13 YO Bangalore Student Is Building A Gaming App To Raise Road Safety Awareness Among Children

In the vibrant city of Bangalore, a 13-year-old school student is on a mission to revolutionise road safety for children.

Surya Uthkarsha, a class 8 student at National Public School, Rajajinagar, isn't your average teenager. While his peers focus on video games and school, this whizz-kid is engaged in building a mobile gaming app that could save lives.

His startup, ‘Roadyz’, blends education with entertainment to teach children aged 5 to 14 the rules of the road - all through an interactive and immersive gaming experience. And now, he’s seeking ₹10 lakh to make his vision a reality.

The Moment That Sparked A Movement:

Surya’s journey toward creating Roadyz began with a personal story rooted in tragedy. In 2017, a then-six-year-old Surya was involved in a close road accident while travelling on a Bangalore road. 

Although he nearly escaped, the incident left a deep imprint on him. As he grew older, the questions began to take shape: Why are roads in India so unsafe for children? How can kids be better equipped to protect themselves?

These concerns took centre stage last year when Surya enrolled in a future leaders programme under the aegis of 1M1B (1 Million for 1 Billion), an UN-accredited non-profit focused on empowering youth.

The event struck a chord, reaffirming his belief that road safety for children needed urgent attention. According to a report by ABP News, 400 people die every day on Indian roads, with a significant proportion being children and adolescents.

“Road crashes are the leading killers for children aged 5-19 in India. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. That’s when Roadyz was born,” Surya shares in an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia.

Surya Vision For Roadyz In Detail:

Determined to make a change, Surya dove into research on the best ways to educate children about road safety. 

Initially, he considered holding live sessions but quickly realised that children’s short attention spans made traditional education methods ineffective. The solution? Something they already love - gaming.

Mobile gaming apps have captured the imagination of children worldwide, so why not use them to teach kids something as important as road safety? 

Surya believes that education could be transformed into something fun, memorable, and engaging through gaming. However, the path to developing Roadyz wasn’t smooth. 

“I found out there were some apps like ‘SafeCross,’ but they were neither engaging nor fun. I wanted something that combined real-life road scenarios with gameplay,” explains Surya.

After months of research and brainstorming, he developed a proof of concept for Roadyz. 

The game allows players to navigate real-world road situations, earning points by practising road safety skills like crossing streets, wearing helmets, and avoiding traffic. As they progress, players unlock safety gear, such as helmets and reflective jackets, making the experience both fun and educational.

“I want kids to feel like road safety could be cool, something they’re proud to know,” Surya says with a smile as he recalls how children in his network loved the concept.

Overcoming Challenges And Paving A New Road:

Despite the promising concept, Surya faces significant hurdles. Being only 13, he often encounters wariness from adults when pitching his startup. 

“There are people who think because I’m still too young, I can’t pull this off. But age doesn’t define ability,” he tells Startup Pedia with determination.

Surya is currently raising funds to bring the app to life, setting a target of ₹10 lakh to kickstart full-scale development. He’s already seen success in small doses, having raised ₹10,000 through crowdfunding campaigns.

He’s also applying for government grants and exploring partnerships with like-minded VC firms to reach his financial goal.

His father, Dr. Uthkarsha Lokesh, a maxillofacial surgeon, serves as Roadyz’s co-founder and advisor. 

“My father’s experience has been invaluable. He helps me navigate the professional world and believe in my vision,” Surya shares proudly.

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Building The Future Of Road Safety Education:

What sets Roadyz apart from its competition is its blend of real-world application and gamification. The app isn’t just about answering quiz questions; it immerses children in everyday road situations, teaching them how to react, stay safe, and make decisions on the fly.

“Roadyz involves real-world road obstacles, cars, and pedestrians in the game. Players learn by doing, not just reading,” Surya shares. 

The game rewards kids with points, which they can use to unlock new levels and safety gear, making it both educational and aspirational.

Surya is targeting a primary audience of children aged 5-14, while the secondary audience includes families, educators, and community members. He hopes to roll out the app by the end of the first quarter of 2026 and plans to partner with schools to make it part of their educational programmes.

“No app in the world caters to children’s road safety in a gamified format. Roadyz is unique, and that’s why I believe it will be a huge success,” he says confidently.

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Looking ahead, Surya envisions Roadyz going global, reaching millions of children worldwide. He estimates the Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) to be 10 million globally from a Total Addressable Market (TAM) of around 900 million children with access to smartphones.

To ensure its longevity, Surya plans to adopt a freemium model for the app. The core game will be free, but premium features - such as customisable avatars, advanced levels, and an ad-free experience - will be available through a subscription service. 

“Eventually, we’ll offer premium versions, but for now, the goal is to make the core game as accessible as possible,” Surya explains.

He also envisions partnerships with brands for sponsorships and family-friendly in-app ads.

The Wonder Boy With Big Dreams:

Beyond Roadyz, Surya’s entrepreneurial spirit shines brightly. He already runs Nile Clothing, a dropshipping clothing line, and is the founder of the Novus Debate Society, an international online debating platform for youth.

Along with his elder sister, who is a youth leader as well, Surya has also co-founded The Marg Initiative, a non-profit aimed at promoting youth-led road safety advocacy under the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

“It’s all about making a difference. I want to leave a positive impact on the world,” Surya says.

In the midst of all his projects, Surya still manages to maintain top marks in school, serves on the student council, and plays basketball at the state level. His ambition and discipline are nothing short of remarkable.

The Journey Till Now In A Nutshell:

Surya’s journey is just beginning, but with a clear vision, strong family support, and a passion for making Indian roads safer for children, Roadyz is poised to become a powerful force in road safety education.

“I’m not just building an app; I’m building a future where kids feel safer on the streets. That’s the dream,” Surya concludes.

With the next few months critical for fundraising and development, the world eagerly waits to see this young innovator take his vision to the next level.