In this interview, we explore Cornea Techfusion's innovative approach to enhancing classroom experiences through cutting-edge technology with Ankit Garg, Director of Cornea. Cornea, a startup with over six years of experience in digital and display technologies, has introduced solutions like interactive displays, smart lecterns, and AI-driven tools to improve student engagement and learning outcomes.
Ankit provides insights into how Cornea integrates virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) into traditional classrooms, making learning more interactive, efficient, and accessible, especially in rural areas.
Excerpts:
DQ: Can you provide an overview of Cornea Techfusion Classroom and how it is enhancing the learning experience for students?
Ankit: Cornea Techfusion is essentially the fusion of advanced technology into traditional classrooms. At Cornea, we started about six and a half years ago, initially focusing on digital applications. Over time, we’ve expanded to meet the growing demand in various fields, including display technology.
Cornea Techfusion integrates multiple trends in technology like interactive displays, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and audiovisual augmentation. The goal is to make learning more engaging, improve student retention, and enhance the overall teaching experience. By doing so, we ensure that students get a more immersive learning environment that supports better educational outcomes.
DQ: What key features does the Cornea Smart Lecturer have, and how does it ease classroom content management?
Ankit: The Cornea Smart Lecturer is a sleek, lightweight device designed specifically for classroom use. Traditional lecterns are usually bulky and more suited for auditoriums, but our product aims to be user-friendly in smaller settings.
This smart lectern allows teachers to face students directly while engaging with content on screen. The built-in microphone eliminates the need for external audio equipment, and it has HDMI input for easy connectivity. Teachers can write on the lectern and project content directly onto interactive displays, allowing for real-time annotation. It’s a highly flexible solution that keeps teachers focused on student engagement, and it integrates well with existing classroom technology.
DQ: You’ve demonstrated VR and AR technologies in the classroom. What role does AI play in your system, and how is it integrated?
Ankit: Artificial intelligence plays a significant role in our Cornea Techfusion setup, especially within our whiteboard software. Using AI technology like ChatGPT, teachers can get real-time assistance while giving lectures. For example, if a student asks a question, the AI can generate a quick, accurate response, allowing teachers to answer more effectively.
We also use AI for lesson planning, helping educators devise lectures in real time. Additionally, AI can assist with creating visualizations that would be difficult to demonstrate using traditional teaching methods. The key role of AI here is to supplement the teaching process and help make complex concepts easier to grasp for students.
DQ: How does your video conferencing solution differ from others in the market?
Ankit: Our video conferencing solution is integrated into the overall Cornea ecosystem, making it a seamless part of the classroom setup. Unlike standalone devices, our system allows remote participants to access lectures even after they’ve been completed. We also use facial and image recognition technology for teacher and student tracking, which enables better engagement during online or hybrid lessons.
Additionally, our system incorporates advanced noise-cancellation technology and offers a range of tools, including 10x, 20x, and 30x zoom options. These features ensure high-quality images and audio, improving the overall online learning experience.
DQ: What future innovations and technologies are you planning to stay ahead in this evolving tech landscape?
Ankit: Our focus is on two primary objectives: affordability and cutting-edge technology. We want to make advanced technology accessible to more people, especially in rural areas. We believe that technology shouldn’t just remain in labs—it should be in the hands of students and educators.
Our vision is to make education process-centric, where technology aids the teaching process rather than replacing the teacher. For example, in areas with a shortage of quality teachers, technology can help fill the gap by providing students with access to high-quality educational tools. We believe that by skilling India with these technologies, we can make a positive impact on the future of education.
DQ: You’ve mentioned your panels are Android-based. Why choose Android over other platforms like iOS?
Ankit: The educational panels we offer are based on Android 13, providing access to native applications like Gmail, Google Meet, and the Play Store. While some may ask why not iOS, the fact is that iOS isn’t widely used in educational panels globally. Android provides more flexibility and a broader range of application options that suit the needs of educational institutions.
We’ve also included an option to install Windows OPS for users who prefer a Windows-based system, offering even greater versatility.
DQ: Can you elaborate on your corporate solution and how it caters to different industries?
Ankit: Our corporate solution is an all-in-one product designed for meeting rooms and conference setups. It includes built-in microphones, speakers, wireless presentation capabilities, and video conferencing tools. This product simplifies everything from content presentation to video meetings and digital whiteboarding.
The display is completely touch-based, allowing participants to interact with the content directly onscreen. It also supports integration with popular platforms like Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, making it easy to connect with remote participants.
DQ: What about distribution? Are these products available across India?
Ankit: Yes, we have a robust distribution network across India, including national and regional distributors. We have strong partnerships in regions like Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa, and the southern states. While we don’t sell directly to end customers, our partners and distributors ensure that our products are widely available and supported.