Chennai: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art construction robotics lab on its campus as part of a CSR-funded partnership with Bechtel India Private Limited.
The Rs.3.30-crore robotics laboratory is aimed at advancing research, innovation and industry applications in robotics and automation for the construction and infrastructure sectors.
The construction robotics lab has been established with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support from Bechtel India Private Limited, a global engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firm.
The strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), along with faculty leaders Prof. T. Asokan and Prof. Koshy Varghese, and Bechtel India representatives Raja Yeluri, Managing Director, and Ravi Tata, Robotics Manager.
The partnership is designed to bridge academic research with field-level engineering requirements through joint R&D, prototype development, patents and real-world technology demonstrations over a long-term roadmap.
As part of the partnership, Bechtel India will contribute its industry expertise to curriculum enhancement, mentor researchers and provide internship opportunities to students.
The construction robotics lab will support the development of deep-tech automation solutions while also focusing on training a skilled workforce for the construction and infrastructure sectors.
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The laboratory is also expected to contribute to the deployment of advanced construction technologies across India’s infrastructure ecosystem.
Through the construction robotics lab, IIT Madras and Bechtel India will pursue research and technology development aimed at connecting academic innovation with practical engineering applications.
The facility will focus on robotics and automation for construction and infrastructure, with activities spanning research, prototype development, workforce training and technology demonstrations.
The initiative establishes a long-term framework for collaboration between IIT Madras and Bechtel India in advancing construction technologies.
