At the crossroads of technology and compassion, IIT Kanpur has introduced “Little Nao,” a humanoid robot that is slowly transforming the way children with autism interact with the world. This initiative is not merely a scientific experiment—it is a powerful example of how robotics can extend beyond laboratories to touch human lives meaningfully.
For the past 17 years, its deputy director, Prof. Brajbhushan, has been researching autism and special education issues in great detail. He noticed that these kids had a stronger bond with inanimate items and machines than they do with actual people. He was motivated to do a fresh experiment by this idea. He began this project with the help of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and selected the Nao robot in collaboration with researcher Vartika and Professor Bishakh Bhattacharya.
NAO has earned this nickname because of its versatility, adaptability, and long-standing influence in the field of social robotics. Unlike industrial robots designed solely for repetitive tasks, NAO interacts like a human companion. It can walk, talk, gesture, and even recognize faces and emotions. This blend of movement, voice, and emotional responsiveness makes it a pioneer in humanoid robotics—hence the affectionate title, “the father of all robots.”
At IIT Kanpur, NAO’s role is further elevated because it is not just performing tasks but becoming a teacher, friend, and therapist for children with special needs.
While NAO is currently focused on autism therapy, its applications extend to education, healthcare training, elderly care, and human–robot collaboration studies. IIT Kanpur’s initiative signals a larger movement where India is not just adopting global robotics but also localizing it for its own unique societal challenges.
In a world where machines are often feared as replacements for human connection, IIT Kanpur’s innovation tells a different story: robots can, in fact, nurture humanity.
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