NE SCIENCE & TECH BUREAU
CHENNAI, SEPT 22
Can robots developed in academic laboratories help transform the way India builds its infrastructure? IIT Madras and Bechtel India are taking a collaborative step towards that future with the inauguration of a ₹3.30-crore construction robotics laboratory on the institute’s campus, combining corporate social responsibility (CSR) support with academic research and industry expertise.
Reimagining construction, one robot at a time, IIT Madras has inaugurated a ₹3.30-crore state-of-the-art Construction Robotics Laboratory, established with CSR support from @Bechtel India Private Limited.
Led by Prof. T. Asokan, Department of Engineering Design, and Prof. Koshy… pic.twitter.com/CN5Bnur8gs
— IIT Madras (@iitmadras) September 22, 2026
The state-of-the-art facility, inaugurated on Monday, is aimed at advancing research, innovation and industrial applications in robotics and automation for the construction and infrastructure sectors.
- CSR-funded facility to advance robotics, automation and deep-tech innovation for construction and infrastructure sectors
- IIT Madras and Bechtel India sign MoU to bridge academic research with real-world engineering challenges
- Joint R&D, prototype development, patents and technology demonstrations to drive long-term collaboration
- Industry mentoring, curriculum enhancement and internships to prepare students for emerging construction technologies
Established with CSR support from Bechtel India Private Limited, a global engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firm, the initiative seeks to connect academic capabilities with the practical demands of field-level engineering.
CSR investment with a technology mission
The new laboratory represents a partnership designed to translate research into solutions for the construction sector. Rather than limiting collaboration to funding infrastructure, the initiative envisages a long-term roadmap encompassing joint research and development, prototype development, patents and real-world technology demonstrations.
The collaboration is intended to accelerate the development of deep-tech automation solutions, strengthen research capabilities and support the deployment of advanced construction technologies across India’s infrastructure ecosystem.
Industry and academia join hands
The strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), along with faculty leaders Prof. T. Asokan and Prof. Koshy Varghese, and Bechtel India representatives Raja Yeluri, Managing Director, and Ravi Tata, Robotics Manager.
The partnership brings together IIT Madras’ academic and research expertise with Bechtel India’s industry experience, creating a platform for collaborative innovation in construction robotics.
From campus research to field applications
A key objective of the initiative is to develop technologies that respond to real-world construction and infrastructure challenges.
The laboratory will focus on joint R&D, developing prototypes, pursuing patents and demonstrating technologies in practical settings. This approach is expected to help connect research outcomes with industry requirements and explore pathways for wider adoption.
Preparing the next generation of robotics talent
The partnership also places emphasis on workforce development and student engagement.
Bechtel India will contribute industry expertise to curriculum enhancement, mentor researchers and offer internship opportunities to students. These initiatives are intended to expose students and researchers to industry requirements while helping develop a skilled workforce for emerging construction technologies.
By integrating academic research, corporate CSR support and practical engineering experience, IIT Madras and Bechtel India are seeking to strengthen the innovation ecosystem for construction automation and infrastructure development.
