SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) proudly announces the achievement of two student teams from its Faculty of Management (FoM), who showcased their innovative ideas at the Forge Inspira – Ideathon, a National-level competition organized by IIT Hyderabad in March 2025. The event aimed to provide a platform for young minds to explore and demonstrate AI-powered solutions for real-world challenges.
About the Competition
Forge Inspira – Ideathon 2025 brought together interdisciplinary teams from institutions across the country to propose cutting-edge, AI-based innovations. The competition emphasized not only creativity and feasibility but also sustainability and potential for real-world impact.
FoM Teams Representing SRMIST
Team Athreya Aero – Securing 3rd Place Nationally
Team Athreya Aero earned a prestigious third place for their pioneering idea, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), which aims to transform the logistics sector.
Team Members:
- Anirudh Raghunath
- Meghana S. P
- Srinivasan R
- Rammohan S
Their DaaS platform tackles pressing logistics challenges including high transportation costs, delivery inefficiencies, and a lack of real-time tracking. The team’s AI-driven solution utilizes a fleet of swarm-enabled drones that are powered through hybrid charging stations, offering scalable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective logistics management.
Team Piezoelectric Energy – Harnessing Power from Movement
The second team, Piezoelectric Energy, focused on developing a footstep-powered energy harvesting system that can be used to light public pathways and urban environments.
Team Members:
- Jayashri J
- Sailasri K
Their concept revolves around converting mechanical energy from footsteps and vehicular movement into electricity using piezoelectric materials, presenting a sustainable approach to energy generation in high-footfall areas like metro stations, campuses, and smart cities.
Mentorship and Preparation
Both teams were mentored by faculty members from the MBA in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science (AIDS) program at SRMIST. The mentors provided technical guidance, AI modeling strategies, and presentation support, helping the teams refine their ideas and prepare for national-level competition.
Pushing the Boundaries of Innovation
Participation in such high-caliber events reflects SRMIST’s emphasis on practical learning, research-driven education, and entrepreneurial thinking. The Faculty of Management continues to provide a fertile ground for innovation, nurturing students to become changemakers of the future.
