AHSB’s Innovator Aayaan Raj Swan Recognised Nationally for ‘Robot Nurse’ Concept
A seventeen-year-old Aayaan Raj Swan, a Class XII science student at Auckland House School for Boys and originally from Chandigarh, is emerging as a promising young innovator whose curiosity and creativity have already attracted national attention. His idea of a “Robot Nurse” recently earned him recognition under the prestigious INSPIRE Awards – MANAK, an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology that encourages school students to pursue scientific innovation. The project also received a ₹10,000 grant to help him further develop his prototype, marking an important milestone in his early journey as a young technology enthusiast.
Interestingly, the idea behind the Robot Nurse did not emerge from a laboratory or a research facility but from a simple moment of observation during his school’s annual exhibition. When preparations for the exhibition were underway, Aayaan noticed that the computer department had very few project ideas to present. This prompted him to think of something different that could both showcase technological creativity and address a real-world challenge. Around the same time, he had been fascinated by automated service robots used in crowded restaurants in countries such as China and Japan, where machines assist staff in managing large numbers of customers. This observation sparked a thought: if robots could help in busy restaurants, why not use them to assist medical staff in hospitals where the pressure and workload are often far greater?
Reflecting on the realities of hospital environments, Aayaan realized that hospitals frequently face a shortage of nurses and medical staff while dealing with a large influx of patients. Long queues at pharmacy counters and overworked healthcare professionals are common scenes in many hospitals. These observations became the foundation of his project, inspiring him to design a robot that could support nurses and doctors by performing routine tasks and reducing their workload. The concept eventually evolved into the Robot Nurse, a machine designed not only to assist healthcare workers but also to interact with patients in a supportive manner.
The robot developed by Aayaan integrates several functional components that allow it to perform practical tasks in a healthcare setting. Equipped with an infrared (IR) sensor, the robot is capable of reading medical prescriptions and verifying doctor signatures to ensure that medicines are delivered accurately. The machine moves using two motors connected to tracks that enable it to travel through corridors, while a third motor powers a claw mechanism designed to grasp and retrieve objects when required. In addition, the robot is programmed to produce sound alerts whenever a person or object blocks its path, ensuring safe navigation in crowded environments. Aayaan also designed the robot in such a way that it could perform additional functions through different programming codes. With appropriate programming, it could guide patients to specific departments within a hospital, retrieve items, mop floors, or provide basic assistance to patients. With further development and advanced programming, the robot could even help identify basic symptoms such as coughing or migraines and offer preliminary guidance.
While conceptualizing the robot’s movement and appearance was relatively straightforward for Aayaan, the programming process proved to be far more demanding. He had to repeatedly adjust parameters and rewrite the code in order to minimize errors and ensure reliable performance. One of the most complex aspects of the project, according to him, was creating a machine that was both mechanically efficient and emotionally approachable. He wanted the robot to appear friendly and reassuring so that patients would feel comfortable interacting with it, especially during difficult moments in hospitals. Achieving a balance between technical robustness and human warmth was a significant challenge.
During the development process, Aayaan experimented with several technological approaches before settling on a workable solution. Initially, he attempted to use object recognition so that the robot could identify different items automatically. However, the IR sensor struggled to distinguish between objects with similar shapes but slightly different colours or sizes under varying lighting conditions. He then explored the possibility of mapping, where the robot would create and remember a map of its surroundings. This idea had to be abandoned because the processor available for the project lacked the computational capacity required for such complex processing. Eventually, he adopted an object localization approach, in which the robot identifies the position of an object and constructs a path to retrieve it. Although this method also had limitations—especially if an object was moved from its recorded location—it proved to be the most practical solution within the constraints of time and available components. Building a fully functional robot within just a day or two with limited parts was itself a significant challenge that required both improvisation and perseverance.
Aayaan’s interest in robotics extends beyond this particular project. Earlier, he developed a robotic car capable of detecting a specific colour and following it continuously, while also allowing users to switch to different colours when required. He has also participated in robotics competitions with his classmates. One of his recent experiences was competing in Technoxian, where he and a friend designed a robot car to participate in a sumo battle event. Such experiences have further strengthened his passion for robotics and problem-solving.
When Aayaan learned that his Robot Nurse project had been selected for the INSPIRE Awards – MANAK programme, he admits that he was genuinely surprised. He had not initially expected his idea to receive national recognition. The news, however, was received with great enthusiasm by his teachers, school leadership, and family members. His teachers from the computer department encouraged his efforts throughout the exhibition project, while his parents offered valuable suggestions on features that could enhance the robot’s functionality. Their support played an important role in motivating him to refine and complete the project.
Although his project qualified for the State Level Exhibition and Project Competition (SLEPC), Aayaan has decided not to compete at the state level this year. Being in his final year of school, he believes it is important to focus on improving his academic performance before moving on to higher education. At present, he is considering whether to pursue Computer Science or Mechanical Engineering in college, both of which align closely with his growing interest in robotics and technological innovation.
For fellow students who aspire to innovate, Aayaan offers a thoughtful message drawn from his own experience. He believes that innovation does not depend on having the most sophisticated resources or technology, but rather on the courage to experiment and learn from mistakes. Many ideas may fail in their initial stages, and limitations in time, equipment, or knowledge can often force one to rethink and modify an approach. However, every challenge offers an opportunity to learn something new and move one step closer to a workable solution.
Through his curiosity, persistence, and willingness to experiment, Aayaan Raj Swan is demonstrating how young minds can transform simple observations into meaningful technological ideas. His journey from a school exhibition project to national recognition reflects not only his personal dedication but also the growing role of student innovation in addressing real-world challenges. Even as he prepares to complete his school education, his work already hints at a promising future in the world of science and engineering.
