Bangalore, July 28, 2024: Deep Tech and Sustainability were highlighted in a hackathon hosted by the Electronics City Industries Association (ELCIA) here.
The recently concluded ELCIA Tech Summit 2024 held at the International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIIT-Bangalore) showcased the ELCIA Next-Gen Innovative Tech Hackathon. This vibrant event brought together creative minds, tech enthusiasts, and industry experts to develop solutions with significant societal and environmental impact.
Prof Debabrata Das, Director of IIIT-B, said, "The ELCIA Next-Gen Innovative Tech Hackathon has been a platform for aspiring innovators to push the boundaries of technology. It has provided an opportunity to develop solutions that not only showcase technical prowess but also address critical societal needs. This hackathon signifies the need for collaborative innovation, bringing together diverse minds to create impactful technologies that contribute to a sustainable and inclusive future."
The hackathon was a major highlight of the ELCIA Tech Summit Agenda. VLSI System Design (VSD), a semiconductor training company based in Bangalore, organized the entire event using their extensive knowledge of semiconductor and embedded product development. The hackathon took place in three phases from July 6 to July 25, both online and offline. A total of 125 teams from various colleges and universities in Karnataka participated, showcasing innovative product ideas across three themes.
The first two rounds were conducted online, where teams had to submit their idea proposals, product development plans, and demo videos. After a thorough screening process led by Kunal Ghosh and his team, 29 teams advanced to the pre finals.
Sriram Kumar V - President, ELCIA, commented, "As the President of ELCIA, I am incredibly proud of the talent and innovation showcased during the 'ELCIA Next-gen Innovative Tech Hackathon'. This 7-week-long event brought together the brightest minds from across Bengaluru City, demonstrating their passion and ingenuity in tackling complex technological challenges. The hackathon has set the stage for the ELCIA Tech Summit 2024, where we will continue to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. I look forward to witnessing the transformative ideas and technologies that will emerge from this summit."
Vinay Kumar, Member, Executive Committee, said, "As we approach the ELCIA Tech Summit 2024, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. This Summit will not only showcase the groundbreaking work from the hackathon but also bring together industry leaders and experts to discuss the future of technology and its impact on our lives. The Hackathon, especially, has been a testament to the incredible potential of our city's tech community. It has been a privilege to witness such a high level of ground-breaking ideas and execution from the participants."
Kunal Ghosh, the Founder of VSD, said, “The screening process was challenging because the young participants were full of innovative ideas and enthusiasm. They offered high-tech solutions with budget-friendly options, making it hard to choose the final 10 teams.”
Thes finalists demonstrated their prototypes at IIIT Bangalore before a jury of experts from industry and academia. The jury evaluated the teams based on technology, market readiness, customer friendliness, and cost-effectiveness.
Team Bruteforce, consisting of Yash Gupta, Divyansh Singhal, and Daksh Sharma, won the first prize with a cash award of Rs 50,000 for their project, 'Wearable Haptic Braille Device for the Blind.' Team NewBees, comprising Kushagra Singh, Anshul V. Patil, and Kafil Abbas Momin, was the first runner-up, receiving Rs 35,000 for their project, 'Smart Hand Mobility Assistive Device for Enhanced Rehabilitation and Daily Assistance.' The second runner-up was Team Generic Junkiez, involving Ashish Ramesh, Sahil Parashram Desai, and Jonathan Daniel K, who received Rs 25,000 for their project, 'Autonomous Robotic Integration for Automation.'
Additionally, seven teams received a prize of Rs 10,000 each for their outstanding contributions. Winners will now have the opportunity to work closely with the ELCIA team to productize their ideas, ensuring that these groundbreaking concepts are transformed into viable products that can benefit society and the environment. This collaboration between ELCIA and the winning teams exemplifies the summit’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the journey from concept to market.
Participants have pushed the boundaries of what is possible and also addressed real-world challenges with their solutions. The ELCIA Tech Summit 2024 has been a resounding success, demonstrating the incredible potential of collaborative innovation. The summit has set a high standard for future events, inspiring the next generation of tech pioneers to continue their innovative journeys.
