My name is Abhinn Kaushik. I am 15 years old and am pursuing my IB diploma studies at Le Bocage International School. I am part of FIRST Global’s official Robotics Team Mauritius.

Since the age of 12, I have been intrigued by the field of robotics. It all started from a small Dr Mady’s electronic set for beginners, from where I was introduced to the concept of electronics. Later, I could implement this knowledge I gained into robotics via the Arduino. I was shocked to see the potential of this microcontroller and how it could be used to induce change in our day-to-day lives.

I have had a fair share of tinkering with different electronic components and brainstorming circuits that could help solve persistent global issues. Even though I have been working with the robotics concept only for a few years, I can already see the potential this field has to induce a positive change in our society to make it more equitable.

Even in Mauritius, there is tremendous scope for societal development as work could be done to make the lives of specific communities more equitable. For example, I recently developed an intelligent app-based walking cane for the blind community in Mauritius to help them in their locomotive activities. I am also liaising with other NGOs to bring my product to the correct audience. This is just one of the numerous communities in the nation that could benefit from technology.

Abhinn Kaushik, 15 years old, Le Bocage International School

Prominent NGOs such as YUVA are also constantly working towards achieving goals such as societal development by empowering today’s youth. Courtesy of YUVA, we will be able to represent the country in the FIRST Global Challenge and hence, have an indispensable opportunity to make the country proud. With the amount of progress we have achieved so far as a team, I am confident that we will be able to perform well in the competition, and I believe that with such bright minds working together to create the best possible product, we will enable ourselves to do our best so far. We have broken the ice among ourselves and worked great as a team, and I am sure that we will be able to reach new heights this year!

Team Mauritius will be in Geneva, Switzerland, from 13-16 October 2022. More than 180 countries will come together face-to-face in the spirit of global purpose, unity, and collaboration. There is no more appropriate place for this year’s FIRST Global Challenge than Geneva, the “Capital of Peace”, where nations gather to solve diplomatic challenges and where scientific innovation flourishes. The official theme is yet to be announced.