GES 2017: 'Made in India' bot, Mitra greets Modi, Ivanka
The ongoing Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Hyderabad marked a significant milestone for India in robotics: when PM Narendra Modi and Ivanka Trump walked on to the stage, they were greeted by Mitra, an indigenous humanoid. There was another bot outside the dais to interact with the audience. But Mitra is just one of the many attractions of the GES 2017.
There were two robots at the GES 2017
Mitra was created by Bengaluru-based Invento Robotics. Founder Balaji Viswanathan and a 14-member team supervised it. It can process up to 1,500 phrases. Apart from chips, everything else has been manufactured domestically. Mitra uses facial and voice recognition to know when someone is talking to it. At GES, Mitra asked Modi and Ivanka to "press the button for the US flag on the stage".
The youngest entrepreneur at GES is just 13!
The youngest entrepreneur at GES is Australia-based 13-year-old student Hamish Finlayson. According to his father, Hamish's journey started when he was eight. He has already made five apps and is working on the sixth. His apps are available on Apple as well as Google's stores and reach users in 54 countries. At the GES, Hamish wants to raise awareness about sea turtles and autism.
All about the GES 2017
Co-hosted by India and US, the eighth edition of GES is being organized by NITI Aayog, the External Affairs Ministry and AP government. It aims to bring together budding entrepreneurs and global business leaders. 1,500 entrepreneurs from 170 countries are participating. Many of the 350-strong US delegation are Indian-Americans. This time, 52.5% participants are women, the first time women are in majority at GES.
'With women's empowerment, India could grow by $150bn'
Speaking at the GES inauguration, Ivanka lauded the booming technology scene in Hyderabad. "Your tech centers may even outshine your world-famous Biryani," she said. She said women's empowerment is essential for any country's progress. "If India closes the labor-force gender gap by half, your economy could grow by over $150bn in three years." She also praised Modi's "transformational change" from a tea-seller to PM.
'GES 2017 represents US' and India's commitment to entrepreneurship'
Modi spoke on similar lines, acknowledging the numerous women who have left their mark in space programs, judiciary, sports and other fields. With the removal of redundant laws and boost to Digital India, the country has progressed on the ease of doing business. He ended by asking entrepreneurs to "make in India, invest in India, for India and for the world".
