Science and Innovation Gallery Opens for Public at Rashtrapati Bhavan

New Delhi: You can now click a selfie with a 3D image of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the backdrop or see 'Clumsy', a robotic dog perform Yoga, at a Science and Innovation Gallery inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday.

The Science and Innovation Gallery 'Navachara Kaksh' (room of new ideas) is part of the President's favourite project of promoting new talent and innovators in the country and, after today's inauguration, it will be part of the Rashtrapati Bhavan's guided tour.

It has been set up with the assistance of global chip maker Intel.

Clumsy, designed by 17-year Arsh Shah Dilbagi from Panipat, resembles a real dog and has 16 Servo Motors in its innards that enable it to perform motor actions like walking and squatting.

Clumsy also has sensors that allow it to see, touch, hear and see through its micro-controller board, which takes inputs from these sensors and controls the robotic dog's movements.

Arsh Shah has won awards at an international science competition.

Also on display are virtual tabla, key-less piano, 3D printer, a 'talking wall' and a 'planet wall'. "Visitors can also click selfies 3D-style with the President's House as a backdrop and email it," Intel India President Kumud Srinivasan said.

Navachara Kaksh will be open for visitors on weekends (Friday-Sunday) as part of the Rashtrapati Bhavan tour.

"Most of these displays have been developed by youngsters in India. It is Intel's endevour to promote skill development and innovation among youngsters across the globe and India. For us it is an important part of that effort," she said.

While Intel will initially manage the operations, the museum will eventually be handed over to the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

This is the first such museum that Intel has set up apart from the one at its headquarters in the US. It has innovation corners across locations, including India.

With the 'Virtual Tabla', one can play the drums and hear its rhythmic sound without touching the instrument at all.

Created by a school student at a makeathon, the virtual tabla has integrated sensors that detect hand movements and play a corresponding sound with the help of microprocessors.

Similarly, the 'Key-less Piano' is a sensor-activated device that creates music seemingly out of thin air.

The '3D printer', developed by a Bangalore-based firm, has also been put on display. The device enables making a three dimensional solid object from a digital file by laying out successive layers of material until the entire object is created.

The 'Talking Wall' and 'Planet Wall' are programmed to inform and encourage students towards innovation using an interactive audio-visual display.

These give information about national science fairs where students can showcase their talent and also features "young geniuses" who have earned international recognition through their ground-breaking research.

Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee expressed delight at the opening of the gallery, which he said will encourage experiential learning among children.

"I am delighted that 'Navachara', a Science and Innovation Gallery, will now be open for visitors to Rashtrapati Bhavan. I am sure this will go a long way in encouraging experiential learning among children and inspire them to innovate.  The 'smart' devices on display in the Gallery will help kindle the spirit of exploration and inculcate a scientific temper in in tomorrow's innovators," he said.