He is an electrical engineer from IIT Madras. His research interests are embedded systems, signal processing and understanding how the brain perceives language and communication. Narayanan is a prolific inventor with more than 30+ patent and applications. His first assistive device aimed at an Indian market that helps people with speech disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disability, aphasia and learning disabilities to communicate. Avaz is also available as an iPad app, aimed at children with autism. He delivered a Talk at TED Conference 2012.
In 2010, Avaz won the National Award for Empowerment of People with Disabilities from the president of India.
He is a TR35 awardee of 2011 and he was listed in MIT Technology Review 35 under 35.