Barker Bhaskaran left Apple for his Startup; his software is being used for unmanned surveillance ships and Amrut project now
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Barker Bhaskaran was blamed by many when he quit his coveted job at Apple, the American company that makes the iPhone. Barker wanted to do something for his country rather than be satisfied with the six-figure salary he was getting in the US. After returning home, Barker started a startup called 'Savtoa' based in Technopark in 2020 and developed the software called 'Savi' which can be used in unmanned surveillance ships (unmanned boats) used in war. Savi software is also being used in the Amrut project to improve the quality of water sources. Barker Bhaskaran is also working in collaboration with a public-sector shipping company. His software can be used to control and coordinate the operation of propellers, sensors, radar, GPS and batteries in unmanned boats. The Savi-connected boat will be able to move by understanding the direction and recognize obstacles in front, even being unmanned. Barker Bhaskaran declined to divulge further details on the matter due to confidentiality.
While working in various companies, Barker had some difficulties including managing English. He overcame that obstacle with his hard work. Barker was the one who led the 'Apple Watch Health Team', which developed the Apple Watch's biomedical features. He resigned from his job in 2014 and returned home. His wife is Uma (she was an engineer in the US), and his children are Ishani and Ivani. They live in Pachallur, Thiruvananthapuram.
How he got into Apple
Barker's schooling was in Kottarakkara. Predegree at St. Gregorio's College. Degree in Electronics Engineering with 2nd rank from TKM Engineering College. Masters in Digital Signal Processing from Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. After working for a year at Sasken, a product engineering company in Bengaluru, he moved to a US company called Portalplayer, which manufactures chips. His first posting was in Bengaluru and he went to the US in 2000. Apple was a customer of PortalPlayer back then. It was during this time that Barker got a job at Microsoft. Realizing Barker's talent, Apple hired Barker to their company. He joined Apple's iPod team as an audio engineer in 2003. He later became a manager in the iPod video team.
Uses of unmanned ship
- Combat surveillance can be done more efficiently and safely
- The resources of the seabed, soil structure and materials lost in the sea can be discovered
- Can be used for disaster management