making a tangible impact on local agriculture.

A Hands-On TOW Demo by Young Innovators

A special moment during the festival was when two of our youngest tinkerers, Suryakrish and Sharada, took the stage to give a live demo of the Tinker On Wheels experience. Visitors were thrilled to see how these young students had mastered the use of AI, robotics, and prototyping tools, and they were inspired by the potential this mobile lab has to revolutionize education in India.