Bhubaneswar, Nov. 2: A robotics expert has launched an online portal for students who are interested in robotics but have found no avenue to learn about the subject.

Sakyasingha Mahapatra, founder of Sak Robotic Lab, has launched gyanx.com to help students clear their doubts concerning robotics. The courses are available for free. On visiting the website, students can also learn about the organisations that sell robot components.

Be it a light follower robot, shadow follower robot, manual robot, fire avoiding robot, obstacle avoiding robot or a self balancing robot, students will be able to make their own robots, said Mahapatra.

"Our main aim is to help students from remote towns in the state and outside who despite having an interest in robotics have no one to guide them," Mahapatra added.

"Even if students manage to learn from online videos, they have no idea where to get the components to make robots. Although there are some components available online, they are not shipped to the interior parts of the state," Mahapatra said.

At present, five different courses are being offered. The courses include AVR (automation, vision and robotics), printed circuit board design boards, WaterBotix, Bread Botix and AutoBotix. The courses have been designed to help students make mechanical wheeled robots and remotes to control them. The audio-visual sessions will help the students understand concepts such as resistors, capacitors, transistors, wheels and DC boards.

"Students can clear all their doubts and queries through the online question-and-answer sections," said Mohapatra.

"We held a robotics workshop last year during which we were taught about robot making. It was very interesting but I could not get in touch with the coordinators after they left. I think this platform will be very helpful for students like us," said Amiya Sahoo.

"The science teachers in schools are busy with classes. They rarely have the time to research such subjects. This website will helpful for such teachers as well," said Bipin Bikari Seth, a teacher at a private school.

Mohapatra said the students could either get their own components or source the kits through the portal. "These DIY (do-it-yourself) kits will be very handy for students," he said.