IIT Guwahati Launches Centre of Excellence For AI, Robotics And IoT in Major Tech Push

Guwahati: In a significant step towards India's technological future, the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) has inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) on March 17, 2025. IIT Guwahati has partnered with Pune-based technology firm PHN Technology Pvt. Ltd. to set up the facility, an important step to closing the gap between industry and academia for innovations.

PHN Technology CEO and MD Pradip Narayankar reiterated the significance of developing solutions for real-life issues. “At PHN Technology, our mission has always been to build products that make a tangible difference. This collaboration with IIT Guwahati will open new doors for students and innovators to push the boundaries of technology,” said Narayankar, who added that this is not just about robotics and AI but also about practical applications that have the potential to transform industries.

PHN Technology has already tied up with more than 500 Indian colleges, including IITs and NITs. The new lab in Guwahati, constructed with an investment of around Rs 1.5 crore, promises to be a game changer for students and budding entrepreneurs of the region.

"This lab is for all," said Narayankar, who wants students from Assam and the whole of Northeast to collaborate, discover, and innovate. The aim is to provide superior technology to all and provide level playing fields for young minds looking to make an impact, said the founder of PHN.

Centre of Excellence is to be an efficient setup where students, researchers, and entrepreneurs can ideate, test, and transform ideas. With state-of-the-art equipment, the lab offers the necessary space for the students to model and perfect their models either in the robotics domain, AI systems, or IoT.

IIT Guwahati Director Devendra Jalihal emphasised the importance of the alliance towards making future technological revolutions. "This Centre of Excellence will be a platform for young entrepreneurs. It will also invite students from other institutions in the Northeast, providing them with hands-on training and experience with cutting-edge technologies," said Jalihal.

At CoE students can tinker, construct, and develop their ideas into practical applications. With a range of robots and AI technologies at their disposal, students will be able to tailor and code systems to suit their imagination. The centre incubates ideas and also offers constructive criticism to hone them.

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One of the most striking features of this effort is its inclusivity. CoE is not only for IIT Guwahati students, but also for engineering colleges, schools and research institutions of the Northeast. This move is bound to have a lifelong impact by offering opportunities to underprivileged students of the Northeast to access advanced technologies and mentorship.

In addition to offering an innovation platform, the CoE is committed to human capital investment. CoE hopes to narrow the skills gap and develop the next wave of technology innovators through training programs, certification courses, and hands-on workshops equipping students with the skills needed to tackle composite issues in the technology industry.

Involving industries and start-ups, the CoE will offer young entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their innovations. These collaborations could lead to jobs, internships and potential industry collaborations that can be helpful to students and the broader tech community.

Additionally, CEO of TIH IIT Guwahati N.N. Dutta shared that the centre will not only encourage students to think imaginatively but also fuel collaborations which bring new possibilities into existence.