Mandi, India, December 03rd , 2024; IIT Mandi, one of the top second-generation IITs, recently hosted its highly anticipated Open House Demonstration, featuring cutting-edge projects developed by second-year B.Tech students as part of the institute’s Design Practicum course, on various themes of Health Tech, Future Tech, Sustainability and advanced robotics. The institute supports each group with ₹30,000 to develop their prototypes, fostering innovation and hands-on learning. Through the Open House Demonstration, IIT Mandi aims to nurture entrepreneurial aspirations, awarding the top three projects a development grant of ₹2.5 lakh each through IIT Mandi Catalyst, the institute’s flagship incubator. This grant will assist the students in refining their prototypes, exploring commercialization opportunities, and contributing to India’s growing startup ecosystem.
Among the 42 innovative prototypes showcased at the Open House Demonstration, several projects stood out for their creativity and potential impact. One of the top three projects, the Flood Monitoring System, a camera based on a full-image system, is designed to provide real-time data and insights on critical factors such as water levels, velocity, and rainfall, offering a promising tool for damage control during floods. Other notable prototypes included Bone Crack Detection Using Microwaves, a safer alternative to X-rays; Solar Panel Cleaning Robots for maintaining optimal solar performance; Climate-Controlled Agriculture with Hydroponic System for sustainable farming; Metal Air Battery, an advanced energy storage solution; and Robots for Railway Track Inspection, aimed at enhancing railway maintenance. These projects reflect IIT Mandi’s commitment to fostering innovation and addressing real-world challenges.
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Dr. Satvasheel Powar, Director Incubation (IIT Mandi Catalyst – Technology Business Incubator), said, “At IIT Mandi, we aim to cultivate a culture of innovation and problem-solving. Initially, we started with a focus on science and engineering, however, we also train our students in entrepreneurship through our Design Practicum and Technology Business Incubator. This approach emphasizes the development of future-ready creators who can harness their projects to address critical societal issues. The research-based prototypes showcased today are the result of the ingenuity and determination of our students. We are proud to support these bright minds as they take their ideas from the lab to the real world.”
On the occasion, Retd AVM Pranay Sinha, VSM (Retd), Strategic Advisor – IIT Mandi along with three officers from the Indian Air Force; Dr. Bhoopendra Patel, Assistant Professor of Physiology at AIIMS, Bilaspur; Dr. Navdeep Ahuja, Assistant Professor of Physiology, AIIMS, Bilaspur; and Rajesh Subramani, Section Head -DGM-Proto Manufacturing, R&D- Hero MotoCorp Ltd along with students and faculty members were present.
The event witnessed 42 unique projects on display, each addressing real-world challenges with creative and practical solutions. Approximately 500 students from nearby schools visited the Open House Demonstration, sparking their interest in technology development and entrepreneurship. The event concluded with a commitment to further innovation and entrepreneurship.
About IIT Mandi
Indian Institutes of Technology Mandi is one of the top second-generation IITs located in Kamand Valley, Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is one of eight new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) established by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, and recognized as one of Institutes of National Importance. IIT Mandi’s permanent campus about 14 km (8.7 mi) from Mandi consists of the South and North campuses connected by a narrow neck. The South campus is on the left bank of the Uhl River below Kamand village. The North campus is along the Kataula Khad opposite Salgi village. A transit campus at Government Post graduate College, Mandi was handed over by the Himachal Pradesh Government on 16 November 2009. The Kamand campus ground-breaking ceremony, to mark the start of construction, was held on 13 April 2012. On 25 April 2015, IIT Mandi became the first of all the new IITs to completely shift B. Tech students to its permanent campus in Kamand. Since its inception the institute has been involved with more than 275 Research and Development (R&D) projects worth more than ₹120 crore. In the past 10 years, the institute has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with as many as 11 international and 12 national universities.
IIT Mandi Catalyst envisions the establishment of a sustainable startup valley in Kamand, designed to attract high-tech startups from all corners of the country. IIT Mandi Catalyst is a first Technology Business Incubator in Himachal Pradesh and was launched in 2016. Since then, there were more than 500+ startups supported with more than 4110 employment opportunities generated. There was more than 17+ Crore of funds disbursed and more than 250 sessions hosted. IIT Mandi Catalyst has received more than 180 Awards and Recognitions.
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