INNOVATION 2 UNICORN

The next paradigm shift in technology can exponentially spur growth and development in sectors as diverse as agriculture, water, energy, transportation, infrastructure, security, health and manufacturing and contribute to the National Mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) are a new class of engineered systems that are intelligent, autonomous, and efficient and are expected to drive innovation in such areas.

CPS integrates computation and physical processes in a dynamic environment and encompasses technology areas of Cybernetics, Mechatronics, Design and Embedded systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and many more.

Innovation to Unicorn (I2U) is one such program by IHFC that envisages developing an ecosystem to nurture such 21st Century CPS innovations in the areas of national relevance.

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION HUBS OF INDIA

Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters

• The S&T clusters are formal umbrella organisations to create strong linkages between existing academic institutions, national & state research laboratories, and other stakeholders like relevant ministries, industry partners, start-ups, MSMEs, state governments, philanthropic foundations, and international organisations.

• Six such clusters have been seeded by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India.

• Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation (DRIIV) is the umbrella body for managing the Delhi S&T cluster.

• DRIIV currently has 40 members across academia (e.g., IIT D, AIIMS, IIIT D, Ashoka University etc.) and industry (Google Research, Mahindra, Maruti etc.)

To make India a leading player in CPS, NM-ICPS to be implemented by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) with a total outlay of Rs. 3660 Crore for a period of five years.

A network of 16 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) set up across the country to implement this.

iHUB-Divya Sampark (TIH Roorkee) and IHFC (TIH IIT Delhi) are two such TIHs

Mandate to invest in such CPS innovations and create a seamless ecosystem for CPS technologies via research, technology and product development, innovation and commercialisation.