Hubballi :
When Anup Vijapur, 26, was in his final year of mechanical engineering studies, he received three job offers. However, hepatitis affected his progress. He had to attend the examination, carrying a glucose bottle. He failed in one subject, but fortunately cleared it after applying for revaluation.
When Anup failed in the exam, it was Nanopix CEO Sasisekar Krish who recruited him and encouraged him to develop his innovative ideas into products. Thus started Anup’s success story. He now heads the innovation department of Nanopix, a startup. Anup aimed at social entrepreneurship when he was in college. Now he is realizing his dreams, emerging as an innovator to simplify the lives of farmers.
Recently, the youngster got three patents for his innovation. These innovations pertain to grading of cashew nuts. While a normal grading machine can probably classify cashew nut into three qualities, Anup three patents are more than a notch better. With his technology of installation of camera, pick and place mechanism for irregular object and conveyor and grading machine, one can classify cashew nuts into seven categories.
Though Anup pursued BE (mechanical) at Proudhadeveraya Institute of Technology, Hospet, he is well versed in computers and technology. Speaking to TOI, Anup said that he got opportunity to materialize his ideas at Nanopix. He has special words of gratitude towards Krish. “We have already got three international patents for our products. If we get all applications approved, it will be a pride for our company and a tier-2 city like Hubballi,” he said.
There is more in store as his 28 applications are waiting for patent. Anup said that he developing a technology to read the face of drivers. “To prevent road accidents, we are developing a camera that can recognize facial expressions of drivers. If the driver is sleepy, it will warn him immediately. If the vehicle is connected with some networks, corporations or companies, it will alert their control room so that the backend can intervene and avoid possible accidents,” he said.
Pramod Tonapi, public relation officer at Nanopix, said that Anup’s innovation has given a boost to the startup. “He is very passionate about science and even teaches engineering students at a private study centre during his leisure time. His innovations are going to change the food processing industry in the coming days. Because of his innovation, we have been able to apply for patent for 28 more products,” he said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Times of India / News Home> City> Hubballi / by Sangamesh Menasinakai, TNN / October 21st, 2015