NIT Rourkela secures patent for low-cost AI social robot capable of natural human interaction

In a significant leap for indigenous robotics and human–machine interaction research, the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela has secured a patent for an AI-powered social robot capable of understanding natural language, recognising human emotions, and engaging in real-time conversation. The innovation integrates verbal, emotional, and gesture-based communication, offering a human-like interface at a cost far lower than comparable international systems.

The patent (Patent No. 574589; Application No. 202531022107) covers a robotic system conceived to interact naturally with users across homes, classrooms, workplaces, hospitals, and community settings. Equipped with AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), and embedded vision capabilities, the robot can process everyday speech, follow commands, answer questions, and hold conversations beyond pre-programmed responses.

Emotion and Gesture Recognition

A key feature of the robot is its ability to interpret facial expressions—such as happiness, neutrality, or sadness—and provide empathetic responses. The system also detects simple gestures like waving or raising a hand, making it accessible for children, elderly users, and individuals who rely more on gestures than spoken instructions.

The robot’s communication engine runs on Raspberry Pi hardware, with LLMs analysing voice and text inputs to generate contextual replies. Responses are delivered through natural-sounding speech using Google Text-to-Speech. A wheel-based navigation system and built-in distance sensors enable safe movement in crowded environments.

Research Recognition

The underlying research has been published in Elsevier’s Computers and Electrical Engineering journal. The paper is authored by Dr. Anup Nandy, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering; Dr. Asim Kumar Naskar, Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering; research scholar Sougatamoy Biswas; and M. Tech graduate Rahul Saw.

Speaking on the development, Dr. Nandy said the system represents a significant step toward self-reliance in intelligent robotics: “The indigenously developed robotic system aligns with the Government of India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. It uniquely integrates gesture, emotion, speech, and LLM-based conversational abilities within a cost-effective platform suitable for Indian contexts.”

Broad Application Potential

According to researchers, the robot could assist elderly users at home by recognising gestures and emotional cues, support classroom learning through interactive explanations, and enhance user experience in hospitals and public spaces by offering friendly navigation assistance.

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The robot is estimated to cost between Rs. 80,000 and Rs. 90,000 depending on production scale, making it significantly more affordable than similar global offerings.

Next Steps

The NIT Rourkela team plans to refine the system’s interaction capabilities and initiate pilot testing in schools, hospitals, and community environments. The institute is also seeking collaborations with organisations working in robotics, AI, and assistive technologies to move towards commercial deployment.