The robotic rescue system designed by Kabir Goyal, a 13th-grade student from the British School of Muscat, gained attention following devastating floods in Nepal. These floods occurred on August 26, just five days after the system was presented to engineers at the National Innovation Center (NIC) in Kathmandu.
Rescue Challenges in Critical Conditions
This disaster highlights the importance of innovative technologies in rescue operations. With roads and bridges destroyed, villages became isolated from one another, and rescue teams faced difficulties searching for victims amid mud and unstable terrain. In the midst of this, Kabir Goyal sought solutions to these challenges.
Read more: Establishment of FAA Certification for Boeing 737-10 in Washington D.C.
Functionality of the Rescue System
Kabir's system divides rescue tasks between two robots. A drone flies over the crisis area, maps the terrain, identifies obstacles, and calculates the safest route. Then, a ground robot automatically follows this path to reach victims and deliver necessary resources. Kabir notes about this system, "Intelligence is in the air and execution is on the ground."
Kabir independently built this prototype and utilized a Raspberry Pi on the drone for real-time vision and planning. He also employed visual markers to track the position and direction of the ground robot and designed a custom algorithm to prevent sharp turns and unnecessary stops along these paths.
In the summer of 2026, Kabir worked as a research intern at NIC under Mr. Dipendra Basnet and adapted his system for the mountainous terrains of Nepal. He developed a pipeline that converts drone images into a three-dimensional model of the terrain and generates optimal routes.
Recognition of Kabir in Nepal
Kabir was also honored at an event titled "Young Innovators Festival" organized by the Rotary Club in Kathmandu on August 18. The club president, Ambassador Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dakal, praised his work, stating, "Great ideas do not belong to any specific country, age, or background."
Kabir hopes to return to Nepal and develop more joint projects. His goal with these projects goes beyond any single invention, believing that access to practical robotics education should determine who builds the future.
Read more: End of 'Sur Medathon' with Cyber Awareness Videos Produced by Kuwaiti Youth · Dr. Suwarnim Wagle: Close Relations Between Nepal and India Based on Long-standing Collaborations
