Interview with an Inventor - INTREPID (Wearable that prevents sexual assault)

Manisha Mohan invented a wearable that solves sexual assault, a massive problem affecting people globally. Inspired from a horrific event in India, Manisha set out to find a solution and invented a product that prevents sexual assault. Her product and work received recognition all over the world and people are excited to get their hands on this product across borders. This is Manisha Mohan’s career story.

What is a wearable?

Wearable or wearable technology is an electronic device that can be worn on the body as an implant or accessory. Popular wearables are smart watches and wrist bands that measure heart rate or number of steps taken.

Where were you born? What was your childhood like?

I was born in Danapur Cantt, Bihar. I did my pre-kindergarten education in Simla and then my family moved to Chandigarh when I was about 6 years old. I finished my schooling in Chandigarh and my school shaped me into who I am today including the way I think and how I do things. There is sense of independence I enjoyed during my schooling in Chandigarh.

Tell me about your family. What impact do they have on your life?

We are family of 4 and I am the only daughter for my parents. I have a younger brother and he recently graduated from Thapar University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. My parents are academically motivated. My dad has a PhD in Geography from Punjab University and my mother obtained her PhD in Hindi, Literature.

Where did you go to College? What was your college like?

After finishing High School, I started getting to know about lunar vehicles and the idea of making a lunar vehicle and rolling on the moon fascinated me. That idea of lunar vehicles motivated me to pursue Automobile Engineering. I went to SRM University in Chennai to pursue Bachelors of Technology in Automobile Engineering. The ratio of girls to boys in my classroom was very low. However, I enjoyed learning design, manufacturing and functioning of automobiles by spending more time in the laboratory, doing internships and researching concepts.

Please tell me about your project - SHE and explain how it works.

Few years into Engineering course work, nation was rocked by the Delhi gang rape incident. That incident inspired me to do something about the horrific problem and develop a product to prevent sexual harassment.

Along with a team of two, we developed an innovative product - Society Harassment Equipment (SHE). SHE is lingerie fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and pressure sensors. When a molester/offender applies pressure on the lingerie/SHE, it shocks the offender by passing electric current through the body and sends an SMS alert to emergency contacts including the location of SHE.

Project -”SHE” received accolades and Manisha Mohan received the prestigious Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) award in 2013. She also won the Innovation scholarship in 2014 and got an opportunity to spend 21 days in Rashtrapathi Bhavan and interact with then President of India (Shri Pranab Mukherjee), ministers and researchers.

Product - SHE looks like it has the right grouping of various technologies and components. Did you come up with the solution/product from your classes alone in SRM University?

No. I did not stick to the curriculum alone during my course work. I served as an intern at several organizations while doing my course work at SRM University. Internships at manufacturing plant, and research laboratories helped me learn various concepts. Knowledge gained from classes, internships and projects helped my team and me with this product.

Is “SHE” available for purchase in the market? Did you make any improvements to the product?

No. SHE is not available in the market because of regulations. However, I came up with an innovative product - INTREPID that investigates signs of assault and prevents sexual abuse. After my graduation, I was accepted into MIT (Massachusetts, USA) to pursue Masters in Media, Arts & Science.  I was able to focus on the human interaction domain at MIT and came up with an innovative product - INTREPID that investigates signs of assault and prevents sexual abuse.

  

INTREPID seems like a cooler product than SHE. If a simple, reusable, washable sticker on my bra alerts my family and/or friends when I am in danger, I would definitely buy it for me and for my girlfriends. Is INTREPID ready for market?

That is true. INTREPID is getting ready to hit the market. I am working with a co-founder who takes care of the business aspect of this and we are making sure that product is released into the market without any hiccups. We are currently working on testing the product and it is too early to give launch date now.

What challenges did you face on your path to inventing SHE and/or INTREPID?

I faced numerous challenges all along the way. It wasn’t easy for me to move to Chennai from Chandigarh to pursue B. Tech in Automobile Engineering. It took lot of convincing and I had to fight with my parents to let me go. I was very determined to take my life under control and didn’t want to settle with cookie cutter job.

Life in Chennai and my education in SRM University was not smooth. I faced lot of resentment from my classmates for doing things like jumping on the hood, spending extra time in the labs compared to others. But I did not let anything stop me from being who I am or what I wanted to accomplish.

Even after moving to US from India, I faced numerous challenges medically, culturally and physically. But I moved past my challenges and worked towards my goal.

You received several honors/awards for your inventions. What honors or awards motivated you to do your best?

1. Innovation scholarship from Shri Pranabh Mukherjee - I got an opportunity to interact with the President of India during the 21 day residency and learned about the most pressing challenges first hand from the President.
2. Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) award from SRISTI - I met with great mentors like Anil Gupta through SRISTI and I continue to receive guidance from these mentors till this day.
3. National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Collegiate award (2017)

Do you have any advice for our readers?

I suggest students to overcome any challenge big or small and pursue education. Life is boring without any challenges in it, so consider every challenge as though it is bringing you closer to success. Do not get stuck and move forward.