The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, has recently launched the 2023-24 edition of the e-Yantra Robotics competition, eYRC 2023-24. This annual competition aims to enhance students’ skills through project-based learning. Participants will undergo a six-month-long session using a learn-by-doing approach and a collaborative schedule.
The theme for this year’s competition is “The Space Beyond”. Participants will be challenged to develop innovative solutions to problems set in a space scenario. There are various hardware-based themes, and selected participants will receive free robotic kits. The e-Yantra Robotics Competition is open to all enrolled college students in teams of two to four members from any year and branch of the same institute.
The competition comprises two stages: in the first stage, students are trained using simulators, while the second stage involves testing participants on problem-solving tasks designed as “themes” utilizing real hardware. Students can register as a team of two to four members from any year and branch of the same institute. This year’s broader theme relates to outer Space and challenges participants to develop innovative solutions for building Space associated Applications.
Prof Kavi Arya, the Principal Investigator of e-Yantra, believes in changing the attitude of students from “knowledge consumers” to “knowledge creators.”
Commenting on the initiative, Prof Arya said:
In today’s fast-changing world led by AI and other emerging technological tools, we must invest more in training young minds to have a broader entrepreneurial outlook. They should be encouraged to take up issues with a mindset to create new knowledge and solutions with a more significant societal impact. e-Yantra has always strived to engage young minds in novel entrepreneurial endeavours beyond traditional textbook learning modes. Our goal is to create “student innovators for local disruption.
The e-Yantra Robotics Competition, hosted at IIT Bombay and funded by the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, has been crucial in preparing the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs for the dynamic world ahead for over a decade.
Over the years, the competition has witnessed a remarkable growth in popularity, with registrations surging from close to five thousand some years back to an impressive range of more than thirty-four thousand. This growth is a testament to the value young people see in the competition, where the skills taught are online learning, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, collaboration and a plethora of futuristic skills crucial to surfing the changing tides of technology. The competition is a platform to train young engineers in hardcore engineering skills through a hands-on and fun-filled approach.
Each competition theme teaches state-of-the-art technologies, including Robotic Operating System (ROS), Drone Control, Control System Design, Robot Design, Machine Learning (ML), Image Processing (IP), 3D Design, Embedded Systems, Geographic Information System (GIS), FPGA Programming, and more. These technology stacks equip students with highly sought-after skills in the job market, ensuring high-quality placements and even inspiring them to higher degrees. Some even do engineering startups.
The e-Yantra Robotics Competition offers a six-week paid summer internship at IIT Bombay to over 100 interns each year. This opportunity allows participants to work on ambitious technical projects and attend enriching talks on various topics, including geopolitics, money & investing, soft skills and more. The experience gained through the competition prepares students to navigate the rapidly transforming world of global opportunities.
The registrations are open for the e-Yantra Robotics Competition 2023-24 till August 25, 2023. A 20% discount is up for grabs for Early Birds until August 10, 2023. Cash prizes worth INR 10 Lakhs are at stake this year. To learn more and register for the competition, visit the official website.
Recognized worldwide as an engineering education and research leader, the IITB is known for its outstanding students. Over the past five decades, it has graduated more than 42,000 of India’s top engineers and scientists. It has built links with peer universities and institutes at the national and international levels to enhance research and enrich its educational programmes. At the same time, the institute also offers many innovative short-term courses through continuing education and distance education programmes.
