Chennai, Sep 22: Indian Institute of Technology Madras inaugurated an INR 3.30-crore state-of-the-art robotics laboratory in the campus today.
The laboratory aims to accelerate research, innovation and industry applications in robotics and automation for the construction and infrastructure sectors.
It is being established with CSR support from Bechtel India Private Limited, a global engineering, construction, procurement and project management company.
This strategic collaboration between IIT Madras and Bechtel India, part of the global Bechtel group, aims to develop advanced technological solutions for construction use cases and strengthen the connection between academic research and industry requirements.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean, IIT Madras, IIT Madras faculty members Prof. T. Asokan and Prof. Koshy Varghese, who will lead the lab; Raja Yeluri, managing director, Bechtel India Pvt Ltd. and Ravi Tata, manager, Robotics manager, Bechtel India.
The inauguration was attended by senior representatives from Bechtel, IIT Madras faculty, staff and students, among other members of the Bechtel leadership and project teams.
Emphasising the critical role of the industry in supporting cutting-edge research in academia, Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations, IIT Madras), said,
“Industry–academia partnerships play a pivotal role in advancing research and innovation, especially in niche domains such as robotics and automation in construction. Our partnership with Bechtel will enable IIT Madras to address industry-relevant challenges in construction robotics and automation, while creating opportunities to test, demonstrate, and take promising technologies closer to deployment. We look forward to this collaboration catalysing cutting-edge research and helping build future-ready talent for the sector.”
Speaking about the expected impact of the upcoming lab, Raja Yeluri, managing director, Bechtel India, said,
“This partnership gives IIT Madras students and faculty, and industry engineers a shared space to turn real construction challenges into automated solutions — and to build the talent our industry will need over the next several decades. We are proud to be learning alongside India’s premier institution, and together, shaping the future of construction.”
‘REAL-WORLD PROJECT EXPLORATION’
Through this initiative, IIT Madras and Bechtel India seek to advance the adoption of robotics and automation in construction, strengthen industry-oriented research, and contribute to innovation in India’s infrastructure and engineering ecosystem.
The collaboration will support research and development in construction robotics, automation and advanced construction technologies. It will provide opportunities for real-world project exploration, testing and technology demonstrations, informed by Bechtel’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) expertise.
As part of the partnership, Bechtel India will contribute industry perspectives to curriculum development, facilitate mentorship by industry professionals, and explore internship opportunities at Bechtel offices for selected candidates. The collaboration will also support technical guidance, access to relevant resources and joint innovation activities.
The lab will support joint research, consulting and technology development, leading to research publications, patents, prototypes and industry demonstrations. It will also help students gain exposure to emerging technologies and practical applications. This could support their careers in deep-tech and advanced engineering roles.
The initiative is envisioned as a long-term collaboration, with the potential to support industry-relevant projects and applications over the next five to ten years. It will provide future-ready training and research opportunities for interested students, including master’s students, and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce in construction robotics and related technologies.