The new facility is expected to become an important platform for research, product engineering, hands-on learning and industry-oriented skill development in the Internet of Things ecosystem. With a strong focus on embedded systems, IoT security, edge AI and indigenous hardware design, the centre aims to prepare students and faculty for the rapidly evolving world of smart and connected technologies.

The inauguration was held at Techpark-1 on the SRMIST Kattankulathur campus in the presence of senior officials, faculty members, researchers and students. Key dignitaries at the event included Shri Shrikrishna S Chippalkatti, Scientist-E, CDAC Bengaluru; Dr. M. Leenus Jesu Martin, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology; Dr. Revathi Venkataraman, Chairperson, School of Computing; and Dr. M. Lakshmi, Head of the Department of Networking and Communications.

A New Step Toward Future-Ready Technology Education

The launch of the Centre for Internet of Things reflects SRMIST’s growing commitment to future-ready engineering education. As industries across the world move toward automation, smart infrastructure and data-driven systems, IoT has become one of the most important technology domains for students and researchers.

Through this new centre, SRMIST aims to provide students with access to practical learning, advanced research opportunities and industry-relevant projects. The initiative is designed not just as an academic laboratory, but as a hub where students and faculty can work on real-world technology problems and develop usable solutions.

Collaboration with CDAC Bengaluru

One of the most important aspects of the new IoT centre is SRMIST’s collaboration with CDAC Bengaluru. CDAC is known for its work in advanced computing, embedded systems, ubiquitous computing and indigenous technology development. Its association with SRMIST is expected to bring strong technical expertise, mentoring support and access to indigenously developed systems and kits.

During the inauguration, Shri Shrikrishna S Chippalkatti highlighted CDAC’s experience in IoT-related technologies and ubiquitous computing. He explained that the systems and kits introduced through this collaboration are designed indigenously from hardware to software. This approach will allow students and researchers to understand the complete technology stack rather than working only with ready-made commercial platforms.

The collaboration is also expected to encourage product engineering and innovation. Students and faculty will be guided to explore industry-relevant applications in areas such as IoT security, embedded AI, sensor networks, edge computing and indigenous processor technologies. This can help develop deeper technical capability and reduce dependence on imported technology solutions.

Focus Areas of the Centre

The Centre for Internet of Things at SRMIST will focus on some of the most important areas in modern connected technology. One major focus area is embedded systems, which form the foundation of many IoT devices. Embedded systems are used in smart appliances, automotive systems, medical devices, industrial machines and consumer electronics.

Another key focus area is IoT security. As more devices become connected to the internet, the risk of cyberattacks, data breaches and system manipulation increases. Secure IoT design is therefore essential for industries such as healthcare, defence, smart infrastructure and finance. By working on IoT security, the centre can help students understand how to build safer and more reliable connected systems.

Edge AI is another important area of work. Instead of sending all data to cloud servers for processing, edge AI allows devices to process data closer to where it is generated. This improves speed, reduces latency and supports applications such as autonomous systems, smart surveillance, industrial monitoring and healthcare devices.

The centre will also focus on indigenous hardware design. This is especially important as India works toward technological self-reliance. By encouraging local design and development of hardware and software systems, the centre can contribute to India’s broader goal of building strong domestic technology capability.

Building a Centre of Excellence

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. M. Leenus Jesu Martin said the new centre has the potential to evolve into a Centre of Excellence if it produces strong application-oriented outcomes. He emphasized that the success of the initiative will depend on visible projects, student and faculty participation, and meaningful engagement with industry.

This vision highlights the need for the centre to go beyond classroom learning and theoretical research. The focus will be on building practical solutions, prototypes and technology products that can address real-world challenges. Such an approach can help students gain confidence in product development and applied research.

Dr. Revathi Venkataraman also stressed the importance of tangible outcomes. She said the centre must move beyond ideas and produce products and prototypes. According to her, stronger industry partnerships and technology transfer can transform the centre into a sustainable innovation ecosystem that creates both research impact and student opportunities.

Dr. M. Lakshmi described the centre as a strategic step toward research growth, skill development and future-ready education. She noted that the facility will help students and faculty explore emerging technologies and contribute meaningfully to the growing IoT landscape.

Training, Boot Camps and Hands-On Learning

The new Centre for IoT will not function only as a traditional academic lab. It will also support structured training programmes, Management Development Programmes and boot camps designed with input from industry experts. These initiatives are expected to help students develop practical skills aligned with workplace requirements.

Hands-on training will be one of the key strengths of the centre. Students will be encouraged to experiment with hardware, sensors, communication systems, software platforms and AI-enabled devices. They will also be guided to build minimum viable products and scalable solutions.

This kind of learning can help bridge the gap between classroom education and industry expectations. Many engineering students learn concepts in theory but need more exposure to deployment-ready technology. By working on real devices, real problems and real prototypes, students can develop stronger problem-solving skills and become more employable.

The centre is also expected to encourage interdisciplinary research. IoT is not limited to computer science alone. It brings together electronics, communication engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, mechanical systems, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and data science. By supporting collaboration across departments, the centre can help create innovative solutions for multiple sectors.

Why This Initiative Matters

The launch of the SRMIST Centre for Internet of Things comes at a time when India is focusing strongly on digital transformation, smart infrastructure and indigenous technology development. IoT is expected to play a major role in the future of smart cities, connected healthcare, industrial automation, agriculture technology, defence systems and consumer electronics.

By combining IoT research with embedded systems, cybersecurity, edge intelligence and indigenous hardware, the new centre can help prepare students for high-growth technology careers. It can also support faculty research, industry partnerships and innovation-driven projects.

For students, the centre offers an opportunity to work with advanced technologies and gain practical experience. For faculty, it creates a platform for research collaboration and funded projects. For industry, it can become a source of skilled talent and technology solutions.

The SRMIST-CDAC collaboration also strengthens the university’s innovation ecosystem. With access to CDAC’s technical expertise and SRMIST’s academic infrastructure, the centre can become a strong contributor to India’s connected technology future.

Conclusion

The inauguration of the Centre for Internet of Things at SRMIST Kattankulathur is an important development in the field of technology education and innovation. Established in collaboration with CDAC Bengaluru, the centre aims to promote research, skill development, product engineering and indigenous technology design.

With focus areas such as embedded systems, IoT security, edge AI and indigenous hardware, the centre is well-positioned to support India’s growing need for skilled engineers and locally developed technology solutions. If the centre continues to produce practical projects, prototypes and industry partnerships, it has the potential to grow into a major Centre of Excellence in IoT and connected technologies.

FAQs

1. What is the new Centre for Internet of Things at SRMIST?

The Centre for Internet of Things is a new facility launched at SRMIST’s Kattankulathur campus to support research, training, innovation and product development in IoT, embedded systems, edge AI, security and indigenous hardware design.

2. Who has SRMIST collaborated with for the IoT centre?

SRMIST has collaborated with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, CDAC Bengaluru, for the establishment of the Centre for Internet of Things.

3. What are the main focus areas of the SRMIST IoT Centre?

The major focus areas include embedded systems, IoT security, edge AI, indigenous hardware design, sensor-based technologies, product engineering and industry-relevant IoT applications.

4. How will students benefit from the Centre for IoT?

Students will benefit through hands-on training, boot camps, research projects, product development opportunities, exposure to indigenous technology platforms and mentoring from experts.

5. Why is the SRMIST-CDAC IoT centre important?

The centre is important because it supports India’s goal of building indigenous technology capabilities while preparing students for careers in smart devices, connected infrastructure, cybersecurity, automation and edge intelligence.

Tvasta, a Chennai-based startup founded by IIT Madras alumni in 2016, has been working at the intersection of robotics, automation and construction 3D printing. With Cedar, the company is now taking its technology to a global stage. The printer has been designed and manufactured in India and is being positioned for deployment across international markets, including the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

At a time when the global construction industry is looking for faster, more affordable and more sustainable building methods, Cedar aims to solve some of the biggest challenges faced by developers and contractors. These include high material costs, labour dependency, long project timelines, construction waste and limited access to scalable automation.

A Make in India Innovation for the World

Cedar is more than just a new construction machine. It is a strong example of Make in India moving from research and development into real-world global deployment. Tvasta’s journey began with the goal of using additive manufacturing to transform how buildings and infrastructure are created.

Cedar has been designed to address these barriers. By combining Indian engineering, AI-based material optimisation and a scalable printing platform, Tvasta and 14Trees are trying to make 3D concrete printing more practical for mainstream construction projects.

What Makes Cedar Different?

One of Cedar’s most important features is its portal-frame architecture. This structure makes the printer suitable for large construction sites and allows it to support projects across residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure categories.

The printer can reach up to 10 metres in printing height and has an extendable footprint of up to 240 square metres. This gives construction companies the flexibility to use it for different types of projects, including homes, offices, technical facilities, industrial structures and infrastructure components.

Another major advantage is cost. Cedar offers printing volumes comparable to many existing large-format 3D construction printers, but at nearly half the capital investment. This is significant because high upfront cost has often been one of the biggest reasons construction companies hesitate to adopt 3D printing technology.

By reducing the entry barrier, Cedar can help more developers, contractors and public sector agencies explore automated construction.

Printing With Real Concrete

A major breakthrough in Cedar is its ability to print with real concrete instead of relying only on specialised mortar-based mixes. Many construction 3D printers depend on costly mortar materials, which can make projects expensive and limit the use of locally available resources.

Cedar is designed to work with standard concrete formulations. This can reduce material costs by up to 5x, making 3D concrete printing more affordable and practical for large-scale construction.

The ability to use real concrete also improves local adaptability. Construction projects across different countries and regions often depend on materials available nearby. By supporting locally sourced concrete formulations, Cedar can help reduce transportation costs, improve supply chain efficiency and lower the environmental impact of projects.

AI Companion for Smarter Construction

Cedar is not just a hardware platform. It is supported by the 14Trees AI Companion, a digital platform that helps optimise material performance using local resources. The AI Companion analyses thousands of mix designs to help construction teams balance cost, strength and environmental impact.

This is especially important in construction because project conditions vary widely from one region to another. Local materials, climate, humidity, temperature and structural needs can all affect the performance of concrete.

By using AI to recommend and optimise material mixes, Cedar can help contractors achieve more consistent results. It also supports better decision-making by giving teams data-driven insights before and during the construction process.

This combination of robotics and artificial intelligence gives Cedar a clear advantage in real-world deployment. It is not only designed to print structures, but also to help teams understand how to print them efficiently, safely and economically.

Built by Indian Engineering Talent

Tvasta was founded by IIT Madras alumni and has grown into one of India’s most notable startups in the construction 3D printing space. The company has worked on multiple 3D-printed building projects, including housing, educational facilities, offices and technical infrastructure.

The launch of Cedar shows how Indian deep-tech startups are moving beyond prototypes and pilot projects. They are now building industrial-grade solutions that can compete in global markets.

Tvasta CEO Adithya V S has described Cedar as a platform that brings together advanced manufacturing, robotics and software. The goal is to create a system that can perform reliably across different construction environments.

14Trees CEO Francois Perrot has also highlighted the economic side of the technology. According to him, construction 3D printing must not only be technically proven, but must also make financial sense for contractors and developers. Cedar has been designed with that requirement in mind.

Why Cedar Matters for the Construction Industry

The construction industry is under pressure to deliver projects faster, reduce costs and adopt greener methods. Traditional construction often involves long timelines, material wastage, labour shortages and inconsistent quality. Automation can help address many of these issues.

Cedar’s 3D printing technology can reduce construction time by automating repetitive building processes. It can also improve precision, reduce dependency on manual labour and lower material wastage by placing concrete only where needed.

For developers, this means faster project execution and potentially better cost control. For governments and public sector agencies, it could support faster delivery of housing, schools, community facilities and infrastructure. For emerging markets, it offers a more accessible route to advanced construction technology.

The use of AI for material optimisation also supports sustainability. By improving mix designs and reducing waste, Cedar can help construction firms lower their environmental footprint.

Taking Indian Deep-Tech Global

Cedar’s global deployment strategy is one of the most important parts of this launch. The printer is being positioned for markets across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

This is a strong signal that Indian startups are no longer limited to solving domestic challenges. They are creating globally relevant technologies in areas such as robotics, automation, AI and advanced manufacturing.

For India, Cedar reflects the growing maturity of its deep-tech ecosystem. It also shows how institutions like IIT Madras are helping produce founders and engineers who can build globally competitive products.

The partnership between Tvasta and 14Trees brings together Indian engineering and international construction technology expertise. This can help accelerate adoption by offering end-to-end support, including design optimisation, materials development and on-site delivery.

The Future of Automated Construction

As the construction industry evolves, technologies like Cedar could become central to the future of building. Developers and contractors are increasingly looking for solutions that can improve speed, reduce costs and support sustainable development.

Cedar has the potential to serve as a platform for smarter construction. Its ability to print with real concrete, reduce material costs, support large structures and use AI-based optimisation makes it a practical solution for modern construction needs.

While construction 3D printing is still an emerging field, Cedar’s launch marks a significant step toward wider adoption. It brings together the key elements needed for scale: affordability, flexibility, AI support, material compatibility and global deployment readiness.

For Tvasta, this is a major milestone. For India, it is another example of homegrown innovation entering the global stage. For the construction industry, Cedar could become an important tool in the shift toward faster, greener and more automated building methods.

FAQs

1. What is Cedar by Tvasta and 14Trees?

Cedar is an AI-ready 3D concrete printer developed by Tvasta Manufacturing Solutions in partnership with 14Trees. It is designed for large-scale construction automation and global deployment.

2. Why is Cedar important for construction 3D printing?

Cedar reduces the cost barrier for construction 3D printing by offering large-format printing capabilities at lower capital investment. It can also print with real concrete, which helps reduce material costs.

3. What is the printing capacity of Cedar?

Cedar can reach up to 10 metres in printing height and has an extendable footprint of up to 240 square metres, making it suitable for residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects.

4. How does AI help Cedar perform better?

Cedar is supported by the 14Trees AI Companion, which analyses thousands of concrete mix designs. It helps optimise cost, strength and environmental performance using locally available materials.

5. Why is Cedar considered a Make in India success story?

Cedar has been designed and manufactured in India by Tvasta, a startup founded by IIT Madras alumni. Its global deployment plans show how Indian deep-tech innovation can compete in international construction markets.