People & Organizations
Assistech Lab
M. Balakrishnan
M. Balakrishnan is a Professor from the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, IIT Delhi. He obtained his B.E.(Hons.) in Electronics & Electrical Engg. from BITS Pilani in 1977 and Ph.D. from EE Dept. IIT Delhi in 1985. He worked as a Scientist in CARE, IIT Delhi from 1977 to 1985 where he was involved in designing and implementing real-time DSP systems. For the last 32 years, he is involved in teaching and research in the areas of digital systems design, electronic design automation and embedded systems. He has supervised 12 Ph.D. students, 3 MSR students, 173 M.Tech/B.Tech projects and published nearly 110 conference and journal papers. Further, he has held visiting positions in universities in Canada, USA and Germany. At IIT Delhi, he has been the Philips Chair Professor, Head of the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Dean of Post Graduate Studies & Research, Deputy Director (Faculty) and Deputy Director (Strategy & Planning). Further, at IIT Delhi, he has initiated a number of programmes/activities to promote research, start-ups as well as outreach to the community. ASSISTECH, a laboratory and research group founded by him along with Prof. P.V.M. Rao (Mech Engg), is involved in developing a number of assistive devices targeted towards mobility and education of the visually impaired. SmartCaneTM is a mobility aid for visually impaired developed by his group which is currently used by thousands of users in India and other low-income countries. He has been a recipient of three National awards, ACM Eugene L Lawler award and very recently IIT Delhi's Life Time award for his work in the disability space.LinkedIn»
P.V.M. Rao
P.V.M. Rao is professor in departments of mechanical engineering and design at IIT Delhi. He is a co-founder of Assistech lab in Khosla school of information technology, which works towards development of assistive technologies for empowerment of visually challenged. As a coordinator of IIT Delhi Design Innovation Center, he is also responsible for initiating and driving multiple programs in design, innovation & entrepreneurship. He obtained his Ph.D from IIT Kanpur. He was a guest researcher to US government's National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), USA multiple times between 1996-2007. He was visiting scientist to Massachusetts Institute of Technology and visiting faculty to Stanford University. He serves in multiple roles as chairman, part-time director and scientific advisor to more than a dozen start-ups. LinkedIn»