Saswata Bag
Student Innovator and Founder-Director
Saswata Bag is a Class IX student innovator working across robotics, embedded systems, healthcare engineering, assistive technology, environmental protection, safety systems, artificial intelligence, automation and product development.
He is the Founder-Director of SB.Chetak Innovation, an organisation under BagRIST dedicated to developing practical, affordable and socially relevant technologies. His projects focus on real problems affecting workers, children, persons with disabilities, accident victims and communities exposed to environmental or disaster-related risks.
Early Life and Education
Saswata began his scientific innovation journey in 2022 while studying in Class V. His early interest in science, electronics and model development gradually expanded into practical work involving sensors, microcontrollers, programming, robotics and engineering design.
During his time at Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT Guwahati, he served as the Student In-charge of the Atal Tinkering Lab for approximately three years. This responsibility allowed him to assist with laboratory activities, project development and the practical use of electronic and prototyping resources.
Innovation Journey
Saswata’s work began with basic scientific models and gradually progressed to embedded systems and functional prototypes. He learned to work with Arduino boards, environmental and biomedical sensors, motor drivers, communication modules, displays, electronic circuits and mechanical systems.
His projects generally begin with the identification of a social or safety-related problem. He then studies possible technological approaches, selects suitable components, prepares circuits, writes programs, constructs prototypes and documents the results.
His portfolio includes projects related to coal-mine safety, accident detection, mobility assistance, environmental monitoring, child health, waste management, access control, cyclone analysis, emergency water filtration and autonomous robotics.
Major Projects
CHETAK
One of Saswata’s most recognised innovations is CHETAK, short for Coal Mine Hazard Evaluation and Tracking Assessment Kit. It was developed as an unmanned mobile system intended to enter potentially hazardous underground areas before human workers.
The project combines gas sensing, environmental monitoring, a night-vision camera, selected worker-health observations, data logging, GSM alerts and two-way communication. Its purpose is to provide early information about hazardous conditions and reduce unnecessary human exposure.
CHETAK received recognition through science exhibitions, environmental programmes and innovation events. It was also featured in the Eastern Chronicle for its proposed contribution to coal-mine safety.
Smart Safety Helmet
The Smart Safety Helmet is another major project developed by Saswata. It uses motion sensing to identify a possible accident and combines this with pulse-rate and blood-oxygen monitoring.
In an emergency, the proposed system determines the location and sends an alert through GSM communication. The project was supported under the DST INSPIRE MANAK Scheme and received the Scientific Model Presentation Award at Research and Industrial Conclave—Integration 2024 at IIT Guwahati.
Leadership and Collaboration
Saswata has participated in individual and team-based scientific activities. As a team leader at the Science and Technology Hackathon of the India International Science Festival 2024, he guided the development and presentation of an AI and machine-learning-based cyclone-pattern detection project.
He has also gained practical experience through project work and an internship related to autonomous systems, programming, PCB design, 3D modelling, 3D printing and product development.
Awards and Recognition
- First Prize in the Disaster Management category at the Rajya Stariya Bal Vaigyanik Pradarshani 2024 for CHETAK, followed by national-level selection.
- First Prize at the Environmental Hackathon 2024 organised by the Centre for the Environment, IIT Guwahati.
- Special Prize in the School Student Category at the ENVIRONMENT 2024 International Conference at IIT Guwahati.
- Scientific Model Presentation Award at Research and Industrial Conclave—Integration 2024, IIT Guwahati, for the Smart Safety Helmet.
- Theme-Wise Best Team Award at the Science and Technology Hackathon of the India International Science Festival 2024.
- Selection of the EMG-controlled wheelchair project for evaluation under the 14th National Biennial Competition of the National Innovation Foundation.
- Funding under the DST INSPIRE MANAK Scheme for the Smart Safety Helmet.
- Seed-funding support for the development of CHETAK 2.0.
- Project-funding support for the development of BRIST-HYDRA.
Technical Interests and Skills
Social Objective
A central objective of Saswata’s work is to develop technologies that are practical, understandable and affordable. His projects frequently focus on communities and individuals who may not have easy access to advanced commercial systems.
His long-term interest is in developing systems that can improve safety, independence, health awareness, accessibility and emergency response. He is particularly interested in technologies for hazardous workers, persons with disabilities, children, farmers, accident victims and people affected by disasters.
Vision
Saswata aspires to contribute to a safer, healthier, inclusive, self-reliant and technologically advanced India. Through continued learning, experimentation and responsible innovation, he hopes to contribute to the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat.