IEEE Distinguished Lecture Program (DLP) Series | Innovation & AI | Knowledge Sharing | Industry Insights | Grand Success
The IEEE Distinguished Lecture Program (DLP) Series at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham marked another milestone with the successful completion of its third distinguished lecture, organized by the IEEE Computer Society (CS) Student Chapter in collaboration with HuT Labs and the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering.
We were honored to host Mr. Iype P Joseph, Manager – Applied AI in Radio at Ericsson, Ottawa, Canada, and a distinguished Amrita alumnus (ECE 2010 batch). His session on “Innovation and AI in Today’s Workplace” provided valuable perspectives on how cutting-edge AI technologies are transforming modern industries and redefining innovation.
The lecture witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large number of students and faculty members, making it an engaging and interactive session. Participants gained meaningful insights into real-world applications, industry expectations, and future trends in AI.
The event stands as a testament to the commitment of IEEE, HuT Labs, and the ECE Department in fostering knowledge exchange and bridging the gap between academia and industry.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the speaker for his inspiring talk and to all participants for contributing to the grand success of the session.
Innovation & AI | Knowledge Sharing | Industry Insights | Grand Success
The IEEE Distinguished Lecture Program (DLP) Series at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham marked yet another significant milestone with the successful completion of its third distinguished lecture. The event was organized by the IEEE Computer Society (CS) Student Chapter in collaboration with HuT Labs and the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering.
We were privileged to host Mr. Iype P Joseph, Manager – Applied AI in Radio at Ericsson, Ottawa, Canada, and a distinguished alumnus of Amrita (ECE 2010 batch). His insightful session on “Innovation and AI in Today’s Workplace” offered valuable perspectives on how advanced AI technologies are shaping modern industries and driving innovation across sectors.
The lecture witnessed enthusiastic participation from students and faculty members, creating a highly engaging and interactive learning environment. Attendees gained meaningful insights into real-world applications of AI, evolving industry expectations, and emerging technological trends.
This event stands as a testament to the continued efforts of IEEE, HuT Labs, and the Department of ECE in fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening the connection between academia and industry.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the speaker for his inspiring session and to all participants for contributing to the grand success of the event.
The IEEE Distinguished Lecture Program (DLP) Series at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham continues to inspire innovation with the successful completion of its second session. The event was organized by the IEEE Student Branch in collaboration with HuT Labs and the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering.
We were honored to host Prof. Edson Bortoni from Universidade Federal de Itajubá (UNIFEI), Brazil, who delivered an insightful lecture on “Hydropower Operation Optimization Using Machine Learning” on 7th April 2026.
The session provided a compelling exploration of how Machine Learning is revolutionizing hydropower systems by enabling smarter decision-making, enhancing operational efficiency, and promoting sustainable energy management. Participants gained valuable exposure to advanced research developments and real-world applications that are shaping the future of energy systems.
The lecture fostered engaging discussions and inspired students and researchers to explore interdisciplinary innovations at the convergence of Artificial Intelligence and energy technologies.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Prof. Edson Bortoni for his enlightening session and to all participants for contributing to its success. We look forward to many more impactful and knowledge-driven sessions under the IEEE DLP Series.
The IEEE Distinguished Lecture Program (DLP) Series at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham began on a high note with the successful completion of its inaugural session. The event was organized by the IEEE Student Branch in collaboration with HuT Labs and the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, with this session being hosted by the IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Affinity Group.
We were privileged to have Prof. Maryam Shojaei Bhagini, Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay, deliver an inspiring and technically enriching lecture on “Energy Harvesting for Sensor Nodes and Custom On-chip Power Management” on 10 March 2026, conducted in online mode.
The session provided deep insights into RF energy harvesting, CMOS-based circuit design, and efficient power management techniques for low-power sensor systems. It effectively bridged fundamental concepts with practical implementations, highlighting recent advancements in energy-efficient electronics. Participants gained valuable exposure to RF-based AC to DC conversion architectures, on-chip power management strategies, and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques for ultra-low power applications.
The lecture was highly engaging and well-received, inspiring students and researchers to explore innovations in sustainable and low-power electronic systems.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Prof. Maryam Shojaei Bhagini for her insightful session and to all participants for their enthusiastic involvement in making this inaugural lecture a grand success. We look forward to many more enriching sessions under the IEEE DLP Series.
By Amma’s grace, we are proud to share a significant research milestone achieved by our team.
The research paper titled “Advancements in Control Interfaces for Powered Wheelchairs: A Comparative Review of Usability, Accuracy, and User Satisfaction” has been accepted for publication in the prestigious Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR Publications), a globally reputed Q1-ranked journal in Medical Informatics and Health Services Research.
With an impact factor of 6.2 and a strong Scopus ranking, JMIR is recognized as one of the leading journals in the domain of eHealth and digital healthcare innovation. This achievement highlights the quality, relevance, and global impact of the research carried out by our team.
The work focuses on advancements in assistive technologies, particularly in enhancing the usability, accuracy, and overall user experience of powered wheelchair control systems. It contributes meaningfully toward the development of inclusive and user-centric healthcare solutions.
We are proud to share a significant milestone in international research collaboration achieved by our team.
A Joint Research Proposal titled “Interactive Robotic Wheelchair with Collaborative Robotic Arm for Proactive Interaction through Spatial Awareness in Navigation and Object Handling for Enhanced Service” (TPN No. 111779) has been recommended for funding of ₹35 Lakhs (India side) for a duration of two years under the India–Sri Lanka Joint Call 2024, with matching support from the Sri Lankan counterpart.
Principal Investigators:
About the Project:
This collaborative research focuses on the development of an interactive robotic wheelchair integrated with a collaborative robotic arm, powered by spatial awareness to enable intelligent navigation and efficient object handling. The system is envisioned to support proactive human–robot interaction, assist users in performing daily activities with greater independence, and enhance assistive services for individuals with mobility challenges.
The project also aims to contribute significantly to advancements in healthcare robotics and inclusive technologies, addressing real-world challenges through innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
We are delighted to commemorate 25 glorious years of excellence, innovation, and impact of the IEEE Student Branch at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus. The Silver Jubilee Celebrations were inaugurated on February 09, 2026, at Amriteshwari Hall, marking a significant milestone in the journey of IEEE at Amrita.
The event, organized by Humanitarian Technology (HuT) Labs and the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), celebrated a rich legacy of technological advancement and humanitarian contributions under IEEE. The occasion was graced by esteemed dignitaries and featured inspiring expert talks from distinguished leaders across academia and industry.
Chief Guest:
Guest of Honour:
Expert Talks Included:
A special highlight of the celebration was the distribution of IEEE Solar Fruit Dryer projects to beneficiaries, reflecting the spirit of service, sustainability, and innovation that defines the IEEE Student Branch at Amrita.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the distinguished guests, faculty members, and students whose presence and contributions made this Silver Jubilee inauguration a grand success.
HuT Labs is proud to announce a significant research achievement with the acceptance of the paper titled “Low-light VRU Detection Using Channel-Attention Zero-DCE++ with Raspberry Pi Deployment” for publication in the prestigious Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives journal by Elsevier.
This globally recognized Q1 journal is known for its high impact in interdisciplinary transportation research, making this accomplishment a noteworthy milestone for the team.
Publication Details:
Authors:
About the Research:
This work focuses on the application of advanced deep learning techniques to detect Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) in low-light conditions—one of the critical challenges in road safety systems. By integrating Channel-Attention mechanisms with Zero-DCE++ and deploying the solution on Raspberry Pi, the research demonstrates an efficient, real-time, and cost-effective approach for edge-based intelligent systems.
The study highlights how AI-driven innovations can significantly improve detection accuracy in challenging environments, contributing toward safer transportation systems and smarter mobility solutions.
We are proud to share a remarkable achievement by students from the SMART Center, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, who have demonstrated exceptional innovation and technical excellence at the Virtual Vahana 2026 – ADAS Competition, conducted by Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore, on March 28, 2026.
Two teams from the SMART Center successfully advanced to the final round of this prestigious national-level competition after three rounds, showcasing their expertise in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Competing against top institutions from across the country, both teams delivered outstanding performances and secured the 2nd and 3rd prizes in the final round. This achievement highlights the strength of our hands-on learning approach, interdisciplinary collaboration, and commitment to cutting-edge research and development in intelligent mobility solutions.
Team 1: (2nd PRIZE)
Team 2: (3rd PRIZE)
We congratulate both teams on bringing laurels to the institution and setting an inspiring example for their peers.
Humanitarian Technology (HuT) Labs is delighted to share that Dr. Sakthiprasad Kuttankulangara Manoharan was part of Vismaya 2026, the summer camp organized by Mata Amritanandamayi Math.
From May 1st to May 5th, 2026, interactive sessions on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence were conducted for senior students in the age group of 13–16 years.
The sessions provided an exciting platform to introduce students to emerging technologies, innovation, and real-world applications of Robotics and AI. The enthusiasm, curiosity, and active participation of the students made the experience truly inspiring and memorable.
Initiatives like Vismaya 2026 play a vital role in nurturing creativity, scientific thinking, and technological awareness among young learners, motivating them to explore research and innovation in the future.
We sincerely thank Mata Amritanandamayi Math, the organizers of Vismaya 2026, and Amrita LEAP for this wonderful opportunity and for organizing such a meaningful initiative for students.
On 06.05.2026, Humanitarian Technology (HuT) Labs was delighted to be part of “Kaliyil Alpam Kaaryam – Season 2”, the summer camp organized by Amrita TV at Kottayam.
As part of the camp activities, Dr. Sakthiprasad Kuttankulangara Manoharan conducted interactive sessions on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, introducing students to emerging technologies and real-world innovations shaping the future.
One of the major highlights of the session was the live demonstration of the Search and Rescue Robot developed at HuT Labs. The enthusiasm, curiosity, and excitement shown by the students while interacting with the robot made the session truly memorable and inspiring.
The camp provided a wonderful platform to encourage young learners to explore STEM, innovation, and technology through hands-on experiences and engaging discussions.
We sincerely thank Amrita TV and the organizers for this meaningful opportunity and for conducting such a well-organized and impactful program for students.
Special appreciation to Kevin and Pranav from HuT Labs for their support during the robot demonstration session.
We are proud to share that Dr. Rajesh Kannan Megalingam, Director, HuT Labs, delivered the Keynote Address at ARAIS 2026 – Symposium on Advanced Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, held at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore, on May 7, 2026.
The symposium brought together leading researchers, innovators, and experts from across the globe to discuss the latest advancements and future directions in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
Dr. Rajesh Kannan Megalingam’s keynote highlighted emerging trends, impactful innovations, and the growing role of intelligent robotic systems in addressing real-world challenges.
This achievement reflects the continued global presence and research contributions of HuT Labs in the domains of advanced robotics, AI, and humanitarian technologies.
Congratulations to Dr. Rajesh Kannan Megalingam on this prestigious recognition and contribution to the international research community.
We are delighted to share that, by Amma’s grace, a research paper titled:
“Hybrid CNN–GCN Network with Dynamic Gating and Scale-Aware Preprocessing for Pedestrian Crossing Intention Prediction in Indian Road Conditions” has been accepted for publication in Scientific Reports, a prestigious journal published by Springer Nature with an Impact Factor of 3.9 and ranked Q1 (Scopus 89 percentile).
This research contributes towards advancing intelligent transportation systems and AI-driven pedestrian safety solutions tailored for Indian road environments.
Heartfelt congratulations to:
for this outstanding research achievement and contribution to innovative mobility and AI technologies.
A proud milestone for SMART Center and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in the field of intelligent systems and impactful research.
By Amma’s grace, a research paper titled: “FUZZY BASED CONTROL STRATEGY AND DYNAMIC TORQUE ADJUSTMENT IN A FOUR WHEELED COCONUT TREE CLIMBER” as part of the ACORD Center, has been accepted for publication in the prestigious Journal of Field Robotics, published by Wiley, with an Impact Factor of 5.2 and ranked Q1.
This research focuses on advanced intelligent control strategies and dynamic torque optimization for robotic coconut tree climbing systems, contributing towards safer, efficient, and technology-driven agricultural automation solutions.
Heartfelt congratulations to:
for this outstanding achievement and valuable research contribution.
A proud milestone for ACORD Center and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in the field of robotics, automation, and intelligent agricultural technologies.
We are delighted to share a proud milestone from HuT Labs!
Warm greetings from HuT Labs and the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus.
It gives us immense pleasure to announce that Dr. Rajesh Kannan, Director, HuT Labs (Principal Investigator), and Dr. Remya, Chair, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (Co-Principal Investigator), have been awarded a prestigious research grant of ₹10 Lakhs from IHub-Data, IIIT Hyderabad for a one-year project.
Project Title: Smart 6-DOF Robotic Arm for Independent Living
This impactful initiative focuses on developing user-centric assistive robotic solutions aimed at supporting individuals with mobility challenges and motor impairments, particularly within the Indian context.
The proposed system envisions a collaborative robotic arm designed to assist with essential daily activities such as:
By enhancing proactive human–robot interaction, this project is set to contribute significantly to advancements in healthcare robotics and inclusive technologies.
Hearty congratulations to Dr. Rajesh Kannan, Dr. Remya, and the entire team on this remarkable achievement!
Special appreciation to Dr. Sakthiprasad K M, Scientist, HuT Labs, for his leadership in successfully spearheading the proposal submission.
We look forward to the impactful outcomes of this project in transforming lives through innovation and technology.
Celebrating 25 years IEEE Student Branch at Amritapuri Campus!
Warm greetings from the IEEE Student Branch, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus, HuT Labs and Dept of ECE.
It gives us immense pleasure to invite you to the Inauguration of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations marking 25 years of IEEE at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus. The IEEE Student Branch, launched in 2002, has grown into a vibrant platform for technical excellence, leadership, and professional development. While the Silver Jubilee year falls in 2027, the celebrations will commence in 2026 with 25 diverse technical and professional events, culminating in a grand mega event in 2027.
The inauguration of the Silver Jubilee celebrations will be held on Monday, February 09, 2026, from 1.30 PM to 4.30 PM at Amriteshwari Hall. We are honoured to have Mr. Ramesh N. Nair, Vice President, IEEE-USA (2025) and Senior EDA Tools Hardware Engineer, California, USA, as the Chief Guest. We are also privileged to have Dr. Manoj B. S., Chair, IEEE Kerala Section and Associate Dean, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Kerala, as the Guest of Honour.
The inaugural session will be followed by technical talks by eminent speakers from the IEEE Kerala Section, offering valuable insights into emerging technologies, research trends, and professional opportunities within IEEE. We cordially invite students, faculty members, researchers, alumni, and IEEE members to join us for this memorable occasion and be part of the journey as we celebrate 25 years of IEEE
By Amma’s grace and blessings, we are proud to announce that the team Na-Sarathy, a team of 31 students and researchers from HuT Labs, ECE Dept., has qualified for round 2 of the Indy Autonomous Challenge to compete in the world’s first $1.5 million autonomous racecar competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
HuT Labs team Na-Sarathy from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Indy Autonomous Team registered successfully to compete in the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), organized by Energy Systems Network (ESN) and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). In total, 37 universities worldwide that excel in AI software and autonomous vehicle engineering have formed 31 teams to officially enter this first-of-its-kind challenge. Only two universities qualified for this racecar competition from India, we are one among the five from Asia.
The IAC is a $1.5 million prize competition among universities to program autonomous-modified Dallara IL-15 racecars. The teams will compete in the world’s first head-to-head race at speeds of up to 200 mph around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 23, 2021
Student Team Members:
S8 ECE: Nikhil Chowdary, Jahnavi Yannam, Raviteja Geesala, Rohith Raj RV, Manaswini Motheram, Akhil Masetti, Akhil Tammana, Ravi Kiran Pasumarthi
S6 ECE: Santosh Tantravani, Hemanth Tammana, NagasaiThokala, Sreevatsava Reddy Musani, Rahul Puram, Naveen Samudrala, Hemanth Nidamanuru, Lokesh Gadde, Rohit Inti
S4 ECE: Avinash Hegde Kota, Vijaya Krishna Tejaswi P, Vineeth prithvi Darla, Chaitanya N, Anirudh Dasari, Sriram Chowdary, MuneeshPuligundla
We are extremely happy to share the news that by Amma’s grace HuT Lab’s first US patent got approved. The patent is titled “Method and Apparatus for Wireless Network-Based Control of a Robotic Machine” with the patent number numberUS20190069483.
We offer this patent at Amma’s lotus feet for She who gave us this idea of building the unmanned robotic coconut tree climber and personally guided us all through these years and still guiding us.
We thank Sw. Devidas Chaitanya, Director of our Campus for all the support that he is providing us. We also thank all others who supported us directly or indirectly in achieving this. Special thanks to Ms. Salma, the patent officer for all her help in filing this patent and getting approval.
By Amma’s grace and hard work of students and researchers at HuT Labs, following three project entries get into the semifinals of the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge 2020.
Amaran: Unmanned Robotic Coconut Tree Climber and Harvester
Team: Sakthiprasad K M, Avinash Hegde (S4 ECE) and Vijaya Krishna Tejaswi (S4 ECE)
Karachara: Hand Orthotic Device for Stroke Patients
Team: Shree Rajesh Raagul V, Pavanth Chenna Reddy, Sai Muneesh (S4 ECE) and Sri Ram (S4 ECE)
Suraksha: Crop Protection from Animal Attacks.
Team: Mahendran J, Arjun S, Samudrala Naveen (S6 ECE) and Sreevatsava Reddy (S6 ECE)
From a pool of more than 500 submissions all over the world, only 49 entries got selected for the semi finals. And HuT labs submitted six entries in total and got three of them in the semifinal 49 entries. Thanks to all those who worked extremely hard towards achieving this.
Special thanks to Vipin Pavithran who encouraged us to submit the entries.
By Amma’s grace and hard work of the students at HuT labs, two teams of BTech ECE students, PARICHARYA and VIJAYANTA won 2.25 million Japanese Yen (approx. 15 lakhs INR) towards participating in 2020 World Robot Summit in Japan next year. While team PARICHARYA won one million JPY, team VIJAYANTA won 1.25 million JPY. Of 119 professional teams that applied from all over world these two teams from HuT Labs are the only teams from India to qualify for the finals to be held in Japan next year. Team PARICHARYA will take part in Future Convenience Store Challenge in Oct 2020 and team VIAJANTA in Standard Disaster Robotic Challenge in Oct 2020. They will compete with top class professional teams from all over the world.
PARICHARYA: Akhil T, Rohith Raj, Akhil M, Nikhil C, Vignesh SN, Jahnavi Y, Manaswini M (S8 ECE) VIJAYANTA: Nagasai C, Santosh T, Hemanth Surya, Rahul P, Naveen S, Sreevatsava M, Hemanth N, Lokesh G (S6 ECE)
