Smartivity Labs, a startup which uses augmented reality and robotics for learning, has raised $200,000 in seed funding from book publisher S Chand, reports VCCircle. Smartivity will use the funds for expanding its product portfolio along with geographical expansion and strengthening its supply chain. The report added that Smartivity aims to launch its robot based learning module in the next 3 months, along with an internet connected learning device next year. Smartivity was founded by Tushar Amin, Apoorva Gupta, Rajat Jain and Ashwini Kumar in January this year. It offers activity based arts, crafts and science projects in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) field along with DIY projects for parents and kids, which have apparently been deployed across 40 cities. The company also launched an AR based 3D colouring book. The company says that it has an instruction manual, a guide to build the project and non toxic materials. Its projects cost Rs 249- 749 and include colouring books, toy boats, rockets and bowling kits, which are also available on a subscription period for 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, although we’re not sure if this is rental or purchase based. The S Chand Group was founded in 1939 and got funding worth $28 million from Everstone Capital for a 35% stake in 2012. The company acquired a majority stake in New Saraswati House last year, and publishes school and college textbooks, children’s books and books for competitive exams, similarly offering digital learning solutions for government and private…
