In an exciting milestone for the country, a group of engineering students from the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) has unveiled Bangladesh’s first fully functioning humanoid robot named “Borno.” Designed and assembled locally, this robot can speak Bangla, recognize faces, respond to basic questions, and even mimic human gestures.
This achievement not only showcases the talent of young Bangladeshi engineers but also marks a major step forward in the local robotics industry.
Meet Borno: The Humanoid Robot
Borno is 5 feet tall, with articulated limbs, facial recognition software, and voice-based AI developed in Bangla. It can hold short conversations, respond to questions about the weather, give the time, and perform simple hand movements.
The project was developed over 14 months with the help of local tech firms and open-source tools like Arduino and Raspberry Pi.
Why It Matters
This is the first serious attempt to build a locally designed humanoid robot in Bangladesh. It represents a shift in how we think about science education—not just learning, but creating.
If scaled up, robots like Borno could be used in education, customer service, or even as assistants for elderly care in the future.
Encouraging Innovation Culture
Government officials and private investors attended the unveiling event and pledged funding for future robotics research. Tech incubators such as BASIS and ICT Division’s Startup Bangladesh have expressed interest in turning this prototype into a commercial product.
There are already plans to send Borno to international robotics competitions.
A Look to the Future
The success of Borno proves that Bangladesh has the talent and potential to become a competitive player in robotics and automation. Universities across the country are now encouraging interdisciplinary projects involving engineering, AI, and hardware innovation.
