NPCI Unveils Agentic AI-Powered IoT Payments via UPI, Signaling India’s Next Leap in Intelligent Commerce

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) today showcased a live demonstration of Agentic AI-based IoT Payments powered by UPI, highlighting the next phase of seamless, intelligent digital transactions.

Image - X/Kushal Jasani

The demonstration was presented in the presence of Shri Nandan Nilekani, Co-Founder & Chairman, Infosys and Hon. Advisor to NPCI on Innovations & Public Policy. The feature, which is currently in the pilot stage, showcased how users can discover and order items seamlessly from merchants through AI platforms such as Gemini, bringing greater convenience and personalization to digital commerce.

The solution is enabled by user-authorized AI chatbots, agents, and applications capable of initiating UPI payments based on contextual triggers, voice or text commands, and user-defined routines. These AI-powered systems can operate across devices, ensuring secure, efficient, and intuitive payment experiences.

Shri Nandan Nilekani

This demonstration marks a significant step toward the convergence of AI, and digital payments, underscoring NPCI’s commitment to driving innovation and shaping the future of India’s digital economy.

The demonstration was attended by Shri Nandan Nilekani, Co-Founder & Chairman of Infosys and Hon. Advisor to NPCI on Innovations & Public Policy, underscoring the strategic importance of this innovation in India’s fintech roadmap.

From Discovery to Payment: AI Agents Take the Lead

The pilot illustrated how user-authorized AI chatbots and applications—such as those powered by Gemini—can autonomously discover products, place orders, and initiate payments via UPI. These agents respond to contextual triggers, voice or text commands, and user-defined routines, offering a frictionless and personalized commerce experience.

“Agentic AI is redefining digital payments by making them intuitive, secure, and context-aware,” said an NPCI spokesperson. “This is not just a technical upgrade—it’s a shift toward intelligent commerce.”

A New Era of Seamless Transactions

The solution enables payments across IoT devices, allowing users to interact with smart platforms—from wearables to home assistants—without manual intervention. By integrating AI with UPI’s robust infrastructure, NPCI aims to simplify everyday transactions while enhancing security and personalization.

This initiative complements NPCI’s broader push toward biometric authentication and risk-based models, including recent rollouts of fingerprint and facial recognition for UPI payments.

Strategic Vision for India’s Digital Economy

The demonstration reflects NPCI’s commitment to shaping the future of India’s digital economy through innovation. Speaking at the event, Nilekani emphasized the convergence of AI and payments as a critical frontier for financial inclusion and user empowerment.

As the pilot progresses, NPCI plans to expand the capabilities of Agentic AI across sectors, potentially transforming retail, mobility, and public services.

New Tata–Cisco Partnership Sets Global Benchmark for eSIM-Powered IoT Connectivity

Tata Communications and Cisco have teamed up to supercharge global IoT deployments, with a strategic partnership that blends Tata’s intelligent eSIM orchestration with Cisco’s robust device management platform.

Key Highlights of the Collaboration

• Tata Communications MOVE™: A global eSIM orchestration solution managing over 350 million eSIM OS across 200+ countries and territories.
• Cisco IoT Control Center: A cloud-based platform supporting 270+ million SIM-enabled IoT devices, including 100 million connected cars.
• Unified Connectivity: Enterprises can now activate, monitor, and scale devices seamlessly across private/public networks and multiple SIM providers.
• Industries Benefiting: Transportation, logistics, and manufacturing stand to gain the most, with simplified provisioning and reduced integration costs.

Strategic Impact

• Tackles long-standing IoT challenges like fragmented SIM hardware, complex provisioning, and vendor lock-ins.
• Enables faster rollouts, greater visibility, and scalable operations for global enterprises.
• Positions eSIM as a foundational technology for managing connected ecosystems—from vehicles to industrial sensors.

Marco Bijvelds of Tata Communications summed it up:

This partnership empowers global businesses to unlock new opportunities, streamline operations, and accelerate digital transformation.

The collaboration will significantly benefit industries like transportation, logistics, and manufacturing, where reliable IoT connectivity is critical, be it a trucking company that instantly activates trailers across borders without local SIM cards or a utility provider seeking to monitor infrastructure on private and public networks without reconfiguring devices.

Godrej Enterprises Group (GEG) Unveils SafeLog: IoT-Driven Forklift Monitoring System to Boost Safety and Efficiency

In a strategic move to accelerate digital transformation in industrial operations, the Material Handling Equipment (MHE) business of Godrej Enterprises Group (GEG) has launched SafeLog – Vehicle Monitoring System, an advanced IoT-enabled solution designed to elevate safety, efficiency, and reliability in forklift operations. It enables proactive maintenance and data-driven decision-making, helping businesses maintain high safety standards while optimizing overall cost of ownership. SafeLog is seamlessly integrated into GEG’s forklift range and is purpose-built to address the growing complexity of industrial operations.

Anil Lingayat, Business Head, Material Handling Equipment, Godrej Enterprises Group, said, “SafeLog reflects our commitment to building intelligent, connected solutions for the material handling industry. It enables proactive maintenance, enhances safety, and delivers measurable value to our customers. With innovations like SafeLog, we continue to support the ‘Make in India’ vision while helping industries elevate their operational standards.”

By delivering real-time operational insights, maintenance alerts, and intelligent fleet analytics, it empowers businesses to reduce unplanned downtime by 10% and improve asset utilization by 15% across warehousing and intralogistics environments.

SafeLog has been developed with a strong focus on usability, reliability, and scalability. It is designed to function effectively even in low-connectivity environments, ensuring data collection stored on Indian servers complying with data security regulatory. The IOT solution is available on web and on both Google Play Store and IOS.

With the launch of SafeLog, Godrej Enterprises Group reaffirms its commitment to delivering digitally enabled, Made-in-India solutions that empower Indian industries to embrace the future of intelligent, operations, designed for India, and ready for the world. The business is already working on to add a layer of AI on this offering with objective of providing ‘Predictive Maintenance’ & usage base solutions in next 3 years.

Vodafone Idea’s Enterprise Arm Doubles Down on IoT with Smart Metering for Electricity & Gas

Vodafone Idea’s enterprise division, Vi Business, is charting an ambitious course into the Internet of Things (IoT) space, with a strategic focus on smart metering solutions across electricity and gas sectors. The move aligns with India’s national push toward digital utility infrastructure and positions Vi as a key player in the evolving smart grid ecosystem.

12 Million Smart Electricity Meters in Pipeline

Vi Business plans to deploy 12 million smart electricity meters over the next three years, supporting the government’s India Smart Grid Mission and the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The RDSS aims to replace 250 million conventional meters with IoT-enabled prepaid smart meters by 2028, targeting improved billing efficiency and reduced power theft.

The telco’s proprietary Vi Business IoT Smart Central platform will serve as the backbone of this rollout, offering centralized control, real-time data analytics, and seamless integration with DISCOMs (distribution companies). The platform is designed to reduce Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses, enable remote meter control, and provide consumers with transparent, real-time energy usage insights.

Expanding Horizons: Smart Gas Metering Pilots Underway

Beyond electricity, Vi Business is piloting smart gas metering solutions for commercial applications. These pilots involve partnerships with City Gas Distributors (CGDs), Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Providers (AMISPs), and gas meter manufacturers. The initiative leverages Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) technology, known for its low power consumption and reliable connectivity, to ensure robust performance in gas distribution networks.

Infrastructure & Innovation Driving Scale

To support its smart metering ambitions, Vi has established a dedicated IoT lab for pre-deployment testing and certification. This facility enables faster rollouts and minimizes operational errors. The company also emphasizes telco-grade encryption and security protocols, ensuring data privacy and reliability for both utilities and end-users.

Competitive Landscape Heats Up

Vi’s foray into smart metering places it in direct competition with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, both of which are aggressively expanding their IoT portfolios. As India’s utility sector undergoes digital transformation, telecom operators are increasingly positioning themselves as technology enablers for infrastructure modernization.

With policy tailwinds and rising demand for intelligent utility management, Vi Business’s smart meter strategy could mark a pivotal shift in how energy and gas consumption are monitored, billed, and optimized across the country.

The Rise of India’s Deep Tech Startups: Pioneering AI, Blockchain, and IoT Innovations

There has been a significant shakeup in the Indian startup ecosystem. Deep tech startups are at the forefront of a new wave of innovation. The technologies that these start-ups deal with are also diverse like famous names are AI, Blockchain and IOT ( Internet of things). And by solving real-world problems and building innovative solutions, they are not only redefining industries but also putting India in the forefront of the global technological revolution.

In this blog, we discuss how India’s deep tech startups are changing the game in key sectors, the challenges they face and their potential to drive the country of the future.

What Are Deep Tech Startups?

Deep tech startups are companies developing advanced tech solutions that target hard, complex problems. Unlike traditional startups that focus mainly on consumer-based apps or services, deep tech startups are primarily focused on advancing innovation in artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics and quantum computing, among other fields.

The emergence of these startups makes huge sense coming from India's service-based dominated IT businesses towards technology-driven innovation in products. These companies are aiming for revolutionary solutions in sectors from healthcare to agriculture to finance to manufacturing.

Artificial Intelligence: Revolutionizing Industries

AI sits at the center of India’s deep tech revolution. AI technology firm startups are used to help businesses analyze data, refine decision-making, and automate processes. AI applications range from healthcare diagnostics to predictive maintenance in manufacturing, and they are booming.

AI has also empowered health tech startups in early diagnosis by recognizing images and recognizing patterns in collected data. In a similar, AI is assisting farmers in maximizing their crop output by processing soil and weather data. In retail and banking, it allows companies to offer individualized recommendations, as well as detect fraudulent transactions.

Blockchain: Redefining Trust and Transparency

In India, blockchain technology is emerging in various sectors where trust and transparency matter. Although known mostly for crypto, the blockchain technology is much more than that.

Some startups are using blockchain to transform supply chain management by providing product authentication and traceability. In the world of finance, blockchain is facilitating secure, efficient digital transactions. However, this technology is learnt to be also used for land registry systems, voting mechanisms, and digital identity verification.

Deep tech startups across India are making blockchain technology more accessible and practical for businesses, helping them deal with inefficiencies and boosting security.

IoT: Connecting Devices for Smarter Solutions

The Internet of Things (IoT) is another area where Indian startups are leading the charge. IoT connects devices and enables them to share data, creating smarter and more efficient systems.

Indian startups are leveraging IoT in various sectors, including smart cities, healthcare, and logistics. For example, IoT-enabled sensors are being used to monitor air quality in urban areas. In healthcare, wearable devices track patient health in real time, allowing for timely interventions. IoT is also improving supply chain management by providing real-time data on inventory and transportation.

The Role of Government and Ecosystem Support

Deep tech startups thrive under the support of the Indian government. Programs such as Startup India and Digital India offer funding, mentorship and infrastructure。 Others include: Policies like innovation labs, brilliant tax benefits and collaborations with the global techno-gurus that constitute the boot of these emerging startups.

The presence of India’s robust ecosystem of accelerators, incubators, and tech hubs further fuels the potential for deep tech ventures. Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune are awakening as hotbeds of technology-led innovation. 

Real-World Applications Driving Change

Indian deep tech startups are not building dreams, they are solving real-world problems. For example:

• Healthcare: AI-based diagnostic devices not only help identify diseases at an early stage but also make it easier for people in rural areas to access health services.
• Agriculture: From monitoring crop health and predicting yield patterns, IoT sensors and AI models help farmers reduce losses.
• Finance: Blockchain-based solutions improve secure and transparent transactions, and reduce fraud.
• Retail: Artificial intelligence helps to create customized ever shopping experiences and tailor inventory.

Not only are these innovations changing industries — they're changing lives as well.

Global Recognition and Partnerships

Indian deep tech startups are gaining recognition on the global stage. Some industries, such as Lottoland's casino services, demonstrate how digital platforms can innovate user experiences and adapt to evolving technologies. By observing such advancements, Indian startups can draw inspiration to enhance their technological solutions across various sectors.

By leveraging global expertise and resources, Indian startups are scaling their solutions to address global challenges.

The Future of Deep Tech in India

India’s deep tech startups has a bright future. These companies will lead the next wave of innovation with the advancement of AI, blockchain, and IoT. Emerging technologies, such as quantum computing and 5G, will create even more possibilities for deep tech ventures.

As startups keep solving major problems, they will make a great impact beyond the industries to the society as a whole. The importance of deep tech in our life is immense as the role of technology is undeniable, from creating jobs to tackling environmental challenges, deep tech will shape India’s future.

Challenges for Deep Tech Startups

While deep tech startups hold very much potential, these kinds of companies even have associated challenges in India. R&D: Build New Innovative Technologies Access to funding is still a challenge for many startups, especially in the early stages.

Even in specialized fields such as AI, blockchain, and IoT, talent is a rarity. Finding skilled engineers that can work with complex technologies is a real problem for startups. Also, innovation can be stifled by regulatory challenges and low uptake in the marketplace.

Overcoming these challenges will require a collaborative effort between the government, industry stakeholders, and academia.

Conclusion

Deep tech startups in India are leading the way towards a tech-enabled future. Through groundbreaking advancements in AI, blockchain, and IoT, they're reshaping industries, enhancing lives, and placing India on the global innovation landscape. (2) Despite challenges, their resilience and creativity continue to drive progress.

With robust government support, an evolving ecosystem and international recognition — the saga of India’s deep tech start-ups has just begun. These startups won't just mold the future of business, they are also reworking the structure of technological creativity as they soar to greater heights.

Engineers Use Raspberry Pi for Finding Holes in Railway Tunnel Construction

An IoT system recently developed by Chinese engineers for monitoring railway tunnels is quite innovative. This Raspberry Pi-Based IoT System for Grouting Void Detection in Tunnel Construction is an innovative solution designed to ensure the structural integrity of tunnels during the grouting process.

The system uses a Raspberry Pi microcomputer, embedded electrical wires, and a cloud platform for data storage and access.

With this, Chinese engineers have found a novel use for the Raspberry Pi: detecting voids/holes in the linings of railway tunnels. This innovative approach was detailed in a paper published in the journal Buildings.

The system aims to detect voids in the secondary lining of railway tunnels, which can compromise structural integrity.

The proposed grouting void detection system

Engineers embedded wires in the secondary lining of a 600-meter tunnel and connected them to the Raspberry Pi's GPIO pins. The Raspberry Pi measures the conductivity of concrete, with dips indicating possible voids or holes.

Unlike traditional methods like ground penetrating radar, the Raspberry Pi system provides continuous monitoring. Readings from the sensors are uploaded to Alibaba Cloud over a 5G connection and stored in a MySQL database for real-time monitoring and historical analysis.

Data is uploaded to a cloud platform, allowing engineers to access it via smartphones.

System Components:

• Raspberry Pi: The core of the system, connected to GPIO pins to measure the conductivity of concrete.
• Sensors: Embedded wires in the tunnel lining act as sensors to detect changes in conductivity.
• Data Transmission: Data from the sensors is uploaded to Alibaba Cloud over a 5G connection.
• Database: The data is stored in a MySQL database for real-time monitoring and historical analysis.

For an uninitiated, the Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable computer that has gained widespread popularity in recent years due to its versatility and ease of use. Initially developed as an educational tool, the Raspberry Pi has since been adopted for a variety of industrial applications, including environmental monitoring, home automation, and IoT systems.

One of the Raspberry Pi's key strengths is its general-purpose Input/Output (GPIO) pins, which allow it to interface with sensors, motors, and other devices, making it an ideal platform for real- time monitoring system. 

TCS Launches New IoT Engineering Lab in Ohio

• The lab will carry the full suite of TCS’ IoT solutions including TCS Clever EnergyTM, TCS DMPTM, and TCS DigifleetTM, and industry solutions for the manufacturing, energy, consumer, and life sciences sectors
• The lab will also support the local community to embrace sustainability with TCS Grow+, a smart gardening technology that has helped harvest over 3,500 pounds of fruits and vegetables, benefitting 500+ families

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has launched the Bringing Life to Things™ Lab in Cincinnati, Ohio. The lab is designed to support the rapid prototyping, experimentation, and large-scale implementation of AI, GenAI, and IoT engineering solutions, enabling TCS to assist clients in bringing innovative solutions to life faster and more efficiently.

Spanning across 3,000-square feet, this lab will advance the deployment of TCS’ comprehensive suite of IoT solutions, including TCS Clever EnergyTM, TCS Digital Manufacturing PlatformTM (DMP) and TCS DigifleetTM, among others. These solutions cater to various industries including health care and life sciences, manufacturing, energy and resources, consumer packaged goods, and more. The lab will also help businesses collaborate and co-innovate, integrating physical assets, partner technologies, and customer challenges to create new offerings and solutions.

Amit Bajaj, President-North America, TCS, said, “On the demand side, structural shifts such as energy transition, supply chain relocation and AI are requiring significant new production capacity in the United States that is connected, intelligent and autonomous by design. On the supply side, Intelligent Edge, powered by advances in connectivity, sensor and AI technology, is reinventing customer experience, personalized products and connected manufacturing. TCS’ investment in the Bringing Life to Things Lab in Ohio will help our clients bridge the traditional divide between operational and digital technology by rapidly turning their ideas into minimum viable products that reimagine their value chain at scale. With its strategic location in Cincinnati, home of TCS’ largest American delivery center, the lab is well positioned to tap into the area’s tech talent to help our customers across North America.”

Regu Ayyaswamy, Global Head of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Digital Engineering, Tata Consultancy Services, said, “With the inauguration of the Bringing Life to Things Lab, TCS reaffirms its commitment to driving innovation and digital excellence in an era defined by Artificial Intelligence and GenAI. This lab will spark co-innovation, enabling clients to brainstorm and collaborate through design thinking workshops, and unlock the full potential of IoT, AI, and GenAI technologies.”

The lab also offers TCS’ innovative solutions, including the TCS Neural Manufacturing solution, which provides autonomous and intelligent capabilities for factories, and the TCS connected healthcare platform, providing solutions for personalized medicine. Some key TCS initiatives that are anchored at the Bringing Life to Things Lab include:

1. Digital Twin of the Heart: TCS announced the creation of the first-ever digital heart of a professional runner in 2023, unveiling a virtual replica of Boston Marathon champion and two-time Olympian Des Linden’s heart. Through this partnership, TCS aims to demonstrate how AI-powered digital twin technology can transform athlete training by measuring and monitoring the heart’s performance in real time. Beyond athletics, this technology has the potential to transform healthcare. In concert with wearable devices and sensors, it can gather and deploy patient data to perform real-time analyses, preventing the development or progression of medical conditions.
2. Building Software-Defined Vehicles: IoT technology is at the heart of digital transformation in the automotive sector. TCS helps automakers and OEMs navigate and accelerate their journey toward building Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs). The TCS Auto Gen AI Suite at the Bringing Life to Things Lab expedites the design, development, and validation of SDVs, leveraging GenAI and object detection to track people, vehicles, and other hazards in a car’s path.

In addition to serving clients, the lab engages with the local community through TCS’ smart gardening technology, TCS Grow+. Over 50 employees collaborated to develop a 3,500 square foot smart garden, leveraging sensor fusion based IoT technology to monitor plant environments, optimizing growth conditions like watering. Since its inception, TCS has harvested over 3,500 pounds of fruit and vegetables, benefitting more than 500 families through various charitable organizations.

Aligned with TCS' flagship digital innovation and career readiness program, goIT (go Innovate Together), the Lab also serves as a hub for researching, designing, and testing emerging learning concepts with experts in the field before taking them into classrooms all over the world. The opening of this lab underscores TCS’ strong presence in the U.S., where it has a 50-year legacy of driving growth and transforming the businesses of leading companies in every sector.

Vodafone and Sony Originated Companies To Combine Blockchain & IoT To Combat Supply Chain Frauds

Pairpoint, a blockchain-based trading venture owned by Vodafone and Sumitomo Corporation, has announced a strategic partnership with Sensos, a leading supply chain solution company founded by Sony Semiconductors, to address the growing issue of supply chain fraud. This collaboration aims to leverage Sensos' expertise in smart label technology, which originated from Sony Semiconductor Israel, to enhance the security and transparency of supply chains.

The partnership is expected to integrate Sensos' supply chain management solutions with Pairpoint's Economy of Things (EoT) platform. This will enable logistics companies to securely track their goods at every stage of the supply chain. The use of Sensos' cellular tracking labels and AI-powered control tower, combined with Pairpoint's digital identity, trust, and transactional platform, will allow for the secure and immutable recording of all goods' movements, from port departures to final deliveries.

This initiative is particularly significant as it not only aims to combat fraud but also to improve operational efficiency and cost savings for businesses across multiple industries. The solution is currently being piloted in cooperation with global logistics operator Unilog, part of the ICL Group, at several sites in the US and Europe.

Pairpoint’s secure technology overlays Sensos’ highly reliable, real-time supply chain management solution through the Pairpoint-enabled iSIM and device agent software embedded into a smart label. Every logistic transaction is then verifiable, transparent, and resistant to tampering, effectively combatting fraud, and enhancing trust across the supply chain ecosystem.

The CEOs of both Pairpoint and Sensos have expressed their enthusiasm for the potential impact of this partnership on the supply chain sector, highlighting the importance of intelligent and globally connected cellular labels and the Pairpoint platform.

About Sensos:

Sensos is a real-time supply chain management company with offices in US, Germany and Israel. Sensos’ AI-based solution empowers logistics teams to transition from reactive firefighting to proactive decision making, driving faster shipments, smaller inventories and more efficient production planning- resulting in bottom line savings and more sustainable operations. Learn more about Sensos at: https://sensos.io/

About Pairpoint:

Pairpoint (the brand name of DABCo Limited) is a pioneering blockchain technology company dedicated to revolutionizing the industry with decentrialized solutions. Based in the United Kingdom, with offices in London (UK) and Lisbon (Portugal), it is supported by an investment of 60 million euros from Vodafone Group and Sumitomo Group and employs 50 people with specialist skills and experience in IoT and financial technology. Learn more about Pairpoint at https://pairpoint.io

Chennai Startup Mindgrove Launches India's 1st Commercial System on Chip (SoC)

Chennai headquartered Mindgrove Technologies, a semiconductor startup backed by Peak XV Partners, has introduced Secure IoT, India's first commercial System on Chip (SoC) designed specifically for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Named as Secure IoT, this high-performance SoC is tailored for controlling applications on a wide range of connected smart devices. It offers programmability, flexibility, security, and superior computing power. Notably, it operates at a clock speed of 700 MHz.

Secure IoT is expected to be priced approximately 30% lower than other chips in similar segments. By using this chip, local Indian companies can reduce the cost of their devices without compromising on high-end features.

Under its applications, the SoC can control various devices, including wearables like smartwatches, smart city devices (such as connected electricity, water, and gas meters), connected home devices (like smart locks, fans, and speakers), as well as electric vehicle (EV) battery management systems and control systems.

The company said it is the only Indian chip that is commercially available in this segment. Mindgrove is now looking for all Indian OEMs and ODMs who might be interested.

Availability: The chip has successfully undergone an MPW tape-out (prototyping) at the 28nm node, and reference boards will be available for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to test in the coming weeks.

Mindgrove Technologies not only sells the chip but also offers design support to Indian brands, helping accelerate innovation and production scale within India. It also designs specialized Al accelerators for edge computing. These chips are optimized for running machine learning models directly on devices, reducing latency and enhancing privacy. Applications include smart cameras, robotics, and industrial automation.

Backed by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation and incubated in the IIT-Madras Incubation Cell, Mindgrove aims to put India on the map for semiconductor design. Leveraging the SHAKTI open-source processor program, the startup create new possibilities and keep the world on the edge

India's growing demand for microchips, coupled with the need for cost-effective solutions, makes Secure IoT a significant milestone in the country's semiconductor industry. Global buyers may also find this new option from India appealing.

LTIMindtree and Vodafone Collab To Offer Connected and Smart IoT Solutions

LTIMindtree, a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, has announced a collaboration with Vodafone, a leader in managed Internet of Things (IoT) with over 175 million connections worldwide.

This partnership aims to deliver connected and smart IoT solutions that will enable Industry X.0 and digital transformation across multiple sectors.

The collaboration will leverage LTIMindtree's Insight NXT platform (iNXT) and Vodafone’s IoT Managed Connectivity to offer advanced capabilities in AI, machine learning, predictive maintenance, digital twin, supply chain visibility, sustainability, energy management, worker safety, sensorization of assets, augmented reality, and virtual reality training.

Gemma Barsby, UK Head of IoT at Vodafone, expressed enthusiasm about supporting the real-time delivery of IoT managed services to clients, which will drive cost efficiencies and greater productivity. Monish Mishra, Chief Business Officer- iNXT at LTIMindtree, highlighted the importance of continuous innovation and connected ecosystems for growth and differentiation.

This strategic partnership is set to design highly scalable, end-to-end solutions by harnessing IoT, Metaverse, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning, delivering secure, connected ecosystems and outcomes over Vodafone’s Managed IoT Connectivity Network.

About Industry X.0, it is the leap into the future of manufacturing, where technology not only supports operations but actively enhances and transforms them. It's a significant shift from simply automating processes to using data and analytics to drive intelligent action.

Qualcomm Unveils Breakthrough in Wi-Fi Tech and New AI-Ready IoT and Industrial Platforms

At the Embedded World 2024 exhibition and conference in Nuremberg, Qualcomm made significant announcements related to IoT and Wi-Fi Technology.

The company unveils the Qualcomm® QCC730, a disruptive micro-power Wi-Fi system for IoT connectivity. This technological breakthrough provides up to 88% lower power than previous generations and can revolutionize products in battery powered industrial, commercial and consumer applications.

Qualcomm also introduced the new Qualcomm RB3 Gen 2 Platform — a comprehensive hardware and software solution designed for IoT and embedded applications. Utilizing the Qualcomm® QCS6490 processor, the RB3 Gen 2 offers a combination of high-performance processing, 10x increase in on-device AI processing, support for quadruple 8MP+ camera sensors, computer vision, and integrated Wi-Fi 6E.

The two technologies unveiled are —

1. Breakthrough Wi-Fi Technology

The Qualcomm QCC730 is a groundbreaking micro-power Wi-Fi system tailored for IoT connectivity. Here are its key features:

Unprecedented Low Power Consumption for Extended Battery Life

• The QCC730 delivers up to 88% lower power consumption compared to previous generations, potentially revolutionizing battery-powered industrial, commercial, and consumer applications. 
• Its selectable power modes and innovative power management maximize savings for extremely long battery life.

Flexibility to Operate in Hostless or Hosted Mode

• Developers can choose between hostless or hosted mode, providing extreme flexibility for different use cases.
• It supports internal or external power amplifiers and has integrated, non-volatile memory (RRAM) for ease of design.

Versatile System Integration for Ease of Design

• QCC730 fully integrates the on-chip microcontroller, non-volatile memory (NVM), and SRAM, making it versatile and easy to design with.
• Developers can replace or integrate it with traditionally Bluetooth-only applications.

Complete Cloud Connectivity Stack with Open-Source Software SDK:

QCC730 comes with an open-source software SDK available on CodeLinaro, allowing cloud connectivity offloading.

It empowers developers with an alternative to traditionally Bluetooth-only applications and enables direct cloud connectivity.

In summary, the Qualcomm QCC730 offers ultra-low micro-power Wi-Fi, scalability, and versatility for IoT applications, making it a powerful choice for connected devices.

2. AI Ready IoT & Industrial Platform

The Qualcomm RB3 Gen 2 Platform is designed to empower developers in creating a broad range of IoT products across various segments, including consumer, enterprise, industrial robotics, and automation.

High-Performance Processing

• The RB3 Gen 2 Platform is powered by the Qualcomm QCS6490 processor, offering advanced performance capabilities.
• It combines powerful AI processing, computer vision, and blazing-fast wireless connectivity.

On-Device AI Capabilities

• Developers can leverage the platform's AI acceleration for tasks such as image and video capture, enhancing overall functionality.
• This opens up possibilities for applications in workplace security, automation, and more.

Support for Multiple Camera Sensors

• The platform supports multiple 8MP+ camera sensors, enabling robust computer vision capabilities.
• This feature is essential for applications in robotics, industrial automation, and other visual tasks.

Integrated Wi-Fi 6E

• With built-in Wi-Fi 6E, the RB3 Gen 2 Platform ensures high-speed wireless connectivity.
• This connectivity is crucial for seamless communication in IoT devices.

Bluetooth 5.2 and LE Audio

• Enhanced Bluetooth 5.2 support allows for wireless accessories and efficient communication.
• LE Audio ensures improved audio quality for connected devices.

Expandability and Versatility

• The platform offers expandability through interfaces such as GPIOs, I2C, SPI, UART, PCIe, USB, MIPI CSI/DSI, and SDIO.
• Developers can easily integrate additional components and customize their solutions.

In summary, the Qualcomm RB3 Gen 2 Platform provides a powerful foundation for creating innovative IoT products, combining performance, AI capabilities, and connectivity. 

An Investigative Study of 120 Mn IoT Devices Revealed that IoT Devices Globally Generating Whopping 3.6 Bn Security Events

NETGEAR’s “2023 IOT SECURITY LANDSCAPE REPORT” BRINGS IoT SECURITY CONCERNS INTO SHARP FOCUS

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other items that use sensors, software, and network connectivity to collect and exchange data. These connected devices are changing the way we live, work, and communicate. Along with their myriad blessings, they are also opening up new avenues for crime. As a result, IoT devices have emerged as the most vulnerable equipment in the world today.

As manufacturers increasingly scrap “dumb” devices in favor of smart Internet-connected versions, smart homes are growing around their owners, enveloping the humans that own them without them being aware of it. The once romanticized notions of the smart house, often portrayed on TV as a cheery aide to a seamless life, have given way to privacy invasions, data breaches, and ruthless ransomware attacks targeting network-attached storage. If improperly configured, or shipped with vulnerabilities and security hazards that were overlooked during quality assurance, these devices can spell catastrophes for privacy and data integrity. They can even jeopardize the integrity of the Internet itself.

2023 IoT Security Landscape Report: Key Findings

As per a recently released report “2023 IoT Security Landscape Report” brings into sharp focus the immense security concerns involving IoT devices. Based on threat intelligence sampled by 2.6 million smart homes around the world, the NETGEAR Study investigated nearly 120 million IoT devices. The study revealed that IoT devices are generating a whopping 3.6 billion security events around the world every day. This translates into 20 connected devices per household, with 8 cyber attacks occurring every 24 hrs.

The report, no doubt, makes shocking revelations about the vulnerabilities of Smart Homes. To get a clear understanding of these Smart Homes, let’s take look at the most popular devices and the top vulnerabilities affecting them:

• SMARTPHONES - Almost 41% of the devices connected to home routers are smartphones. This number includes guest devices that can be temporarily associated with the network.
• COMPUTERS - Computers and laptops are the most common devices found in connected homes. While they have lost to mobile devices in popularity, they still witness steady growth worldwide.
• STREAMING DEVICES - Streaming devices are popular means of turning a “dumb” TV into an Internet connected device.
• TABLET - Tablets have gained significant traction during the COVID-19 outbreak as schools have started issuing tablets for online education.
• CONSOLE - Game consoles also double as entertainment centers. They come with dedicated hardware and software for playing games and typically connect to a TV or monitor to display the game.

Common Vulnerabilities of IoT Devices

Going by the security incidents of 2022, most attacks spotted last year rely on already known common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) included in automated attack toolkits. Although these common vulnerabilities are known to both IoT vendors and attackers, firmware vendors may take significant time to assess, patch, and deliver fixes for the devices already deployed in smart homes. This potentially provides cybercriminals a window of opportunity. Blocking these attacks, calls for layered technologies to stop them cold before they reach the vulnerable IoT device in your network.

The exploitation of IoT devices targets different outcomes, depending on device type and purpose, connectivity options, and monetization opportunities. Vulnerability outcomes range from undermining the systems' capacity to perform expected functions to executing code on the device and hijacking its functions.

IoT RISKS TO CONSIDER

• CYBERSECURITY RISKS: Smart homes are vulnerable to cyber-attacks, as many IoT devices have weak security measures. This can allow hackers to gain access to personal information, such as passwords and financial data, and even take control of smart devices.
• PRIVACY CONCERNS: Many smart devices are equipped with cameras, microphones, and other sensors that can collect data about users without their knowledge or consent. This can result in a violation of privacy, which is of particular concern for in-house deployment.
• PHYSICAL SAFETY RISKS: Smart plugs, door locks, and cameras are becoming increasingly popular. These devices control physical security aspects such as lighting, access control, and surveillance. Any disruption in operation or loss of control can impact physical security.

PREDICTIONS 2023

• Privacy concerns will demand change - IoT devices thrive on big data. An FTC study in 2015 estimated that “fewer than 10,000 households can “generate 150 million discrete data points a day” or approximately, one data point every six seconds for each household. Today, things are even worse. The 2022 Connectivity and Mobile Trends Survey by Deloitte outlines that one in two IoT users expressed concerns over the security vulnerabilities in smart home devices that might expose the troves of collected information, while 40% of respondents fear that they might be spied on.
• Botnets will continue to grow - IoT devices will increasingly become targets for botnets, which can launch large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Cybercriminals will continue to invest significant efforts in exploitation and persistence mechanisms to help them grow their infected device base.
• IoT security will get worse before it gets better - Vendors' slow reaction to vulnerability disclosure and patching will persist into 2023. Although new regulations - such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act -are anticipated to provide some relief by imposing mandatory cyber-security standards for products sold within the bloc, their enforcement is not expected until at least 2025.

TOP SIX BEST PRACTICES TO SECURE YOUR IOT DEVICES

• Both home users and employees should be aware of active IoT devices in their networks and keep them up to date. If some devices are past their life, replace them immediately with newer models.
• Move all smart devices to a dedicated guest network to isolate them from the main network
• Patch devices as soon as a new firmware version becomes available.
• Use routers or gateways with built-in security.
• Probe the home network for vulnerable devices with a smart home scanner
• Avoid exposing LAN devices to the Internet unless necessary

Nurturing Innovation Ecosystem: Continental Organized the 2nd Edition of the #Fiction2Science Hackathon

• Participation from over 50 universities across India, more than 130 idea submissions, and 10 finalists
• Ideation theme was based on the automotive megatrend CASE Mobility – Connected, Automotive, Shared, Electrified
• The team from Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management was adjudged as the winner, awarded Rs. 1 Lakh cash prize and a job offer

The technology company Continental organized the 2nd edition of the #Fiction2Science student Hackathon in Bengaluru, India, as part of its initiative to build an innovative ecosystem. Over 50 universities from across India participated, submitting more than 130 ideas on the theme of CASE - Connected, Automotive, Shared, and Electrified.

Out of these, ten teams were shortlisted to be part of the finale. The finale was a day-long competition comprising activities such as building a working model of a car on the fundamentals of CASE, competing on a race track with obstacles, and finally pitching a mobility solution idea.

The winning team Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management represented by Nidhish Kottari, Nikhil Shetty, and Nishanth Gowda

The team from Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management showcased their idea of Smart Vehicle Health Management using IoT and emerged as the winner of the hackathon. They were awarded Rs. 1 Lakh in prize money and received a job offer to work with Continental.

Sharing her thoughts on #Fiction2Sciecne Latha Chembrakalam, Head of Technical Centre India, Continental Automotive added, “At Continental, we believe in the power of student and industry collaboration. Hence we are often taking opportunities to connect with university students in various forms ranging from funded research projects, seminars, internships, and hackathons. Our flagship event #Fiction2Science is designed in a way that students are motivated to apply their learnings in a practical sense with contemporary industry standards. The best participants are even given opportunities in form of job or internship offers. We will continue our quest to build a strong student-industry ecosystem.”

#Fiction2Science is a flagship hackathon event at Continental, aimed at connecting with universities in India to generate new ideas, fund research topics, and facilitate recruitment opportunities. The event begins with idea submission and shortlisting of top ones followed by a grand finale at Continental‘s Tech Center India, where the students undergo day-long competitions and idea pitching. #Fiction2Science opens opportunities for universities across India to participate in the hackathon event.

Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management presented the idea of Smart Vehicle Health Management using IoT

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2022, Continental generated sales of €39.4 billion and currently employs around 200,000 people in 57 countries and markets.

Continental has been present in India for close to 50 years through technology partnerships (Continental Tires since 1974) and joint ventures for its various businesses. Today, the tier 1 automotive supplier, tire manufacturer, and industrial partner operate across India – with about 9000 employees across 12 locations, including seven plants that cater to the Indian market and a Technical Centre that supports Continental's global R&D activities.

VTRO Launches ‘EV Ecosystem Incubator’ - India’s 1st Ever AI based SaaS Solutions for the EV Sector

VTRO Motors is bringing about a major disruption in the EV sector with the launch of ‘EV ecosystem incubator’, their pioneering AI based SaaS solutions, designed with suitable customization for both battery makers and EV vehicle manufactures. This AI based SaaS offering is the first of its kind to be developed in India and will help the EV sector to monitor battery consumption, battery life cycle, consumer usage patterns etc. and similar data points for EV vehicles, which will help manufacturers to improve customization, lower costs and become better connected to consumers.

In addition to the software solutions, VTRO also has the scalable charging station infrastructure hardware solutions, which makes a complete implementable EV ecosystem package for any EV player to use. The entire offering will be rolled out in three phases over the next three – four months.

Speaking on this, Mr. Pranit Parekar Co-founder & CTO, VTRO Motors Pvt ltd said, “When we developed the software solutions and the charging station infrastructure scalable model, we realized that it would be capital intensive and over strenuous for us to implement it all by ourselves. Secondly, the entire innovative solutions would remain only within our network and not benefit the community at large. So, we decided to pivot our strategy and add a layer of customization to the SaaS offering so that we can collaborate with other EV players in the market in order to build a more efficient, sustainable and economical EV ecosystem. Today we do not have any holistic market intelligence or real time reports on the usage and performance of EVs or batteries or intuitive tracker for consumer preference and needs. We hope our AI solutions will help bridge this gap of market insight in order to enhance the demand-supply chain. We plan to roll out the EV solutions program in three phases – first being an AI SaaS solution for EV batteries, followed by the solutions for EV vehicles and lastly the charging station hardware support."

VTRO has developed a universal external AI enabled IoT module which can be fitted to any EV battery available in the market. This IoT module has a preset index of 15+ battery parameters to monitor and the company can customize as per their choice of parameters. The real time monitoring data will provide the battery manufacturers critical insights on the battery lifecycle, discharging pattern, consumer user pattern, etc. which will help in upgrading the batteries to suit the demand and needs of the consumer. 

This data will also help plot the overall performance and scope of innovation in EV batteries. This IoT module will predict the thermal runaway with Unique cell level tracking technology, which will help the industry to avoid fire incidents in future. As the number of batteries increases on machine learning platforms the data will give much more accurate predictions.

The next step of the rollout will be to modify the IoT module to track EV vehicle performance, allowing manufacturers to track real time insights on the durability and adaptability of EV vehicles on different terrains, the consumer usage pattern and possible modifications that can enhance the user experience. Phase three will be launching the charging & Swapping station hardware support which can be customized to the manufacturer’s requirement. VTRO plans to launch all the three phases over the next three – four months. 

The EV sector in India is currently valued at $4B and expected to go to $20B over the next 5 years. The domestic EV batteries segment is valued at $1.5B and will hit $8B in the next 5 years. SaaS solutions will help in improving the overall EV sector and mobilizing the next phase of growth drivers for this burgeoning sector, especially its foray into the non-metros and Tier 3 – 4 markets.

VTRO was incorporated in the year 2020, with the vision to shape the future of mobility riding on disruptive technology and offering disruptive end-user benefits and services.

VTRO is building an ecosystem to support the growing adoption of EVs rather than merely selling few EV products. The idea is to create a charging station infrastructure, which will enable owners of EVs to recharge / swap batteries while on the go. The infra will include charging equipment, power supply infrastructure, mobile app, and the software to manage and monitor the charging process. The setting up of EV charging station infrastructure is crucial for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and the growth of the electric mobility industry.

First Students' Batch of ‘Samsung Innovation Campus’ in Delhi Graduate with Certificates in Coding, Programming & IoT; Flagship CSR Program Aims to Make Students Job-Ready with Future Tech Skills

First batch of Coding & Programming course culminated with a Hackathon in Delhi NCR

Total 3,000 students will be imparted skills in AI, IoT, big Data and Coding & Programming in 8 cities across India in 2023

Samsung India’s flagship CSR program Samsung Innovation Campus concluded the Coding & Programming and IoT courses for its first batch of 78 students in New Delhi, reiterating Samsung’s commitment to being a strong partner of India and working alongside the Government in its mission to empowering the country’s youth and #PoweringDigitalIndia.

The students, who were mentored and trained at National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), New Delhi were presented with certificates at a ceremony held on Friday.

ESSCI, which is a National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) approved entity, is executing the program through its nationwide network of approved training and education partners.

Student teams who are part of the Coding & Programming course took part in a 3-day Hackathon in which they developed codes based on problem statements given to them.

The problem statements included topics such as developing a citizen feedback on road maintenance, creating a knowledge management portal, automation of reforestation efforts, a GST calculator, chat support for e-governance and an early warning system for farmers to protect crops from pests. The teams presented their prototypes to a jury consisting of engineers from Samsung R&D Institute, Noida and Samsung R&D Institute, Delhi.

Samsung India had launched its Samsung Innovation Campus program at eight campuses across the country with the aim of upskilling 3,000 less-privileged youth in future tech domains such as AI, IoT, Big Data and Coding & Programming and helping them get relevant job placements.

Samsung Innovation Campus aims to upskill youth aged 18-25 years in future technologies and enhance their employability. These are key technology skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

During the course of the program, participants receive instructor-led blended classroom and online training through approved training and education partners of ESSCI across the country.

Youth enrolled for the program are undergoing classroom and online training and complete their hands-on capstone project work in their selected technology areas from among Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data and Coding & Programming. They will also be imparted soft skills training to enhance their employability and provided job placements in relevant organizations.

Those opting for the AI course will undergo 270 hours of theory training and complete 80 hours of project work while those doing the IoT or the Big Data course will undergo 160 hours of training and complete 80 hours of project work. Participants opting for the Coding & Programming course will do 80 hours of training and be part of a Hackathon.

Samsung Newsroom: First Batch of Students of ‘Samsung Innovation Campus’ in Delhi Graduate with Certificates in Coding & Programming & IoT; Flagship CSR Program Aims to Make Students Job-Ready with Future Tech Skills

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems and memory, system LSI, foundry, and LED solutions. For latest news on Samsung India, please visit Samsung India Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com/in. For Hindi, log on to Samsung Newsroom Bharat at https://news.samsung.com/bharat. You can also follow us on Twitter @SamsungNewsIN

In An Industry's First, ICICI Lombard Risk Management Gets Patent for An IoT System

ICICI Lombard risk management receives a patent for IoT-enabled System to avert fire-hazards

In an industry-first move, ICICI Lombard to offer this product to SME and Corporate institutions

In recent years, the evolution and development of IoT (Internet of Things) devices have provided exciting capabilities and services to the end user. IoT devices have also been introduced in different areas to prevent unexpected mishaps caused by human error or malfunctioning of devices. One such mishap that can happen due to malfunctioning of devices is a fire disaster. ICICI Lombard, India’s leading private non-life insurance company, has identified this area to innovate an IoT-based device that protects properties from various electrical hazards. The company has been awarded a patent to offer this product to its customers.

This is an industry-first initiative undertaken by ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company, and this patented electrical IoT solution is a B2B device geared towards SMEs and corporates. The solution monitors electrical hazards to notify and control if necessary on real time basis. Using this patent, the company aims to strengthen its resources to provide technologically robust and quality customer solutions.

Speaking about the recently approved patent, Sanjay Datta, Chief of Underwriting, Claims and Reinsurance, ICICI Lombard, said, “We have been able to see a high rise in the number of fire incidents in commercial as well as residential buildings, which only goes to show that a lot of infrastructure across our nation, especially in densely populated metros, are vulnerable to fire. However, there is an essential need for advanced technology to plan, manage, monitor, and control electricity delivery to enable a safe and reliable system. Technology has always been a major driving force for us at ICICI Lombard to provide cutting-edge risk solutions to millions of customers."

"With this patent approval of an IoT-based - system, we aim to provide not just insurance covers to our customers but also ensure their safety and prevent hazards. This device will serve as a new-risk solution for customers and having introduced several innovative, tech-enabled insurance solutions in the past years gives ICICI Lombard an edge over his peers.”

Majority of fires in India are caused due to electrical installations. Maximum number of disasters in industries are due to electrical problems such as voltage fluctuations, overheating, and ageing of the material and electrical gadgets. Further, causing huge losses and burdens on small industries. Therefore, the launch of such a solution is more relevant.

At ICICI Lombard we work with customers to develop best in class risk management and mitigation practices. Understanding of risk is fundamental to our business. Today, we have made it a key component of risk management and identified ways to view the risk landscape qualitatively and quantitatively. Our risk management cell has been instrumental in enhancing the overall safety culture for several clients. Risk solutions such as Safety Studies, Risk assessments, Sector wise Solutions, etc. have been developed to create awareness among customers. On the technological front, we have started introducing IoT solutions for key components. We have specifically focused on the problems plaguing the MSME and SME segment and their lack of access to quality risk management services. Accordingly, we have reinvented our offerings to include hard data on the electrical, fire and process safety. It is interesting to see how safety and efficiency go together especially with respect to electrical safety. We are starting to see increased awareness as customers and elevate their risk preparedness.

In the past, ICICI Lombard has developed various technological advancements that have ensured a seamless customer experience. The Company is leveraging natural language processing and robotic process automation technology to automate the quote generation process and policy booking for corporate and SME customers. Under SME segment which is close to 90% of the business sourcing is done through digital solutions. Approximetly 97% of ICICI Lombard’s policies today are issued electronically. With the use of AI-based motor break-in solutions for lapsed policy renewal, drones for motor video surveillance, and agent hiring and on boarding moving digital, the use of AI as well as ML in underwriting and risk management has significantly increased for the Company making it the most tech-enabled companies in the sector.

About ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd

ICICI Lombard is one of the leading general insurance companies and the leading motor insurer in the country. The Company offers a comprehensive and well-diversified range of products through multiple distribution channels, including motor, health, crop, fire, personal accident, marine, engineering, and liability insurance. With a legacy of over 20 years, ICICI Lombard is committed to customer centricity with its brand philosophy of ‘Nibhaaye Vaade'. The Company has issued over 29.3 million policies, settled 2.3 million claims and has a Gross Written Premium (GWP) of ₹185.62 billion for the year ended March 31, 2022. ICICI Lombard has 283 branches and 11,085 employees as on March 31, 2022.

ICICI Lombard has been a pioneer in the industry and migrated its entire core systems 100% to the cloud. With a strong focus on being digital led and agile, it has launched a plethora of tech-driven innovations, including Face Scan and Cal Scan on its signature insurance and wellness App - IL TakeCare, with over 3.0 million downloads. The Company has won several laurels including the 'Emerging Company of the Year at ET Corporate Excellence Awards, 'Best General Insurance Company at Annual Best & Emerging Insurance Company Awards, 'ACEF Asian Leadership' for 'Combatting COVID 19' initiatives, Guinness World Record for its CSR initiatives and many more. The awards are a testament to the trust reposed in the Company by its customers, partners, and other stakeholders. For more details log on to www.icicilombard.com

IIT Madras and Inspire Institute of Sport Creating Low-Cost IoT-powered Boxing Analytics Platform 'Smartboxer'

A team from IIT-Madras has collaborated with Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), Vijayanagar in Ballari district of Karnataka, to develop a cost-effective Internet-of-Things powered boxing analytics platform ‘Smartboxer,’ to increase India’s boxing medal tally at the 2024 Olympics.

The SportsTech platform will use wearable sensors & video cameras to assess the performance. It will provide an above-par competitive edge to Indian athletes by providing feedback and performance assessments using the IoT-enabled wearable sensors and video cameras.

IoT-powered devices in Smartboxer include — sensor-embedded gloves to analyze punch force; wireless foot insole with pressure sensor to record ground reaction force; wireless sensors to record a player’s lower body movement and inertial measurement unit to record upper body movement. Boxing ring video cameras will help classify players arm movements.

SAI has shortlisted archery, boxing, shooting, badminton, wrestling, hockey, weightlifting, cycling and athletics to improve medal tally in Olympics 2024.

The team will apply for patent for Smartboxer after IIS validates it.

Ranganathan Srinivasan, head, Centre of Excellence for Sports Science and Analytics and adjunct faculty in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Madras, said, "Smartboxer is one of the many alternatives of IIT Madras aimed towards the Indian government’s ambitious goal of winning more medals in Olympics."

John Warburton, head of Youth Development (Boxing) at IIS, said: “We will be able to highlight to the boxers their strength and areas that require development such as patterns of movement, activity levels, punch and defensive repertoires, technically and tactically.”

Babji Srinivasan, associate professor in the Department of Applied Mechanics at IIT-M, said the system would integrate data and video streams and multiple IoT devices. The information from the data would provide fight analytics that would help not only coaches but also judges quantify the key traits of boxing champions.

Mega Manufacturing Facility for Hearables, Wearables and IoT Devices Opens in Noida

After grabbing the site for world’s largest robot manufacturing factory, Uttar Pradesh's Noida city now gets mega manufacturing facility for hearables, wearables and IoT devices, inaugurated today by Minister of State for Electronics & IT, Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

The new new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, commissioned by Zetwerk Group Company, aims to produce 10 million devices annually.

Spread out over an area of 50,000 sq.ft, the factory comprises 16 manufacturing lines with advanced testers and a world-class innovation lab for product development. With the objective of strengthening India’s manufacturing capabilities in the smart technology space, the factory has been established to create ODMs (Original Design Manufacturer) in hearables, wearables and IOT devices.

Notably, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has coined the coming decade as "Techade". India Techade targets USD 300 billion Electronics manufacturing by 2025-26, and "more EMS,ODM, ESDM Companies are needed to drive this," said the minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a tweet.

We’re excited to announce the unveiling of Zet Town India Pvt Ltd’s mega manufacturing facility for hearables, wearables & IoT devices in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The plant was inaugurated by the esteemed @Rajeev_GoI, Minister of State for Electronics & IT.https://t.co/e0qrWFgPQj pic.twitter.com/zTyIvzcsXf

— ZETWERK (@zetwerk) May 17, 2022

Products manufactured at Zet Town’s new ODM facility are developed using a customizable model that enables the company to control the smart technology in the device by customizing product features and positioning in keeping with the requirements of customers.

Speaking about the new facility, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said “Over the last 5 years, the Prime Minister has been focusing extensively on bolstering our domestic capabilities in the electronics sector. He recognised this as an incredible growth opportunity for Indian manufacturers prior to the pandemic and over the last two years, that opportunity has grown multi-fold. India has the potential to contribute around US $ 400 billion worth of electronics goods including exports worth US$120 billion, which would account for 9-10% of the overall global value chains, from the current supply potential of 1-2%. Ambitions have been reset and we need more companies like Zetwerk in making this vision a reality. Their model is unique and can be easily scalable. I congratulate Zetwerk for this. They can play a significant role in achieving our objectives of making India a significant player in electronics GVC”

Rahul Sharma, Co-Founder, Zetwerk, said - "As a brand that’s committed to the ethos of Make In India, it has always been our endeavour to find ways to strengthen our capabilities as the world’s next big manufacturing hub and reduce import dependency. Through our manufacturing capabilities at this new facility, we bring a design based product proposition to the Indian market in the wearables and hearables space. This is a unique scalable model that has the potential to effectively disrupt the monopoly of Chinese manufacturers by addressing the export requirements of industries across the world."

"We are pioneering an ODM and EMS offering in the wearables and hearables space with a technology-first, people-first approach. With a focus on design, integration and innovation, we customise our products to cater to the specific needs of various segments. As we scale our business model to meet global demand, we aspire to be amongst the first in India to export Designed & Made in India wearables and hearables products to the world," said Shalabh Srivastava, CEO, Zet Town India.

Zet Town India Pvt Ltd is a leading ODM in India's Hearables and Wearables space with single-point comprehensive product life cycle support, focusing on design and manufacturing services in the larger IoT domain. It has dedicated teams for Research & Development, Design, Sourcing, Assembly & Testing and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Noida with 16 manufacturing lines with advanced testers and a world-class innovation lab for product development.

About Zetwerk:

Zetwerk is a managed marketplace for contract manufacturing. Zetwerk partners with the world’s leading industrial and consumer enterprises to get their products manufactured via a global network of small manufacturers, where Zetwerk helps with supplier selection, pricing and fulfilment of orders. Zetwerk offers manufacturing solutions across a diverse range of industries such as Oil & Gas, Renewables, Aerospace, Infrastructure, Apparel, Electronics and Retail. For customers, Zetwerk’s global manufacturing network ensures products are manufactured faster, at competitive prices and with world-class quality.

In addition, Zetwerk’s in-house Manufacturing Operating System software, ZISO, enables digital selection of supply, real-time tracking across stages, visual updates of products getting made, seamless communication across stakeholders and quality assurance of the final product, thereby offering customers peace of mind. For manufacturing partners, Zetwerk drives higher utilization of manufacturing capacities and offers various portfolio services (including logistics, raw material procurement, working capital access) to drive revenue growth and optimize manufacturing costs.

IIIT Hyderabad Organised Workshop on IoT and oneM2M

IIIT Hyderabad organized a Workshop this weekend on IoT and oneM2M in the city under its college research affiliate program, with support from India-EU ICT standardization collaboration project.

The workshop was organised to train students and faculty of affiliated colleges on the topics of IoT, Smart Cities and oneM2M, encourage them to deploy standard-based solutions in their campuses and to promote standards in their course curriculum.

Six colleges who participated include G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science (GNITS); 2. Vasavi College of Engineering (VCE); Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management (HITAM), K. G. Reddy College of Engineering and Technology; St. Vincent Pallotti College of Engineering, Nagpur, Maharashtra and Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam, Kerala

A total of 115 students and 18 faculty from these six colleges participated in the workshop, which consisted of two days of lectures and hands-on sessions. These students had already completed a MOOC on oneM2M online, where they received support from IIITH mentors for hands-on sessions. The lectures were conducted by IIITH faculty, and one guest-lecture was delivered by Prof. Thierry Monteil, IRIT, Toulouse, France.

Another agenda of this workshop was for participants to take the built solution on Air Pollution Monitoring using IoT and oneM2M and deploy it in their colleges. The students enjoyed the lecture sessions and participated enthusiastically in the project sessions. Students formed 30 teams, consisting of 4-5 students in each team. All the teams successfully completed the IoT and oneM2M based air pollution monitor and now these teams will go and deploy these devices in their colleges and nearby areas.

Mitsubishi Electric India CNC Opens ‘Me-eye Experience Centre’ Offering IoT Solutions for CNC Metal Cutting Industry

An Initiative to develop and offer IoT solutions for the CNC metal cutting industry

Mitsubishi Electric Computerized Numerical Controllers (CNCs) has opened ‘Me-eye Experience Centre’ in Peenya under it’s CNC Technical Centre. This initiative will develop IoT solutions for the CNC metal cutting industry such as user applications via Mobile phone, PC and Web. The state-of-the-art demonstration set up in this new facility is one of its kind and will attract future developments in the era of IoT in the machine tool industry.

Mitsubishi Electric CNC offers advanced CNC control systems to take the machining needs of Industry to higher performance levels. The company supplies CNC package and technologies to various factory machines. Mitsubishi Electric India started It’s CNC manufacturing facility in Peenya, Bengaluru in 2017 to support the ‘Make in India’ initiative and aid industries who want to adapt the latest manufacturing technology.

Like a human eye which performs the function of visualization and transforming complex visuals into simple observation, the “Me-eye” brand will stand for a mission of ‘Visualising problems and realising solutions’ in the CNC and in the related industries. Me-eye will have many IoT projects in the future and few have already started as well. Me-Connect, MT-Connect, Connect2U are just few of the projects that’s being undergoing this initiative.

The Experience Centre also has showcased the Direct Robot Control (DRC) through which a demonstration of controlling a robot from the CNC Controller screen will be done as well. By these Factory Automation Collaborative efforts, Mitsubishi Electric’s esteemed customers will have their best choice in realising the world-class technologies and solutions that are made suitable for the Indian market.

Under the Me-eye Experience Centre, one of the first projects is “Me-Connect”, which is a mobile application for all Mitsubishi Electric CNC users which is the first among Mitsubishi Electric CNC group companies globally. CNC Customer service functions will be accessible through this App such as registration of a service request, warranty and end user’s data etc. The mobile application will help Customers to see the status of their Repair requests and Service/Maintenance personnel will be able to use this technology to remotely keep a track of their machine’s information at all times.

Addressing the “Me-eye Experience Centre” opening event, Mr. Masaya Takeda, General Manager, CNC Department, Mitsubishi Electric India Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are happy to introduce such initiatives because value addition is our major interest through which we make our Customers and Partners happier and more enthusiastic. Through this, we are sure more Machine makers and End users are going to become beneficiaries by using our applications and support. Me-eye will function as an eye to see Customer’s needs/problems, an eye to focus on solutions for the growth of Indian manufacturing sector. We hope this initiative will also be another step towards the Government's ‘Make in India’ mission.”

Mitsubishi Electric India CNC aims to continue partnering India’s dream to be number one by using its sustainable technology, efficient manpower and an innovative approach.