From Microfarms to the Moon: A Teen Innovator’s Journey in Robotics

  • Pranav Kumar Redlapalli

A brilliant 13‑year‑old innovator, Pranav, showcases his award‑winning robotics projects from the World Robot Olympiad. He presents TerraSoils, a low‑cost 3D‑printed farming robot that levels soil and maps nutrients for efficient micro‑farming, and Electrostatics, a robotic‑arm system designed to clean harmful lunar dust from rover surfaces. Along the way, he shares insights on iterative design, AI‑assisted modeling, 3D printing, and his maker journey. An inspiring talk from a young engineer pushing the boundaries of robotics and imagination.

Speaker bio

My name is Pranav, and I am currently an 8th-grade student at Tomken Road Middle School in Mississauga, Toronto, Canada. I am a two-time national champion of the World Robotics Olympiad, proudly representing Canada on the international stage. Recently, my team secured 7th place at the WRO competition held in Singapore last month.

My passion lies in robotics, sustainability, and artificial general intelligence, especially in applying these technologies to solve real-world problems. Driven by this passion, I designed and built the Terra Soils robot—a revolutionary solution addressing the challenges of micro-farming. My vision extends beyond this project; I plan to integrate solar energy, advanced crop-sensing technology, and mapping systems into future agricultural robots. By doing so, I aim to deepen my expertise in AI, electronics, and mechanical engineering.

I am dedicated to creating innovative, affordable products that meet the needs of society. This commitment is what motivates my interest in pursuing the IBT (International Business, and Technology) program for high school. The program’s focus aligns perfectly with my goals to develop impactful technologies that benefit the broader community.

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