New Delhi, September 22 (Daily Kiran) : A new era in construction technology has begun with the inauguration of a cutting-edge robotics laboratory at IIT Madras. Launched on September 22, 2026, the lab, built at a cost of ₹3.3 crore, aims to revolutionize the construction and infrastructure sectors through robotics and automation.
The initiative, supported by Bechtel India’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, focuses on developing technologies that can be directly applied in real-world construction projects. This means that the research conducted at the lab will extend beyond theoretical studies, with practical applications being tested and demonstrated in actual projects.
Students and researchers will benefit significantly from this initiative. They will have the opportunity to tackle real industry challenges, gaining hands-on experience. According to IIT Madras, experts from Bechtel will provide technical guidance, and industry insights will be incorporated into the curriculum. Selected students will also have internship opportunities, allowing them to gain practical experience alongside their academic studies. The lab will emphasize collaborative research and technological development, with new prototypes being developed and research papers and patents expected to emerge.
Demonstrations of these new technologies will also be conducted for industry stakeholders. Professor Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean of IIT Madras, emphasized that collaboration between industry and academic institutions is crucial for advancing research in specialized fields like robotics. This partnership will help address real challenges in the construction sector and bring new technologies closer to practical use.
IIT Madras envisions this collaboration as a long-term effort, planning to work on numerous industry-related projects and technological applications over the next five to ten years. The goal is to prepare skilled professionals who meet the future needs of construction robotics and advanced engineering. The lab will be led by Professors T. Asokan and Koshy Varghese from IIT Madras.
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