The IIT Tirupati Technology Innovation Hub

Newsletter : August 2025

Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF)

The Darshak is the newsletter of the IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF), dedicated to advancing Positioning and Precision Technologies (PPTs) such as remote sensing, GIS, GNSS and other non-invasive technologies. These technologies are crucial for analyzing and managing spatial and temporal data, aiding decision-making in sectors like agriculture, natural resource management, and disaster management. The hub also explores new frontiers in indoor positioning, timing and underwater navigation technologies. 

This newsletter covers our activities for August 2025. We will issue another newsletter for September 2025, thereafter, we hope to release The Darshak every quarter. 

IITTNiF fosters innovation through a comprehensive technology lifecycle approach encompassing Knowledge, Development, Translation, and Commercialization. By aligning with initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, the TIH aims to enhance self-reliance in PPTs and contribute to the national startup ecosystem.

The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) under the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, leverages CPS technologies through 25 TIHs across India, each focused on a specific technology vertical.

Incorporated in December 2020, as a Section 8 company under IIT Tirupati, this Hub is fortunate to be located within the impressive IIT Tirupati campus and enjoys full support from IIT Tirupati, including guidance and leadership from the Director of IIT Tirupati and the Hub Governing Body. The leadership team also includes the Project Director, Dr. Roshan K Srivastav, Associate Professor at IIT Tirupati, and the CEO, Major General M. Rajendran (Retd.), who leads a vibrant and energetic team called Team Navavishkar.
The Board of Directors at IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF) includes distinguished individuals such as Prof. K. N. Satyanarayana, the Director of IIT Tirupati; Dr. E. Anil Kumar, the Dean SRC at IIT Tirupati; Dr. Ajit T. Kalghatgi, a Non-Executive Director at Antrix Corporation Limited; Maj. Gen. Dr. R. Siva Kumar (Retd.), the Director Emeritus at Open Geospatial Consortium; Dr. Y. V. N. Krishna Murthy, an Academic Representative from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology; and Dr. Roshan K. Srivastav, Associate Professor at IIT Tirupati in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. These experts collectively drive the foundations mission of innovation and growth in the PPT sector.

Mr. Varadrajan Krishna Iyer, is our Senior Advisor, Innovation & Entrepreneurship. He is a Corporate Executive turned global serial tech entrepreneur with multiple exits and currently involved actively in the startups ecosystem.

IITTNiF leverages public-private partnerships to foster innovation and support sustainable growth through advanced technologies under the verticals of Technology Development, Startups and Entrepreneurship, Human Resource and Skill Development, and Collaborations.

In This Edition

The lab is currently progressing on the development of Navi360, an innovative virtual tour platform. The platform is being designed to provide an engaging and intuitive way to explore the interior space. Alongside the standard virtual tour, we are also working on a VR-enabled version to further enhance immersion and usability, enabling users to interact with the environment in a highly realistic manner.
As part of the ongoing development, we are integrating interior plans and movement paths so that user navigation is synchronized with the orientation of the 360� frames, ensuring a natural and seamless walkthrough experience. By combining photogrammetry and VR technologies, our team is actively building a scalable framework that can support interactive spatial experiences for larger and more complex environments in the future.

In August 2025, the LiDAR Lab at IITTNiF achieved a key milestone by configuring the Acousto-Optic Modulator (AOM) experimental setup, laying the foundation for the upcoming AOM Online Certification Course. A visit to IISc Bengaluru, guided by Dr. Varun Raghunathan and Dr. Prawin Angel Michael, provided valuable exposure to advanced lab practices that shaped the implementation strategy. The setup currently integrates the AOM crystal, RF driver, and laser source, with testing underway to optimize diffraction efficiency, alignment, and modulation stability. This progress strengthens experimental infrastructure and fosters a structured, hands-on training ecosystem for students and researchers in emerging optics technologies.

On 1st August 2025, Mr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of ANRF, visited IITTNiF and held an insightful discussion with Dr. Roshan Srivastav. During his tour of the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) laboratories, he was briefed on pioneering initiatives in Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) technologies, geospatial intelligence, AI-driven solutions, and remote sensing applications. The visit underscored the role of these labs as foundational pillars for emerging technology development and application buildingdirectly contributing to the national vision of Viksit Bharat. A highlight of the visit was the showcase of diverse datasets developed at the lab. Mr. Kalyanaraman emphasized the significance of creating open datasets to empower the Indian youth, fostering innovation and inclusive participation in nation-building. His guidance reaffirmed IITTNiFs mission to amplify the reach and impact of its innovation ecosystem across the country.

On August 4, 2025, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Honble Governor of Odisha, visited the IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF) and engaged with the team. He toured the Hubs state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories, where he was briefed on ongoing projects and curated datasets driving innovation. Dr. Kambhampati lauded the contributions of the labs in advancing emerging technologies and impactful applications aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat. He urged the team to continue fostering innovation with a focus on societal impact, research excellence, and youth empowerment, emphasizing the role of technology in shaping Indias national development.

On August 8, 2025, Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education (SAHE), Vijayawada, hosted an interactive session with Dr. Roshan Srivastav, engaging 40 faculty members in discussions on innovative project ideas. Key themes included computer visionbased indoor solutions, BIM for urban climate, quantum navigation, and indoor sensor development.

Dr. Roshan provided tailored guidance, encouraging practical applicability and innovation. The session also explored a potential collaborative program between SAHE and IITTNiF to strengthen research partnerships. Introducing the Research2Market concept, Dr. Srivastav highlighted pathways for translating academic research into impactful, market-ready solutions, leaving participants motivated and inspired.

On August 16, 2025, Dr. P. Srinivasulu, Associate Director, National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSCISRO), visited the IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF). He was given a detailed walkthrough of the Hubs facilities and laboratories by Dr. Roshan Srivastav, who showcased the diverse projects and innovations underway. Dr. Srinivasulu was briefed on IITTNiFs cutting-edge work in geospatial intelligence, positioning technologies, and applied research, reinforcing the Hubs commitment to advancing Indias technological capabilities. He appreciated the Hubs efforts in strengthening the nations innovation ecosystem and fostering impactful solutions for future societal and industrial applications.

On August 28, 2025, the Department of Science & Technology (DST) convened a high-level brainstorming session at NIAS, Bengaluru, bringing together over 35 delegates from academia, industry, and government.

Dr. Roshan Srivastav, Project Director, IITTNiF, represented the Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Tirupati and served as rapporteur for the theme on Natural Resource Data Management. He highlighted the role of startups in proof-of-concepts, dataset accessibility, and capacity building through a top-down approach. The session also explored urban 3D and digital twins, foundational datasets, satellite/model applications, geodesy, and disruptive strategies, charting a collaborative roadmap for Indias geospatial innovation ecosystem.

On August 9, 2025, IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF) inaugurated its first Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Lab under the NM-ICPS mission at Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education (SAHE), Vijayawada. The lab aims to strengthen Indias PNT ecosystem, offering students and researchers hands-on experience in satellite navigation, geospatial analytics, and real-time positioning technologies. The inauguration was graced by Mr. P. V. Ramana Murty and Dr. Roshan Srivastav, who encouraged leveraging the facility for innovation. In its first initiative, 20 students joined internships through IITTNiFs START program, making the lab a launchpad for young innovators in PNT technologies.

Under its unique initiative of establishing PNT Labs across India, IITTNiF inaugurated its 2nd PNT Lab at JAIN (Deemed-to-be) University, Bengaluru. The inauguration was graced by Dr. Venkat, Technology Manager (CV), IITTNiF, Dr. Sagar Gulati, Director  School of Computing, JAIN University, along with the PI and Co-PI of the PNT Lab.

In addition, the IITTNiF team comprising Dr. Venkat and Ms. Chandana Sree conducted a preliminary review of the projects undertaken by students selected under the STARPNT internship challenge at the PNT Lab, JAIN University.

As part of its nationwide initiative to establish PNT Labs, IITTNiF inaugurated its third Precision Navigation and Timing (PNT) Lab at Santhiram Engineering College, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh. This milestone reinforces IITTNiFs commitment to advancing geospatial and timing technologies across India. The inauguration ceremony was graced by Dr. Venkat, Technology Manager (CV), IITTNiF; Dr. MV Subramanyam, Principal of Santhiram Engineering College; and Dr. Sowmya, Dean of R&D. The new lab aims to foster academic-industry collaboration, hands-on learning, and innovation in PNT technologies, empowering students and researchers to contribute to Indias digital and strategic infrastructure goals.

The Ideathon for Viksit Bharat 2025, jointly organized by IITTNiF and NRSCISRO in collaboration with InSpace and ISRS, was successfully held at IIT Tirupati on August 1617, 2025.

The event, powered by Geo-Intel Lab and supported by leading industry and academic partners including HYFIX India, Esri India, AllTerra India, SAHE, CBIT, BVRIT, SIA-India, and iSpace, witnessed an overwhelming response with 496 teams from 20+ states. Of these, 100 teams presented on campus, and 40 outstanding teams were recognized with awards ranging from Innovation Champion to Recognition.

Highlights included expert talks, hands-on mentoring, school competitions, and industry showcases, creating a vibrant ecosystem for learning, collaboration, and innovation.

The Computer Vision Lab at IITTNiF conducted a two-day hands-on workshop, From Pixel to Perception: Python for Vision AI, for undergraduate students at Santhiram Engineering College, Nandyal. Dr. Venkat introduced key Python librariesMatplotlib, NumPy, OpenCV, and TensorFlowwith practical demonstrations. Nearly 100 students from ECE, CSEData Science, and CSEAI & ML participated, gaining exposure to both fundamentals and real-world Vision AI applications.

The workshop also contributed to the Sustainable PNT Lab, raising �66,000 for advanced equipment procurement and future fellowships in the PNT sector.

The Computer Vision Lab at IITTNiF successfully launched a coding challenge titled Smart Number Plate Extract at the PNT Lab, Santhiram Engineering College, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh.

The challenge focuses on developing a robust character and number extraction model from vehicle number plates in video streams. Students who perform well in this challenge will be selected for the prestigious STARPNT Internship at the PNT Lab, Santhiram Engineering College.
This initiative was designed and launched by Dr. Venkat (Technology Manager  CV, IITTNiF) in coordination with Ms. Chandana Sree (Assistant Coordinator  HRD, IITTNiF), aiming to nurture young talent and provide them with hands-on exposure to real-world PNT applications.

Maj Gen M Rajendran (Ret), CEO of TIH  IIT Tirupati, visited the District Forest Office (DFO), Palakkad, to review progress under the Forest Asset Management Project. The visit included discussions with forest officials on the implementation strategy, data collection framework, and integration of geospatial technologies for effective forest resource monitoring. A drone flying session was also conducted to demonstrate field-level data acquisition and mapping capabilities, showcasing the practical application of technology in supporting sustainable forest management initiatives.

Two impactful sessions were recently conducted under the GeoLeap Accelerator program:
" Valuation and Investment Aspects by Mr. Shamik
" Building Effective Startup Pitch Decks by Ms. Kalpana Sindhu (IITTNiF)
These sessions provided startups with valuable insights on investment readiness and refining their pitch narratives. They also created a platform for interactive discussions where founders received practical guidance tailored to their business needs. The sessions mark an important step in strengthening the entrepreneurial journey of participating startups under Operation Dronagiri

Funding Updates  ESS Startups
The process for the second tranche of funding for ESS startups has been initiated. Collection and verification of Utilization Certificate (UC) documentation are currently underway to ensure smooth and timely disbursement.

Dr. Abijith Devanantham

Technology Manager - GIS & RS

At IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF), the GIS and Remote Sensing Lab is at the forefront of harnessing geospatial technologies for societal and national impact. In alignment with the National Geospatial Policy (NGP 2022) and the vision of Viksit Bharat, we are advancing research, innovation, and applications that address critical challenges in remote sensing.

We are leading mission-oriented projects in flood mapping, and urban resilience by integrating multi-source satellite data, UAV-based mapping, and AI-driven analytics. The lab also supports deep-tech entrepreneurs through Operation Dronagiri and other accelerator programs, enabling real-world applications of geospatial data in priority sectors.

Through training programs and workshops, we are equipping students, researchers, and professionals with advanced skills in GIS, remote sensing, and machine learning, ensuring a strong and future-ready talent pipeline. By partnering with academia, government, and industry, we continue to foster a collaborative ecosystem for data sharing, co-development, and geospatial innovation.

With rapid advancements in AI/ML, SAR applications, UAV mapping, and digital twin technologies, the lab remains committed to building a future-ready geospatial ecosystem. As Manager, I look forward to continuing this journey and translating innovation into solutions that contribute to sustainable development and national priorities.

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This concludes this edition of our newsletter. We appreciate your engagement and support in our ongoing collaborations and innovations. Stay connected for future updates on our initiatives and advancements. We look forward to sharing more in the next edition.

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