Sathvik Redrouthu is a young visionary transforming the future of computing in the ever-changing landscape of technology and creativity. As a junior from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Sathvik created waves with his presentation on optical computers at the International Computing Conference 2023 in London. These devices, which are driven by photons rather than electrons, could completely alter the way we compute. What Sathvik has accomplished in his life, from being an inquisitive young mind to the co-founder, CEO, and CTO of Procyon, a company that focuses on developing these optical computers, is nothing short of extraordinary.
Could you share the inspiration behind your groundbreaking talk on optical computers at the International Computing Conference 2023?
My interest in optical computing began as a passing whim. I wondered why existing computers used electricity to function despite light being much faster. This led me to wonder if it was possible to build a computer powered by light instead of electricity. My cofounder, Jagadeepram Maddipatla, quickly recognized the potential impact of such a computer on artificial intelligence, leading us to form a startup selling optical computer chips. My talk at the International Computing Conference in London was inspired by the work we do at the startup.
How does Procyon stand at the forefront of the computing industry, and what sets your optical computers apart from traditional electronic ones?
Procyon’s computers have been built on a revolutionary foundation: they compute with light particles called photons rather than typical electronic circuitry. Our latest optical computer chip has supercomputer level speed ratings while consuming a millionth of the energy and remaining smaller than your fingernail. This allows behemoth AI systems to be run at a fraction of the cost, serving as a potential enabler for superintelligence.
Could you shed light on your role at Procyon and the challenges you’ve faced in bringing your vision to life?
At Procyon, I wear several hats, from establishing our company culture to raising financing to overseeing hardware and software development. It hasn’t been an easy ride. The transformation of theoretical notions into workable prototypes required painstaking hardware and design. Building a qualified staff and obtaining funds were significant challenges, but our united enthusiasm and determination kept us going. We were fueled by the passion of building the next step in computing.
Besides your remarkable contributions to technology, you’ve also achieved recognition in other areas. Could you tell us about your experiences as an inventor and your interests outside of the tech world?
I believe my fundamental driver is building things. A lot of it stems from wanting to understand things down to their bare bits and pieces. I’ve built a game of pong in a language I created, that compiles to an assembly language I designed, which in turn runs on a computer I designed directly from logic gates. This carries to outside the technology world – for example, I built my own electric guitar out of a block of wood and some spare parts. Fundamentally, I enjoy integrating technology with everything I do.
In the world of cutting-edge technology, Sathvik Redrouthu’s journey symbolises the spirit of exploration and creativity that propels development. Beyond the limitations of current electrical systems, his visionary work on optical computers is altering the future of computing. As Sathvik continues to steer Procyon and test the limits of possibility, he serves as a reminder that many of history’s most profound innovations were born of seemingly whimsical ideas, propelled by boundless curiosity and a stubborn will to make a difference.
