Karnataka Government funded ARTPARK–IISc has received approval from the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) to set up an industry accelerator (CAMRAS) for technology development in robotics and autonomous systems. 

ARTPARK–IISc aims to reduce the import footprint of robotic and autonomous systems, drones, motors, electronic regulators, printed circuits, while readying the next generation companies estimated to be worth thousands of crores in these chosen focus areas.

The organisation will also spearhead a skilling programme to train 2,800 professionals in the field of next generation advance manufacturing for robotics and autonomous technologies by 2025. Five of ARTPARK’s pre-ventures in the areas of Advanced Cargo drones, Robotic Actuators, Legged Robots, Autonomous Systems charging and intelligent controllers will form an MHI Accelerator named ‘Centre for Advanced Manufacturing for Robotics and Autonomous Systems’ (CAMRAS).

The MHI approval comes under the component of “Setting up of ten industry Accelerators for Technology Development” of the Scheme for Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector- Phase-II notified earlier this year. MHI has been providing strong momentum under its various schemes to drive manufacturing leadership for India globally, aligned to Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives.

Set up in 2020, ARTPARK–IISc is India’s first AI and Robotics Technology Park and aims at promoting technology innovations in AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Robotics, leading to societal impact by implementing projects in healthcare, education, mobility, infrastructure, agriculture, retail, and cyber-security focusing on problems unique to India. 

Promoted by IISc and supported by AI-foundry, it has received a seed funding of INR 230 crore from the Department of Science and Technology (GoI) and Government of Karnataka.

Commenting on the development, Dr. C N Ashwath Narayan, Minister for IT and BT, Science and Technology, Higher Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Government of Karnataka said, “I’m delighted to see ARTPARK lighting the path to developing new age technology. It is a fine example of how public–private partnerships can truly shape the industry and bring about a massive change in strengthening India’s domestic capabilities in key high-tech sectors. It is a proud moment for the Government of Karnataka to see a foundation it has nurtured to grow and succeed within two years of inception. We will continue to be forthcoming in encouraging innovation and facilitating new start-ups.”

Prashanth Prakash, Accel Partners, Chairman, Karnataka Vision Group on Startups, Board Member ARTPARK said, “To stay ahead of the game, we need to replicate what Bangalore did with IT in emerging technologies like robotics, drones and advanced mobility. ARTPARK–IISc has made significant progress and has been involved in path-breaking work in the Robotics & Artificial Intelligence space. We are confident that we will make large strides in digital manufacturing and build greater flexibility and efficiency in next-generation manufacturing areas. Our focus will be to bring the next wave of innovations to the industry and create a modern manufacturing ecosystem centered on assisted and autonomous intelligent systems.”

Umakant Soni, CEO, ARTPARK said, “Robotics and autonomous systems like drones will create a new economy value which is north of $300bn and will be heralding the high-value jobs and IP creation opportunity for Indian ecosystem. The CAMRAS accelerator support from the Ministry of Heavy Industry (MHI) in a public private model is visionary and is going to seed a critical ecosystem for #AatmaNirbharBharat”.

MHI, under its scheme, has appointed a distinguished Project Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC) to provide enablement and assessment of these programmes at ARTPARK–IISc.