DST allocates Rs 7.25 crore for IIT-Mandi to start technology innovation hub

India Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi has been allocated Rs 7.25 crore by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to start a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at the institute. As a part of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), the initiative has taken place. According to the institute, the major emphasis of the TIH would be on human-computer interaction (HCI) research. The projects will stress on the study of the interaction between humans (users) and computers and design & development of computer technology (interfaces). Apart from this, the TIH will emphasise on human resource & skill development, entrepreneurship and partnership with other leading institutions.

As a field of research, human-computer interaction (HCI) is placed at the juncture of behavioural sciences, computer science, design and media studies among others. A few of the technologies will put emphasis on solving problems of the Himalayan region. The TIH will develop tools, education material, hands-on experiments with specialised tool kits, joining with prevailing innovation ecosystems. It will intertwine with varied participants and unite with other schemes of the Government of India by offering an innovation platform for schools, colleges and advanced technical training institutes in the directed regions.

By means of the hub, IIT Mandi is looking to create a technology interface for challenges pertaining to agriculture, cybersecurity, defence forces, healthcare, landslides, environment (including climate change), air pollution, and forensics. Various workshops and seminars will be held to create capable manpower in the area of HCI. The institute aims to work together with universities and organisations in India and abroad apart from creating a startup ecosystem in the field. The TIH will also work on the expansion and assessment of interfaces of IoT-based Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). CPS consists of physical elements (sensors) for accumulating data and cyber elements (analytics and visualisation software) for notifying/ educating people for directed action.

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