Amity students create AI device for early oral cancer detection

A group of seven BTech students from Amity University in Lucknow has developed a new AI-based device called ‘Mukta’ that can detect oral cancer early. The students say the device will help oncologists at the Command Hospital in Lucknow. The prototype has already been tested and received positive feedback. The device costs about Rs 7,000 to make. The team recently won the best startup award at the Startup Summit 2.0 in Prayagraj, which came with a prize of Rs 1 lakh. Their project also ranked 7th in a health hackathon earlier this year and took first place in an AI competition at Amity University Noida. The inventors include Saurabh, Isha, Amaan, Juhi, Shreya, Adarsh, and Piyus, all in their final year of BTech. They have worked on this device for the past year under the guidance of their mentors, which include a faculty member and an oncologist from the armed forces. Saurabh Kumar, one of the inventors, explained that the device takes pictures of a patient's mouth to create a database for early cancer detection. The team is currently strengthening this database through trials with more patients. They are also reaching out to other hospitals in addition to the Army Hospital for more trials. In addition, students at the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow have created a chatbot called Vernacular Business Bots for small business owners. This chatbot works on WhatsApp and can communicate in local languages. It helps shopkeepers keep track of their inventory and offers AI-based service to address customer needs. The startup received the second prize at the same summit.