UP’s new Panampatta School at Malur in Kannur district is set to become a rural technology hub with the establishment of a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics lab aimed at introducing primary school students and the local community to advanced technology education.
Dubbed the Robotics AI and Innovation Lab (RAIL), the facility is being established 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 the Bonic Bot programmable humanoid robot. It will also be equipped with 3D printers and 3D pens to enable students to turn ideas into physical models.
Unique World Robotics founder and CEO Banson Thomas George said the initiative aims to make cutting-edge technology education accessible to children regardless of their geographic or social background. The project seeks to ensure equal opportunities for rural students to engage in new technologies such as AI and robotics, he said.
School principal VK Sanoj described the laboratory as a major milestone in the development of the institution, combining international technical expertise with local educational infrastructure and transforming the village school into a leading technical education center in Kerala.
Principal TP Ranjith said introducing artificial intelligence and robotics at the primary level will help develop scientific curiosity, self-confidence and long-term technical literacy among students and better prepare them for future career opportunities.
Unique World Robotics’ global experience, including its role as lead organizer of the 2025 NASA Space Apps Challenge, is expected to add value to the initiative, as technology professionals and international students are likely to visit the school for training and mentorship programs.
Published – 8 Feb 2026 19:40 IST