On Tuesday, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, and Jal Shakti, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, marked the inauguration of India’s pioneering FutureLABS centre at C-DAC Thiruvananthapuram.
Over 100 students and industry partners attended as the Minister highlighted the centre’s opportunities.
Catalyzing Next-Generation Chip Design
Named “Centre for Semiconductor Chips & Systems for Strategic Electronics,” this centre plays a vital role in fostering an ecosystem for advanced chip design, manufacturing, and research.
Collaborations and Partnerships
During the inauguration, several collaborations were announced, including a partnership between C-DAC (T) and the Ministry of Railways for advancing electric locomotive technologies.
An MoU was also signed between C-DAC(T) and Tata Power for developing and deploying microgrid technologies. Moreover, the technology transfer of an electric vehicle wireless charger to BelRise Industries Limited was announced.
Unveiling Indigenous Technological Solutions
Two indigenously developed technologies were launched:
- Movable Electric Vehicle Charger: Providing roadside assistance to bridge charging infrastructure gaps, ensuring sufficient charge to EVs until reaching the nearest charging point.
- Electric Vehicle DC-DC Converter: Facilitating the conversion of high-voltage power into custom voltage suitable for EVs, featuring easy installation, mounting, and a reliable liquid-cooled system adaptable to various environmental conditions.
Minister’s Vision for Innovation and Collaboration
Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts between government, industry, academia, students, and startups.
He highlighted the potential of digitization, AI, semiconductors, and future electronics for Indian startups and students. He envisioned FutureLABS as pivotal in making Thiruvananthapuram, India’s next innovation hub.
Industry Endorsement
Industry partners present expressed their support for collaborations with C-DAC and praised Minister Chandrasekhar’s leadership.
They highlighted the transformative impact of these initiatives on technology innovation in Kerala and beyond.
- Shri Atul Deshmukh, VP eMobility, Kalyani Powertrain Ltd, emphasized the importance of Minister Chandrasekhar’s support for their endeavors and looked forward to future partnerships.
- Shri Manoj Gupta, CEO, TP Renewable Microgrid Ltd, hailed the historic collaboration between Tata Power and CDAC, highlighting its potential to empower rural communities through microgrid technology.
- Ms. Meenakshi Singh, Director, JMV LPS Ltd, lauded the Minister’s commitment to Digital India and entrepreneurship, citing significant milestones achieved through collaborations with CDAC and Indian Railways.
At the event, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated,
The digitization and digital economies of the world are expanding today at an unprecedented pace. FutureLABS will bring in the next wave of startups, electronic systems, and innovation in Thiruvananthapuram.