In an interview with TimesTech, Anoop Gautam, Co-Chief Executive Officer of STEMROBO Technologies, shared insights on how early exposure to AI, robotics, and IoT is transforming India’s tech education landscape. With over 4,500 innovation labs and 6 lakh+ student projects, STEMROBO is bridging the gap between theory and practice, nurturing creators, and fueling India’s vision of becoming a global technology powerhouse.
Read the full interview here:
TimesTech: STEMROBO has set up over 4,500 innovation labs and engaged more than 6 lakh students in AI, robotics, and IoT projects. How do you see this scale of early exposure influencing India’s future tech talent pipeline?
Anoop: Early education is always supported as it builds confidence in them by introducing them to modern technologies of AI, robotics, and IoT, which helps them relate the theoretical learning to practical applications. As a leading EdTech company, STEMROBO has already empowered 5000+ schools and 3 million students across India and around the world. Starting early gives a head start to a transition from just users of technology to creators and innovators. This not only helps students be tech savvy but also teaches the important 21st century skills like creativity, collaboration, critical thinking etc. In the long run, this experiential foundation strengthens India’s tech talent pipeline and supports the nation’s goal of becoming a global leader in emerging technologies.
TimesTech: While most edtech innovations are centered around metro cities, STEMROBO has reached schools beyond these regions. What challenges and opportunities have you encountered in scaling innovation to non-metro schools?
Anoop: Schools in smaller towns, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions, face a lot of challenges and problems while using modern technologies. The challenges could be weak network, unskilled teachers, limited access to digital infrastructure etc. these are some of the problems that limits the students in exploring the wonders that STEM education provides. But these problems only open new doors for innovation and inclusivity. By providing affordable, scalable, and easy-to-use STEM solutions, schools can overcome these problems and ensure that the education they provide makes the students prepared for the future. At STEMROBO, we empower even the teachers according to the market trends and the education requirements to make sure that they are well equipped to teach the young generation to take on in the future. This approach spells out equal opportunities for young innovators across India and beyond that.
TimesTech: From your experience with 6 lakh+ student projects, what key insights or patterns have emerged that could guide investors, startups, and policymakers in strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem?
Anoop: The projects of 6 Lakh students have proved that creativity is everywhere, from metro cities to the tier 3 cities. Secondly, if the students are getting the right support and guidance they tend to work harder and they start to actually get involved with technology. Thirdly, the students that practice hands-on learning tend to be better learners as they can remember what they learnt for a longer time.
For investors, startups, and the government, this means making learning tools easy and cheap so every student can use them. Students also need good educators so that they can guide them. If the schools, companies and colleges work together then the kids learn to be confident, curious and ready for the future.
TimesTech: You emphasize teacher training and mentorship as core to STEMROBO’s model. What gaps do you see in India’s current teacher ecosystem when it comes to AI and robotics education?
Anoop: Teachers are the backbone of the education system and so it is very important that we empower them to teach the young innovators to take on the world of tomorrow. The teachers need to be trained in modern technologies like AI, Robotics and emerging technologies so that the gap between exposure and training is nullified. There is little to no customised teaching programs for educators and so it becomes difficult for the teachers to adapt to the digital tools that are aligned with the 21st century learning goals. STEMROBO provides specialised Teachers’ training programs to educate teachers through hands-on learning, continuous learning modules and continuous mentorship that makes the learning process easier.
TimesTech: Beyond infrastructure and labs, how does STEMROBO ensure that students transition from being passive learners to active tech creators capable of solving real-world problems?
Anoop: At STEMROBO, we focus on learning by doing. The students learn the concepts on their own, that is, they design, build and test their own ideas using the D-I-Y kits. They build projects, code their programs and find out solutions to real-life problems. Students learn better through hands-on learning as they get to design, build and test their own ideas using robotics kits, AI tools, and fun projects. This helps them think like creators, not just learners. When they make things with their own hands, they understand how and why things work. We also guide them through mentoring, activities, and competitions, so they stay curious and confident.
TimesTech: Looking ahead, how do you envision STEMROBO contributing to India’s ambition of becoming a global leader in AI, robotics, and emerging technologies over the next decade?
Anoop: In the coming years, STEMROBO aims to be at the heart of India’s journey toward becoming a global leader in AI, robotics, and emerging technologies. Our goal is to ensure that every school whether in a metro city or a small town or tier 2 or tier 3 has equal opportunities in accessing modern technologies like STEM labs, AI learning tools, and hands-on innovation projects. By aligning our initiatives with India’s NEP 2020, we’re helping build a generation of students who can think critically, innovate boldly, and solve real-world problems with purpose. We see a future where every Indian student is not just learning about technology but using it to shape ideas, build solutions, and drive global innovation.
