Dr. Jitendra Singh Advocates Consortium Approach in Research

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, emphasized the importance of a consortium approach in research during his visit to the IIT Madras Research Park on Sunday. He stated that involving industry at the development stage ensures innovations meet real-world needs, thereby accelerating their transition from research to deployable solutions.

The Minister’s visit included a tour of the Immersive Technology and Entrepreneurship Labs (ITEL) Foundation and various advanced research facilities at the institute. He praised the consortium-driven innovation model, which facilitates quicker commercialization of technology. “This model is now being keenly picked up by other academic institutions and universities as well,” he noted.

Innovative Solutions for Urban Mobility and Beyond

One of the highlighted projects during the visit was the HASHTIC mobility initiative, designed to tackle severe traffic congestion in Indian cities. The initiative aims to enable a 15-kilometre urban commute in approximately 20 minutes using AI-enabled, small-format electric mobility systems on elevated tracks. This innovative solution focuses on providing point-to-point connectivity in congested metropolitan areas, significantly reducing travel time and alleviating pressures on existing road infrastructure.

Developed specifically for Indian urban conditions, the HASHTIC project emphasizes affordability, scalability, and sustainability. Additionally, Dr. Singh reviewed the progress of Agnikul Cosmo, a private space technology startup incubated at IIT Madras. The company specializes in creating launch vehicles for flexible, on-demand satellite launches. Notably, on May 30, 2024, Agnikul successfully launched its first mission with support from IN-SPACe and ISRO, showcasing its core technology. The company is now preparing for a commercial mission of its reusable rocket later this year.

Advancements in Medical Technology and Brain Research

The Minister also explored the IIT Madras Incubation Cell, which has supported over 500 startups across various sectors, including climate-tech, healthcare, and AI-driven solutions. This cell provides essential mentorship, access to laboratories, funding, and industry connections, facilitating the transition of startups from prototype to market-ready products.

At the Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC), Dr. Singh learned about the development of affordable, indigenous medical devices. Collaborating with around 40 medical institutions, industry partners, and government agencies, HTIC has successfully commercialized 12 Made-in-India products that have reached more than two crore patients domestically and internationally since its inception in 2011. The centre aims to address unmet clinical needs and reduce reliance on imported medical technologies.

Dr. Singh also visited the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre, where researchers are pioneering large-scale, cell-resolution digital 3D imaging of human brains. This initiative has generated high-resolution human brain image data for the first time in India, advancing brain mapping research and collaborating with leading international institutions. The Centre’s “DHARANI” project focuses on creating a human fetal brain atlas, further contributing to neuroscience advancements.

The Minister concluded his visit with discussions involving faculty, researchers, and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the role of coordinated efforts among academia, industry, and government in accelerating technology development. He reiterated that linking research institutions with industry requirements from the outset enhances India’s innovation ecosystem and strengthens the country’s capacity for developing indigenous technologies aligned with national priorities.