Chennai: Future transport systems, a reusable satellite, AI-based yoga, and silicon fusion tape were just a few of the innovations showcased by the IIT Madras students at Delta Expo, the two-day startup expo which began on Saturday on the campus.More than 45 student teams from the Centre for Innovation and about 30 startups from Nirmaan, the pre-incubation programme, participated in the exhibition. Students from Team Abhiyaan redesigned their autonomous vehicle, which will take part in the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition in the US in May. “We redesigned the triangular autonomous vehicle to a rectangular one to provide better storage facilities. We are confident of winning the competition,” said Agney, one of the student members. Avishkaar Hyperloop, a student team, is planning to use the 450m vacuum tube for testing the transport system. Team Inbound Aerospace is building a reusable satellite which can help reduce space debris. “Bringing back satellites from space is our main objective. We are planning to build a 200kg prototype by 2028,” said Vishal, one of the team members. “In partnership with IIM Ahmedabad, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms in Bengaluru, the National Chemical Laboratory in Pune, and BITS campuses, IIT-M will set up a studio structure to help startups mature. They will provide engineering services, identify potential customers, and get a good team,” said professor Satyanarayanan Seshadri, head, School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, IIT-M. The studios will be set up in broader areas, including biosciences, climate and sustainability, AI, industrial, and moon shots. Earlier, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar inaugurated the expo. He also called on everyone to take part in the Viksit Bharat vision, which envisions India as a developed nation by 2047. IIT-M director professor V Kamakoti said the Centre for Innovation and Nirmaan are working with a target of incubating 100 deep tech startups every year.
