diff --git a/labs/lab_1/lab_1a.py b/labs/lab_1/lab_1a.py
index 9d15ec83..94dd3dda 100644
--- a/labs/lab_1/lab_1a.py
+++ b/labs/lab_1/lab_1a.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 """
 lab_1a.py
-
+This is to simulate a change made on a robot: robot_speed = 5 # m/s
 The first lab in the BWSI CSS course. To complete this lab, fill out the variable on line 10
 with your name. Then, save the code, add it to the staging area, and commit it to the Git tree.
 """
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@
 def main():
     print("Hello World!")
 
-    name = "" # TODO: Insert your name between the double quotes
+    name = "Rishi Nandgiri" # TODO: Insert your name between the double quotes
 
     print(f"{name}, Welcome to the CSS course!")
-
+    print(f"{name} is very happy to see you")
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     main()
diff --git a/labs/lab_1/lab_1b.py b/labs/lab_1/lab_1b.py
index e58dd957..5b938b07 100644
--- a/labs/lab_1/lab_1b.py
+++ b/labs/lab_1/lab_1b.py
@@ -37,13 +37,28 @@ def simple_calculator(operation: str, num1: float, num2: float) -> float:
     else:
         raise ValueError("Invalid operation. Please choose from 'add', 'subtract', 'multiply', or 'divide'.")
 
+def request_sanitized_number(prompt: str) -> float:
+    """
+    Function to request and sanitize user input for the operation
+
+    Returns: 
+        float: The sanitized numeric input by the user
+    """
+    while True:
+        try:
+            number = float(input(prompt))
+            return number
+        except ValueError:
+            print("Invalid input. Enter a valid number.")
+
+
 def main():
     
     print(f"===== Simple Calculator =====")
 
     # Ask the user for sample input    
-    num1 = float(input("Enter the first number: "))
-    num2 = float(input("Enter the second number: "))
+    num1 = request_sanitized_number("Enter the first number: ")
+    num2 = request_sanitized_number("Enter the second number: ")
     operation = input("Enter the operation (add, subtract, multiply, divide): ").strip().lower()
 
     # Perform the calculation and display the result