A Class VII student, B. Sai Karthik, from Telangana’s Zilla Parishad Government High School in Nizamabad district, has secured a patent for his innovative smart parking system. The system aims to address parking challenges in urban areas by efficiently locating available parking spaces.
Karthik’s invention utilizes ultrasonic sensors installed in each parking slot. These sensors detect vehicle presence and transmit data to a central server via a microcontroller. This data is then relayed to a mobile application and a display board, informing users about available parking spaces in real-time.
The project, conceived during a science fair, was mentored by his teacher, P. Venkatesh. It distinguishes itself from existing systems by its cost-effectiveness, utilizing readily available and affordable components. The estimated cost for implementing the system in a single parking slot is around ₹500, significantly lower than commercially available solutions.
Karthik filed for the patent in December 2023 and received approval from the Indian Patent Office on March 18, 2024. The patent is registered under his name and his teacher’s guidance.
The innovation has garnered praise from district officials and educators, highlighting the potential for young students to contribute to practical solutions for societal problems. The system is designed to reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and time wasted searching for parking.
Karthik envisions expanding the system’s capabilities to include features like automated payment options and integration with navigation apps. He hopes his invention will be implemented in public parking areas to improve urban mobility. The project was supported by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and the Telangana State Innovation Cell (TSIC).
