Team Alpha, comprising of Computer Engineering-AI/BDA students from Rajkot-based Marwadi University (MU), Gujarat’s only NAAC A+ accredited University, is among the top 50 teams qualifying for Flipkart GRiD 3.0 Robotics Challenge, selected from a pool of 10,000 teams pan-India. Testing the students on their technical, analytical, and ideation skills, Flipkart has selected the MU Team for a solution based on the Deep Learning model. Participants of this challenge are expected to build robots (both hardware and software) that can help solve real world problems.
Team Alpha created a deep learning model using the ‘Customized Yolo’ algorithm, used to detect the robot in a pre-defined arena. Mounted cameras were used to detect and analyse the arena and the entire live feed was processed with the aid of a supercomputer. This was all done in real-time on the internet via OPENCV, a library of programming functions mainly aimed at real-time computer vision, coordinate mapping and socket programming.
Team Alpha, comprises of Marwadu University computer engineering students, Bhavdeep Singh Krishnawat, Raj Panjwani, Rishabh Sharma, Nikita Daredi, Smriti Chudasama and Jahanavi Dudala
pursuing their B.Tech at MU. The team is guided by Akshay Ranpariya, Data Scientist at Marwadi University, CE-AI/BDA Department; Dr. Vijay Katkar, Associate Professor, with early guidance from,
Dr. Madhu Shukla, Head CE-AI/BDA and Mr. Mayur Vadher.
Dr Vijay Katkar, Associate Professor, Marwadi University, added that, “There is a huge scope for career progression, with many Indian robotics start-ups developing solutions that are revolutionizing retail, logistics and e-commerce. I wanted to congratulate Team Alpha for proving their mettle in a highly competitive environment. There is an urgent need to integrate hands-on industry exposure in robotics education.”
The Challenge, open to all engineering students across branches, with the aim of promoting ideation within the growing field of robotics and automation, as it is a crucial element in the growing complexity of large scale inventory and supply chain management, manufacturing, and medicine, among others.
Akshay Ranpariya, Data Scientist, Marwadi University, said “A career in robotics, both software and hardware, is much sought-after among engineering candidates. Hackathons like the Flipkart GRiD 3.0 Robotics Challenge inspire creativity and enhance problem-solving skills in the minds of tomorrow’s industry leaders. We wish Team Alpha all the best.”
Team Alpha from MU will now also be mentored by an external mentor from “Flipkart GRiD 3.0” team in and present their unique solution to a panel of domain experts in the next round. The next round of presentations will take place on 12th January 2022, following which the final winners will be announced.