Trust in Technology Takes Centre Stage at IIIT Hyderabad’s 25th R&D Showcase

The 25th edition of the annual R&D Showcase of the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT Hyderabad) commenced at the institute’s Gachibowli campus. This two-day flagship event, which concluded on Sunday, has evolved into one of the most anticipated research exhibitions in the region, uniting researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and students to explore advancements in various fields including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, algorithms, robotics, and digital public infrastructure.

Event Overview

The R&D Showcase serves as the institute’s major annual exhibition where faculty and students present their latest research projects, prototypes, and innovations to academia, industry, and the public. This year’s theme, “Trust in Technology – Security, Privacy and Transparency,” featured over 400 research posters, demos, and prototypes from 29 research centers. Visitors had the opportunity to interact directly with researchers and witness how fundamental research is translated into real-world applications.

Keynote and Panel Discussions

The program included spotlight sessions by the Centre for Security, Theory and Algorithmic Research (CSTAR) and the Cyber Manthan Centre (CMC). An inaugural keynote was delivered by Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). In his address, Dr. Kalyanaraman emphasized the role of the ANRF as India’s primary organization for funding and supporting research, akin to the National Science Foundation in the United States. Established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act of 2023, it replaces the earlier Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).

Funding Opportunities and Research Initiatives

Dr. Kalyanaraman highlighted several funding opportunities for universities and colleges, noting that the ANRF aims to strengthen India’s research ecosystem by supporting scientific and technological research across institutions. The foundation promotes collaboration between academia, industry, and government, enhances the research culture in universities—particularly state universities—and supports high-impact research in fields such as:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Space
• Healthcare
• Climate Science
• Engineering

He also shared plans for several upcoming mission-mode programs under the MAHA (Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas) framework, including:

• MAHA Drones
• MAHA G
• MAHA Water
• MAHA Leapfrog Demonstrators for Social Innovation

These initiatives aim to address national challenges through collaborative research involving universities, industry, and government laboratories, focusing on areas such as drone technologies, next-generation communication systems including 6G, sustainable water management, and socially impactful innovations in healthcare, energy, and education.

Reflections from IIIT Hyderabad Leadership

Prof. Sandeep K. Shukla, Director of IIIT Hyderabad, remarked, “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.” He emphasized the event’s theme by stating, “Technology shouldn’t control us; instead, we should control technology.”

Panel Discussion on Cybersecurity

A panel discussion titled “Building Trust in the Indian Cyberspace: Privacy, Security and Transparency in the Era of Emerging Technologies” was moderated by Girish Varma of IIIT Hyderabad. The panelists included:

• P. R. Lakshmi Eswari, Centre Head, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Hyderabad
• Krishna Sastry Pendyala, Partner – Cybersecurity, Ernst & Young
• Deepak Kumar, Director, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology
• M. V. Panduranga Rao, Centre for Cryptography and Cybersecurity, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad

The discussion highlighted critical concerns surrounding cybersecurity and digital trust. Dr. Lakshmi Eswari pointed out that security is often treated as a secondary priority during product design, rather than being integrated from the outset. Prof. Panduranga Rao noted a significant shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals and emphasized the gap between academic curricula and industry requirements. Krishna Sastry Pendyala highlighted the scale of cybercrime in India, revealing that financial losses from cyber threats run into tens of thousands of crores annually. He also raised concerns over major breaches, such as the theft of hundreds of millions of medical records, which pose serious risks to data security and digital trust.

Exhibits and Innovations

Alongside exhibits in AI, robotics, data science, and cybersecurity, the showcase hosted industry-research confluence sessions on themes such as Cybersecurity and Privacy in the AI Era and AI for Theory and Theory for AI. A startup showcase and an industry roundtable on Agentic AI were also part of the event.

One of the highlights of the exhibition was 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 for safe and efficient movement in diverse environments.

Traditional Architecture and Innovation

Visitors also encountered innovative robotics projects such as flapping-wing robots and spin drones. Additionally, architectural models demonstrated traditional earthquake-resilient housing systems, including:

• Kath Kuni houses of Himachal Pradesh
• Adobe houses of Rajasthan
• Ikra houses of Assam

These models illustrate how traditional Indian architecture utilized local materials and ingenious construction techniques to build earthquake-resilient homes long before modern engineering technologies were developed. For instance, Kath Kuni houses employ alternating layers of wood and stone to enhance structural integrity.

Conclusion

The 25th R&D Showcase at IIIT Hyderabad not only highlighted cutting-edge research and innovation but also emphasized the importance of trust in technology. As the world becomes increasingly reliant on digital solutions, fostering a secure, transparent, and privacy-focused technological landscape is essential for societal progress.

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