Tejas Agarwal: Making Train Rides Smoother and Safer for Everyone
Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Hi! It’s me, Spiffy, the interplanetary journalist reporting from Planet Earth with the latest scoop on entrepreneurs making a difference for all of us around the world! Today’s rockstar is Tejas Agarwal, founder and CEO of Sahay AI!
Spiffy: Welcome Tejas. Let’s jump right in. Can you tell me what challenge Sahay AI is addressing?
Tejas: Thanks for having me, Spiffy. I am on a mission to make train rides smoother and safer for everyone. Imagine tiny robots, like detectives, exploring subway tracks with their smart artificial intelligence (AI) tools. They can see things we can't, like tiny cracks or things out of place, and they tell us what needs fixing. This way, we can make repairs before anything goes wrong, keeping your subway rides on time and without any hiccups. It's like giving the subway tracks a health check-up, ensuring they're always in top shape for your journey!
Spiffy: That’s awesome! What motivates you to do it?
Tejas: The drive to innovate within public transportation, specifically to enhance safety and efficiency in trains, fuels our mission. Seeing the direct impact of this technology—preventing accidents, reducing delays, and making daily commutes safer and more reliable for millions—keeps me motivated. More specifically, my passion for robotics has always pushed me to explore new ways of incorporating technology to solve real-world problems. Every day begins with a new challenge and teaches me how to be better.
Spiffy: Very inspiring! What would you say is the impact of your work?
Tejas: My work significantly improves train systems all around the world, directly benefiting commuters by ensuring their safety and making their journeys faster and more reliable. By detecting track issues early, we help railway companies prevent accidents and costly delays, ultimately saving money and lives. This not only enhances the daily travel experience for millions in subways or trains but also supports the shift towards sustainable urban mobility by making public transportation a more attractive option!
Spiffy: Tell me about a recent milestone/initiative by you or your org. What impact does that make?
Tejas: We are constantly working on new problems dedicated to the railway sector. The best way to grow both as an organization and individually is to incorporate feedback and keep pushing to solve newer, more challenging problems. Recently, we figured out a new way to solve the problem of inspecting the high-voltage power lines that provide our homes with electricity. Stay tuned!
Spiffy: Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Tejas: It's exhilarating to work on something that is going to benefit millions as well as to use all the skills I have learned throughout my life. I would like to point out an adage I hold really close to my heart—"Knowledge is the way to growth." Sticking to this has made me brave through a lot of challenges and it still continues to contribute!
Spiffy: Thanks for speaking with me today, Tejas—it’s been an honor!
Tejas Agarwal, the co-founder and CEO of Sahay AI, is a robotics enthusiast with a passion for revolutionizing safety through AI. With a rich background in engineering and abundant experience in autonomous robotic startups, he is dedicated to promoting sustainable urban mobility and enhancing public transportation systems worldwide. (Nominated by Manan Mehta and Nitin Pachisia at Unshackled Ventures. First published on the Ladderworks website on March 28, 2024.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2024 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Sujit Kunte. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.