Karnataka's First AI Teacher Robot 'Iris' Launched in Udupi Government School
In a groundbreaking move for public education, a government primary school in rural Udupi has introduced an AI-powered teacher robot, marking what is reported as the first such initiative in a government school in Karnataka. The Govt Higher Primary School at Vandse officially launched 'Iris', an AI-enabled voice assistant, on Saturday, designed to support classroom teaching and foster interactive learning environments.
Iris: A New Era in Classroom Assistance
Standing over five feet tall, Iris is engineered to familiarize students with artificial intelligence while complementing traditional instruction methods. Uday Kumar Shetty, secretary of the Shri Mookambika Charitable Trust, emphasized that Iris is not intended to replace human teachers. "The idea is to help students from a remote government school experience AI-driven learning," he explained to TOI. This initiative follows a similar introduction of an AI robot in a school in Kerala earlier in 2024.
Technical Specifications and Development
The development of Iris involved key technical features:
- Developer: Maker Labs
- Technology: Robotics and generative AI
- Interface: Android-based application
- Key Features: Interactive learning modules
- Hardware: Intel processor with a co-processor for movement
- Project Cost: Rs 3.5 lakh
- Funding: Contributions from alumni and supporters via a WhatsApp group
School's Remarkable Turnaround Story
The launch of Iris reflects a broader transformation for the 111-year-old school. Enrollment had plummeted from around 800 to just 89 by 2015, with no admissions to class 1 for two consecutive years prior, raising serious concerns about closure. In response, community members formed a trust, led by Krishnamurthy Manja Maranakatte, which adopted the school to revitalize it.
Since then, student strength has surged to 334. The school introduced English-medium education in 2016, received official approval in 2019, and now boasts modern facilities including a computer lab, projectors in every classroom, and a smart interactive board installed five years ago.
Additional Initiatives and Events
On the same Saturday as Iris's launch, the school inaugurated a 'Balavana' built at a cost of Rs 4 lakh, with Rs 2.8 lakh funded by the zilla panchayat. The event also featured the school's annual science fest and Rainbow Fest, showcasing student projects across seven subjects, highlighting a renewed focus on holistic and innovative education.
This initiative underscores a growing trend in integrating advanced technology into rural education systems, aiming to bridge gaps and inspire future generations through hands-on AI exposure.
