The "Smart Eye" project conceptualised by three Indian boys in Kuwait caught the attention at the prestigious “Makerfaire Kuwait” which began here today at Mishref Exhibition Ground.
Maker Faire, a flag ship event started at United States is a prestigious family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. The Second edition of MakerFaire Kuwait began here at Mishref International Fair grounds Hall number 5 from Tuesday, 6th to Saturday, 10th February. MakerFaire Kuwait is a celebration of skilful talented people in Kuwait. The participating projects ranges from traditionally crafted projects to newly high tech robotics and 3D printers all under one roof.
The Smart Eye project developed by Sriram Karthik Akella, Esakkivel Esakkiraja and Aaron John Thomas, all 10th standard students at FAIPS-DPS, with the primary objective of trying to help the blind people with their mobility is the lone Indian participants at this prestigious event. "It all started when we participated in the Shaastrotsav 2017 organised by IIK and NSS College of Engineering, Palakkad Alumni Kuwait chapter last December," explained the boys. "One of the organisers of Maker Faire visited Shaastrtsav to explore the Indian talents in Kuwait and he was attracted to our project there. They told us to register for Maker Fare and after a long selection procedure and meetings, we got a call finally from the organisers informing that our project is selected," they told.
The smart eye will help blind and visually impaired people live their lives just like anyone else. It is an assistive device for the visually impaired people to reduce their dependence on others in terms of mobility. “Shaastrotsav was a very good platform for us to showcase this idea to the public. We got many feedbacks from the visitors during that event. That helped us a lot to fine tune this project for this Maker Faire. Our teachers at FAIPS DPS also encouraged us with their valuable support", Sreeram Karthik, Esakkiraja and Aaron said.
Maker Faire Kuwait is part of the Kuwait Expo 2018 and isheld under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State Of Kuwait. Maker Faire includes Industrial Engineering Projects, Scientific, Technical, Educational and Leisure Projects mainly from University students and Sponsoring companies. The Exhibition will host several technical and trade workshops on Soldering Workshop, 3D Printing, Robotics Workshop (Ebot8), 3D Drawing Workshop, Laser Cutting and Trade Workshop for Children. The event is held at Mishref International fair grounds from Tuesday 6th to Saturday 10th February 2018. The expo is open to public from 9.30am to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm on every day except Friday. On Friday, the expo is open from 4pm to 10pm only.