Panampatta New UP School to get AI and robotics lab

Panampatta New UP School at Malur in Kannur district is set to emerge as a rural technology hub with the establishment of a state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Lab aimed at introducing primary students and the local community to advanced technology education.

The facility, named the Robotics AI and Innovation Lab (RAIL), is being set up by Dubai-based STEM education startup Unique World Robotics. The lab will provide hands-on training in coding, AI, electronics and robotics using advanced learning kits such as Quarky and Wizbot, along with Pluto drones and a programmable humanoid robot, Bonic Bot. It will also be equipped with 3D printers and 3D pens, enabling students to convert ideas into physical models.

Founder and CEO of Unique World Robotics, Banson Thomas George, said the initiative aims to make high-end technology education accessible to children irrespective of their geographical or social background. The project seeks to ensure equal opportunities for rural students to engage with emerging technologies such as AI and robotics, he said.

School Manager V.K. Sanoj described the lab as a major milestone in the institution’s development, combining international technical expertise with local educational infrastructure to transform the village school into a leading technical learning centre in Kerala.

Headmaster T.P. Ranjith said introducing AI and robotics at the primary level would help cultivate scientific curiosity, confidence and long-term technical literacy among students, preparing them better for future career opportunities.

The global experience of Unique World Robotics, including its role as a major organiser of the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025, is expected to add value to the initiative, with technology experts and international students likely to visit the school for training and mentorship programmes.