The field of robotics is witnessing some interesting changes with the emergence of AI and machine learning. We already have machine intelligence automating tasks like answering to customers, automating deliveries, etc and further work is going on building humanoids, or robots which mimic humans. Witnessing these changes and working in the exciting field of machine learning and robotics is Priyanka Das, whose work in underwater robotics demonstrates the potential of accessible robotic solutions. Das, who spearheaded the development of budget-friendly underwater ROVs during her undergraduate studies in 2019, has tried to bridge the gap between sophisticated robotics and cost-effective implementation. The primary concern was not just creating functional underwater robots but also making them accessible and efficient to a wide range of tech enthusiasts who want to make the robot themselves to explore underwater. When talking about making knowledge accessible to a wide audience she has authored papers like “Challenges in Designing Motors for Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles: A Focus on Hydrodynamics” (2019), which addresses crucial technical challenges in the field like addressing the problem of controlling the robot within the diverse conditions of the water environment. Additionally, her work on “Design and Fabrication of a low cost Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle for underwater exploration”, gives us a detailed explanation of ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) aimed at inspection and surveillance tasks such as monitoring underwater structures, pipelines, and fishery cages. The ROV is constructed using PVC pipes and plastic housings to resist underwater conditions. It also contains 12V DC motors and a camera and is controlled via Raspberry Pi using an SSH terminal. The details of the machine building and the suggestions for further improvements, provide a comprehensive guide in building a machine underwater robot of one’s own. Das’s ROV design stands out for its cost-effectiveness without compromising functionality, making underwater exploration more accessible to researchers and institutions with limited resources. Her work was recognized by a scholarship from the University of Cincinnati College for her Master’s program, recognizing her potential to contribute to the field of robotics. As the captain of the women’s badminton team and as a student representative for the electrical batch, Das was active in her college. As a student representative for the electrical batch, she had always advocated for innovative approaches to engineering education and the democratization of technologies. Her experience in this role helped shape her understanding of the interaction between technology and people. Having worked in the field of robotics for some time when asked about the field of robotics, Das identifies several trends and opportunities that are already happening in the field of robotics. ” Advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensor integrationenable robots to perform increasingly complex tasks with precision and autonomy.” She continues,” From changing healthcare with surgical robots and assistive devices to enhancing manufacturing processes through automation, these innovations bridge gaps across industries.” She also emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary research, combining engineering principles with data science and human-centered design to create comprehensive and intelligent robotic systems. As the robotics environment continues to evolve, according to Das, it is positioned to address global challenges, such as ageing populations, environmental sustainability, and disaster response, making it a force that can influence the direction that human and technological interaction can take. When asked about the current trends, she talks about the following trends. First, the integration of AI and machine learning. AI and machine learning are enhancing robots’ abilities to perform complex tasks independently. For eg- Google’s Brian project was developed so that they could function independently, learn new skills and share information through cloud robotics, allowing for collective learning and adaptation. Then she also talks about soft robots and collaborative robots. Collaborative robots are meant to make the work of humans easier and safer, especially in the workforce via their precision machine arms and soft robots are meant to mimic the features of humans, with the aim to handle delicate tasks and give a human touch. Further, we already have Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) to manoeuvre objects and take care of delivering objects. There is also research going on, for buildingintuitive interfaces and communication methods, including voice and gesture recognition, to enhance cooperation between algorithms and humans. As robotics technology continues to evolve, Das remains hopeful that advancement in tech can shape the future and the current of the human world, where it can be an aid to humans. As the field of robotics develops, one can look forward to the increasing possibilities of robot’s capabilities. {Categories} _Category: Takes{/Categories} {URL}https://techbullion.com/shaping-the-future-of-robotics-through-advanced-engineering-and-innovation-a-conversation-with-priyanka-das/{/URL} {Author}James Andrew{/Author} {Image}https://techbullion.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot_2024-12-25-20-06-53-83_a1b1bbe5f63d5b96c1a0f87c197ebfae.jpg{/Image} {Keywords}Tech News,and Innovation: A Conversation with Priyanka Das,Shaping the Future of Robotics through Advanced Engineering{/Keywords} {Source}POV{/Source} {Thumb}https://techbullion.com/techbullion.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot_2024-12-25-20-06-53-83_a1b1bbe5f63d5b96c1a0f87c197ebfae.jpg{/Thumb}