Date: 6 August 2026
Venue: IDEA Factory, 4th Floor, NITK Surathkal
A workshop on the IDEA Factory Open House was conducted at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, on 6 August 2026. The event was held at the 4th floor of the IDEA Factory and focused on innovation, technology, student projects, modern manufacturing facilities, and practical applications of emerging technologies.
The session was conducted by Dr. Pruthviraj U, Associate Professor, Department of Water Resources & Ocean Engineering, and Professor In-Charge of IDEA Factory. The programme included an introduction to radio communication systems, highlighting their importance in enabling quick communication over long distances and their applications in various fields. An old telegram communication system was also introduced and demonstrated practically, providing participants with an understanding of how communication was carried out using earlier technologies.
Several student projects, models, and prototypes were displayed during the session. One of the projects demonstrated a remote-controlled lifting system designed for loading and unloading materials. Another project involved the use of a VR headset and camera system to identify and locate objects. Various other innovative student-developed models and prototypes were also showcased, demonstrating the practical application of technology to solve real-world problems.
The facilities available at the IDEA Factory were also demonstrated. Different types of 3D printers and laser-cutting machines were showcased along with their applications in designing, manufacturing, and developing prototypes. These facilities provide students with opportunities to transform their ideas and digital designs into physical models and functional prototypes.
In the afternoon session, the participants visited the SEARCH facility at NITK Surathkal. SEARCH, which stands for System for Emergency Assistance, Response, and Communication Hub, is a mobile, container-cabin-based laboratory developed to support disaster management, coastal monitoring, emergency response, and search-and-rescue operations. The visit provided an overview of modern communication systems and technological solutions used for emergency response and disaster management.
The programme provided valuable insights into the role of innovation centres in encouraging creativity, supporting student projects, developing prototypes, and applying modern technologies to practical problems. The IDEA Factory Open House offered participants an opportunity to observe innovative student projects, advanced manufacturing equipment, and real-world technological applications at NITK Surathkal.
A total of 15 students from Govinda Dasa College, comprising students from BCA and B.Com. (Computer), attended the workshop. The students were accompanied by the Head of the Department of Computer Science, Prof. Geetha K.
The workshop was an informative and enriching experience for the students, providing them with exposure to innovation, prototyping, modern manufacturing technologies, communication systems, and technology-driven solutions for real-world challenges.
