About
The AICTE-IDEA Lab at GMR Institute of Technology (GMRIT) is established with the vision of fostering innovation, creativity, and experiential learning among students and faculty. Supported by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the lab serves as a state-of-the-art innovation hub that integrates classroom learning with hands-on design, prototyping, and product development.
The IDEA Lab provides an ecosystem for multidisciplinary learning, enabling students to explore emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and 3D Printing. Through structured activities like workshops, hackathons, bootcamps, and design challenges, the lab empowers students to transform ideas into working prototypes and develop solutions for real-world problems.
By aligning with GMRIT’s vision and mission, the IDEA Lab not only enhances technical competencies and employability but also nurtures a spirit of entrepreneurship and societal responsibility. The lab acts as a bridge between academia, industry, and the community—encouraging innovation, research, and the development of start-up ventures.
In essence, the GMRIT AICTE-IDEA Lab is a platform to inspire students to learn by doing, innovate with purpose, and create impactful solutions for society.
Vision
To be a hub of innovation and experiential learning that nurtures creativity, entrepreneurship, and research, thereby contributing to the development of industry-ready professionals and socially responsible innovators, in line with the vision of GMRIT.
Mission
- Integrate theory with practical learning through design, prototyping, and innovation.
- Inculcate problem-solving and critical thinking skills among students.
- Promote interdisciplinary projects addressing real-world challenges.
- Nurture start-ups, innovators, and entrepreneurs through mentorship and incubation.
- Build a sustainable ecosystem for research, development, and product innovation.
Facilities
Benefits to students (UG/PG/Projects/Internship) and staff (FDP/Projects) to be mentioned quantitatively:
- Transformation from invention to innovation culture among the students and faculty members.
- Fostering faculty engagement in industry interaction and research activities.
- Motivates students to enhance their practical and creative skills to meet industry requirements.
- A single window facility to convert the idea into the product.
- Promotes technology adoption, infrastructure development and entrepreneurship aiming at empowering individuals to become job creators
- Provides seed grants for the prototype development and explore early-stage startups, guiding ideas from conception to prototype and the development of a minimum viable product.
- Eventually leading to a 'Technology Business Incubator to promote innovation and startup culture in the society with the technology intervention.
- Provide technological support through structured, hands on sessions to facilitate the transformation of ideas into viable products within specific timeframes.
Integration of IDEA Lab with existing facilities:
It is proposed to integrate the following infrastructure facilities already functional in different departments in GMRIT.
- The Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the CSE department is equipped with comprehensive hardware and software components. Integrated with the IDEA Lab, it serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. Its primary mission is to explore the theoretical foundations of AI and translate these insights into real world solutions that address societal challenges and industry needs.
- The Centre of Excellence in Advanced Computation & Engineering Simulations, located within the Electronics and Communication Engineering department, is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of understanding and innovation in the field of electronics and communication engineering. It applies sophisticated computational models to tackle a diverse array of challenges, ranging from optimizing signal processing algorithms to designing high performance electronic devices.
- The Centre of Excellence in Renewable energy & Aero Space applications, located within Electrical and Electronics Engineering department, integrates with the IDEA Lab; it enhances its capabilities in prototyping, testing, and validating new technologies. This integration allows researchers and engineers to explore novel concepts, optimize designs, and improve efficiency in renewable energy systems and aerospace technologies.
- The Centre of Excellence in Advanced materials and Manufacturing Technology, housed within the Mechanical Engineering department, integrate with the IDEA Lab; the centre gains access to cutting edge facilities for prototyping, testing, and scaling new materials and manufacturing processes. This integration facilitates interdisciplinary research and development efforts, bringing together experts in materials science, mechanical engineering, and industrial design.
- The Centre of Excellence in Material Recycling and Waste Management, situated within the Civil Engineering department, collaborates with the IDEA Lab to drive advancements in sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. This partnership aims to tackle challenges related to recycling, waste management, and resource recovery through innovative engineering solutions.
- To enhance practical exposure, we will organize regular hands on sessions for students and faculty members on technology adoption and up skilling. This initiative integrates our existing infrastructure with the proposed IDEA Lab.
Alignment with National Initiatives/Technology Vision 2035/SDGS/MSME/Specific Cross Section of Society/Any Specialization:
Alignment with SDGs: Affordable and clean energy in India:
- To develop sustainable solutions, innovations and start ups for clean energy generation in India.
- To instil the habit of conservation of natural resources and development sustainable environment for national prosperity.
- To provide support for prototyping and testing innovative renewable energy solutions that are cost effective and suitable for Indian conditions.
- To host innovation challenges focused on developing and scaling up renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy.
- To promote research and development of alternative fuels for cleaner transport options, such as hydrogen and biofuels.
- To facilitate community driven solar projects and business models that empower local communities to generate their own clean energy.
- To facilitate access to finance for clean energy start ups through partnerships with financial institutions, impact investors, and venture capital firms.
- To mentor start ups in developing sustainable business models that address market needs while contributing to clean energy deployment.
- To develop frameworks for measuring the social, economic, and environmental impact of clean energy innovations supported by the IDEA Lab.
By aligning with MSMEs, GMRIT IDEA Lab can catalyse innovation and contribute to sustainable economic development, growth across India with the following objectives.
- To facilitate the adoption of innovative technologies by MSMEs through technology demonstrations, workshops, and pilot projects.
- To provide support for product development and improvement through collaboration with research institutions and technical experts.
- To offer skill development programs tailored to MSMEs, focusing on entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and technical skills relevant to their industry.
- To develop customized solutions that address specific challenges faced by MSMEs in their operations and customer interactions.
- To establish feedback mechanisms to continuously improve support services based on the evolving needs and challenges faced by MSMEs.
Plan for Sustenance of IDEA Lab beyond Two Years
Our sustainable action plan for IDEA Lab beyond two years involves a strategic approach encompassing financial sustainability, operational efficiency, continuous innovation, and ecosystem development with the following objectives:
- To identify and leverage multiple funding sources such as grants, sponsorships, memberships, fee based services, and investment returns.
- To establish a dedicated team to actively seek funding opportunities, including government grants, corporate partnerships.
- To cultivate strategic alliances with corporate partners, venture capitalists, and foundations interested in innovation and entrepreneurship.
- To regularly assess and optimize the use of physical space, equipment, and human resources to minimize costs and maximize efficiency.
- To implement quality control measures to maintain high standards in service delivery, program management, and customer satisfaction.
- To foster a culture of continuous improvement by soliciting feedback from stakeholders and implementing process enhancements accordingly.
- To facilitate the commercialization of research outcomes and intellectual property generated within the college through licensing agreements and spin off companies.
- To forge partnerships with industry leaders, start ups, and SMEs to facilitate technology transfer, collaborative research projects, and industry internships.
- To offer paid services such as prototype development, testing facilities, and consulting to start ups and industry partners.
GMRIT AICTE-IDEA Lab Committee
| Role |
Name and Designation |
| Chief Mentor |
Dr. C. L. V. R. S. V. Prasad – Principal, GMRIT |
| Coordinator |
Dr. M. Srinivasa Rao – Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department |
| Co-Coordinator |
Dr. Anil Kumar B – Associate Professor, Electronics and Communication Engineering Department |
| Tech Gurus |
Dr. Yogesh Misra – Professor, ECE Department |
| Dr. T. Anil Kumar – Assistant Professor, ECE Department |
| Dr. GVSS. Sharma – Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department |
| Dr. G. Sasidhar – Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department |
