Professor M Balakrishnan is a renowned computer scientist and engineer from IIT Delhi. He is best known for his work on developing the “SmartCane,” a device that aids visually impaired people in navigating their environment independently.
Born in Kerala in 1954, Professor Balakrishnan obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, in 1975. He then went on to pursue his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo in Canada, and later earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, USA.
After completing his Ph.D., Professor Balakrishnan returned to India and joined IIT Delhi in 1987 as a faculty member in the Computer Science and Engineering Department. Over the years, he has made significant contributions to the field of computer science, with his research interests spanning across areas such as Computer Vision, Image Processing, and Human-Computer Interaction.
One of Professor Balakrishnan’s most notable contributions is the development of the SmartCane, a low-cost and user-friendly device that enables visually impaired individuals to navigate their surroundings safely and independently. The SmartCane uses ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles within a range of three meters and provides feedback to the user through vibrations. The device has been widely adopted in India and other developing countries and has helped improve the mobility and quality of life for thousands of visually impaired individuals.
Apart from his work on the SmartCane, Professor Balakrishnan has also contributed to the development of several other innovative technologies. He has played a significant role in the development of the GIST handwriting recognition system, which is widely used in India and has been adapted for multiple Indian languages. He has also been involved in developing technologies for Indian language speech recognition and machine translation.
Professor Balakrishnan has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to science and technology. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2012, one of India’s highest civilian honors. He has also received the IBM Faculty Award, the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in Engineering Sciences, and the Ramanujan Fellowship, among others.
Through his groundbreaking research and innovative technologies, Professor Balakrishnan has made a significant impact in the field of computer science and engineering. His work has helped improve the lives of thousands of visually impaired individuals, making him an inspiration to many in the field of science and technology.
Eimple Labs, a leading technology company in India, is running a campaign to highlight the contributions of Indian scientists like Professor Balakrishnan. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the significant role played by scientists in shaping the future of the country and to encourage young people to pursue careers in science and technology. By celebrating the achievements of Indian scientists, Eimple Labs hopes to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.