Toc H Creating Robotics Gurus Of The Future
Toc H Creating Robotics Gurus Of The Future
India is undergoing a revolution of sorts when it comes to the automation across industries. Construction, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare – the list is endless when it comes to the industries hiring new talent in robotics. In fact, there has been an increase of over 250% in job postings during the May 2017 – May 2019 period on job sites in India. Recent studies predict a compounded annual growth rate of 20% for the Indian robotics industry between 2017 and 2025, growing to a size of US$350 million. While all major players in the robotics arena are international companies as of today, there has been an exponential rise in Indian businesses focusing on robotics, and going on a hiring spree in the field. Recognising the immense potential here, the Make In India initiative of the Government of India had earmarked US$13 Billion towards robotics.
Considering the need for new generation programmes in our country and the high standards and facilities of our college, AICTE and the Government of Kerala had granted Toc H Institute of Science & Technology (TIST) the approval for B.Tech in Robotics & Automation Engineering for the Academic year 2019-2020 with a sanctioned intake of 60. This new programme is launched, with a focus on developing interdisciplinary skills among engineers.
The overarching vision of the programme is to develop professionals skilled in supporting the rapid re-tasking, autonomy, and versatility of intelligent robots and automation technologies for smart business applications. Once students complete the programme, they can target opportunities in various Indian and multi-national companies working with robots, and flexible manufacturing systems in addition to engineering consultancy firms.
An Inter-Disciplinary Approach
The programme adopts an inter-disciplinary approach, combining elements of Electronics & Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Engineering. A helpful analogy is to think of the mechanical engineers developing the body of the robot, the electronics and electrical engineers developing its nerves, and the brains being developed by computer science engineers.
The four-year programme covers various areas such as, Computer integrated manufacturing, Automatic control systems, CNC machining technology, Programmable Logic controllers, Robotics, AI for Robotics , and machine vision, etc. The curriculum and syllabus of the programme have been set with inputs based on current requirements of the industry to make graduates of this programme industry ready. The department has tied up with major MNCs for establishing Industry oriented Laboratories, Lectures & Workshops by experts, Internships and Projects.
While the core subjects such as AI and Machine Learning are taught by TIST’s ASAP certified trainers, the students will also be trained in the latest developments in industry by a range of leading external experts from industry and academia.
Eligibility
For admission to B.Tech in Robotics & Automation Engineering, the candidate must have passed the higher secondary school certificate (10+2) examination with science subjects. It is mandatory to qualify either the Joint Entrance Examinations (JEE) mains or Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM)Entrance Examination.
Scope & Application
Robotics revolutionises diverse industries such as industrial automation, intelligent security systems, automotive industry, space exploration, defence services, healthcare etc. Robots are used widely to handle hazardous situations, carry out tasks that need high accuracy and speed, and replace monotonous and routine tasks for better efficiency. This field offers opportunities in the area of design, industrial robotics and applied embedded systems.
As a design professional, one may find a place in the design section of robotics and embedded design firms, work on robotic assemblies like actuators, sensors &interface circuitries, or develop graphical user interfaces & control mechanisms for the robots.
In the manufacturing sector, there are opportunities in the areas of assembly, operations and maintenance. The roles involve the design, programming, manufacturing, troubleshooting, and maintenance of the automation system (including robots, hydraulics & pneumatics system, control systems etc.)
Robotics has a wide range of applications -from drones which capture aerial images for surveillance to industrial robots which have replaced blue collar workers. Robots are now everywhere -in mining, farming, automotive, industrial, security and the defence manufacturing sectors. Due to this high demand, studying robotics and researching in this field is advisable as it will provide better employment opportunities to students.
The B.Tech in Robotics & Automation Engineering offered at TIST is a combination of modules covering all the core competencies expected out of a robotics engineer. This makes these graduates well prepared to hit the ground running in a variety of industries including automation, automobile, control and Mechatronics.
The employment opportunities for graduates of the proposed B.Tech. programme in Robotics and Automation is immense and includes:
- Robotics
- IT Consultancy
- Logistics
- Automation Consultancy
- Automotive Assembly and Manufacturing
- Manufacturing and Processing
- Healthcare and Biomedical
Startups in these key technology areas are supported by various schemes of the Government of India, such as Make in India.
Posted by: Ms. Shiyon P Johnson, Assistant professor, Department of Electronics & Communication, Toc H Institute of Science & Technology
