Revolutionising Classrooms With AI

In this interview, Satisha Naraharimurthy, Founder and CEO, Roombr, shares the journey behind creating an innovative classroom solution that merges cutting-edge technology with education. He discusses Roombr’s AI-driven platform, partnerships with Intel and Texas Instruments and the company's mission to revolutionise classroom learning by making it more interactive and accessible. Satisha also highlights how Roombr aligns with NEP 2020 and the future goals for expanding their impact globally. 

Roombr is at the forefront of revolutionising classrooms with cutting-edge technology. Could you start by telling us the inspiration behind Roombr and how the idea evolved into a collaboration with Intel and Texas Instruments?

The inspiration behind Roombr stems from a keen observation of how computing hardware is evolving, with a growing trend towards personal devices like mobile phones, which feature smaller screens. While this shift has made technology more portable, it has also limited the potential for immersive, large-scale interaction and learning.

Roombr was born out of the desire to create an immersive, large-format computing experience that could enhance classroom learning by transforming any wall into a life-sized interactive interface, making lessons more dynamic and fun and helping students better retain information and stay actively involved in the learning process.

The vision was to marry the projector with the computer. Texas Instruments, the leaders in projection technology and Intel, the leaders in computing, were the perfect collaborators to bring this idea to life. By integrating Texas Instruments advanced projectors with Intel's powerful computing technology, Roombr has been able to develop an innovative solution that delivers a dynamic and engaging digital classroom environment. This collaboration has enabled Roombr to offer a seamless, interactive experience that enhances teaching and learning on a large scale, effectively revolutionizing how education is delivered in classrooms.

What sets Roombr apart from other smart classroom solutions on the market? How does your patented 'Wall Top Computer' simplify integration for schools?

What sets Roombr apart from other smart classroom solutions is our patented 'Wall Top Computer,' which is the world's first advanced digital classroom system that seamlessly integrates cutting-edge hardware with state-of-the-art software. Unlike traditional setups that rely on multiple devices—creating clutter and complexity—Roombr consolidates all essential functions into a single, streamlined solution. Our Roombr device replaces the need for projectors, computers and other hardware, simplifying the technology infrastructure for schools.

The Roombr Learn App complements this hardware by enhancing the teaching and learning experience, enabling teachers to deliver lessons more effectively, students to learn more efficiently and institutions to improve overall performance. This holistic, all-in-one approach not only simplifies integration but also ensures a more immersive and interactive classroom environment, empowering both teachers and students to thrive. 

What market gap did you identify in the education sector that led to the creation of Roombr and how does your product address that need?

It is often seen that once the class ends, the teaching and learning is often lost. Students retain and capture what they have understood and there is a possibility of other valuable information being missed in the process. As a result, there isn’t a solution to fully capture and extend these experiences beyond the classroom. Roombr was created to address this gap by ensuring that the classroom is never truly 'over.' What is captured in the classroom is available to the students, encouraging anytime, anywhere learning. Roombr enables teachers to record, edit and enrich their lessons by inserting assessments and creating tests, which can then be published for students to access at any time. This makes remedial learning far more effective.

With Roombr, students can revisit classroom content, take tests and submit assignments online, all from the convenience of their devices. Essentially, we bring the classroom into the student’s pocket, ensuring continuous learning and seamless engagement, even after the school day ends. By preserving and enhancing classroom moments, Roombr transforms both teaching effectiveness and student outcomes.

What is your revenue model for Roombr? Do you offer subscription-based pricing, one-time sales, or a hybrid approach for schools and institutions?

Roombr follows a subscription-based revenue model aimed at driving adoption and fostering long-term customer relationships. This approach allows Roombr to better understand and meet customer needs while ensuring users are protected from future technology upgrades. The model provides value to both teachers and students, the key drivers of classroom education, by creating a motivated cohort of users. Additionally, the subscription model enables Roombr to continuously evolve its product to meet the ever-changing demands of its customers.

AI is playing an increasingly prominent role in the future of education. How is Roombr incorporating AI into its platform to enhance learning experiences?

At Roombr, our philosophy around AI is to empower teachers by enhancing their productivity and making teaching more efficient, rather than replacing their role. AI automates learning management, assessment and track the progress of all the students. This allows teachers to focus on what truly matters—teaching.  By leveraging AI, we streamline processes like grading, lesson planning and performance analysis, providing teachers with valuable insights into individual student needs. This personalised approach not only improves teaching efficiency but also tailors the learning experience, ensuring that each student receives the support they need to succeed. In essence, AI in Roombr enhances the teaching experience by simplifying workflows and enabling more meaningful interactions between teachers and students.

Roombr aligns with the NEP 2020 vision by integrating technology into education. How do you see your product helping schools achieve the goals of the NEP?

Roombr aligns seamlessly with the NEP 2020 vision by integrating technology that fosters collaboration, critical thinking and continuous evaluation, which are key goals of the policy. NEP 2020 emphasises the need for a more interactive, student-centric approach to education and Roombr’s digital classroom solution is designed to do just that. Roombr simplifies the use of technology in the classroom, making it accessible for teachers and students alike, while promoting active learning environment where students can collaborate and engage more effectively.

By integrating Roombr, schools can not only enhance the quality of education but also actively work towards the NEP’s broader objective of creating a more holistic and future-ready learning environment. 

Given the rapid pace of digital transformation in education, where do you see Roombr in the next five years? What are your key goals for growth and product innovation?

In the next five years, we foresee Roombr transforming five million classrooms across India and globally, becoming a cornerstone of digital education. Our goal is to continue driving innovation to enhance both the teaching and learning experiences, making education more interactive, efficient and accessible.  We are committed to pushing the boundaries of classroom technology, with a focus on developing cutting-edge solutions that empower teachers and engage students in meaningful ways.

As we expand, we aim to establish Roombr as the leading brand in classroom technology to emerge from India, setting new standards in digital education worldwide.

Mayank Badhwar

BW Reporters The reporter works as Senior Correspondent with BW Businessworld