Prof. Sandeep K. Shukla, Director of IIIT Hyderabad, said: “The R&D Showcase reflects the spirit of inquiry and innovation that drives IIIT Hyderabad. It is encouraging to see our researchers engaging with industry, policymakers and the wider public to translate research into meaningful societal impact.”
Technology shouldn’t control us; instead, we should control technology – Prof. Sandeep Shukla, Director, IIIT Hyderabad
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Kalyanaraman said the ANRF serves as India’s primary organisation for funding and supporting research, similar to the National Science Foundation in the United States. Established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023, it replaces the earlier Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).
Hyderabad, 14 March 2026: The 25th edition of the annual R&D Showcase of the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad began on Saturday at the institute’s Gachibowli campus. The two-day flagship event, which concludes on Sunday, has grown into one of the most anticipated research exhibitions, bringing together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and students to explore advances in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, algorithms, robotics and digital public infrastructure.
One of the highlights of the exhibition is an autonomous self-driving wheelchair, designed to enhance mobility for persons with disabilities. Equipped with 3D LiDAR for environmental perception and powered by Jetson Orin running ROS2, the wheelchair enables intelligent navigation with minimal user input. Advanced path planning and obstacle-avoidance systems allow safe and efficient movement in diverse environments.
Visitors also saw innovative robotics projects such as flapping-wing robots and spin drones, alongside architectural models demonstrating traditional earthquake-resilient housing systems such as Kath Kuni houses of Himachal Pradesh, Adobe houses of Rajasthan, and Ikra houses of Assam.
