What began as a teenager’s after-school hobby in a government school in Bulandshahr has now turned into a story that has captured national attention. Aditya Kumar, a 17-year-old class-12 student at Shiv Charan Inter College, has created an AI-powered teaching robot named Sophie despite never having taken a robotics class and coming from a family with limited means.
Sophie introduces herself in a viral ANI video, saying, “I am an AI teacher robot. My name is Sophie, and I was invented by Aditya. I teach at Shivcharan Inter-college, Bulandshahr… Yes, I can properly teach students.” The robot responds to questions in Hindi, explains topics from different school subjects, and even solves simple maths problems like 100 + 92.
Aditya says he built Sophie using an LLM chipset, the same category of technology used by major robotics companies. “I have used an LLM chipset to build this robot, which is also used by big companies that make robots. It can clear students’ doubts… For now, she can only speak. But we are designing it so it can write as well soon,” he explained. According to him, Sophie can serve as a substitute teacher whenever a class is left unattended.
What makes his journey remarkable is the environment in which he created her. While most students rushed home after school, Aditya stayed behind and tinkered with discarded wires, broken electronics, and whatever scraps he could find. His fascination began years earlier after watching his uncle create small robots. Without access to formal training or professional tools, he slowly taught himself how to build machines.
Father Borrows Money to Fuel Son’s Robotics Dream
His father, who works as a compounder and earns around Rs 15,000 a month, even borrowed money from friends so Aditya could continue working on Sophie. Despite these challenges, the family supported his dream wholeheartedly.
As Sophie started gaining attention online, social media users had varied reactions. Some praised the boy’s imaginative spirit, while others pointed out that the robot looked more like a mannequin fitted with an AI system. One user commented, “Bro that’s not what a robot is it’s a mannequin.” Another joked, “Bro Aditya, sabse pehle toh woh mannequin Gupta ji ke dukaan mein wapas kar ke aao.”
Despite this criticism, many viewers remained impressed by the student’s ambition and technical imagination.
Aditya believes projects like his could be more common if students had access to proper research spaces. “There should be a lab in every district so students can come there and do research,” he said, stressing the need for innovation-friendly environments, especially in rural areas.
Young Inventor Aims for the Stars
Sophie is not his first creation, but he considers her his most meaningful one. His hope is that AI-based teaching aids can help schools that regularly struggle with staff shortages.
Even with his newfound recognition and the excitement surrounding Sophie, Aditya stays grounded. His dream reaches far beyond robotics. “I want to become an astronaut,” he shared softly.
From building robots out of scrap parts to designing an AI teacher that now stands in front of classrooms, Aditya’s story is a reminder that brilliance often begins quietly waiting only for encouragement and opportunity to shine.
