Gujarat Science City: The Grand Finale of Robofest Gujarat 4.0, organized by the Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST) and Gujarat Science City, concluded on January 24, 2025, marking the successful culmination of a four-day event that showcased student talent from across the state and beyond.

The event featured a variety of robotic prototypes in seven categories, including Rover Robots, Swarm Robots, Fun Robotics, Maze Solving Robots, Two-Wheeled Self-Balancing Robots, Submarine and Underwater Robots, and Hexapod Robots. Winning teams demonstrated strong technical skills and problem-solving capabilities.

Ms. Mona Khandhar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat, was the Chief Guest for the event. She commended the participants and presented awards to the top-performing teams. During her address, Ms. Khandhar also announced the launch of Robofest Gujarat 5.0, which will focus on themes such as Automation, Artificial Intelligence, and solutions for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Dr. Anil Bhardwaj, Director of the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, spoke on the integration of robotics with scientific exploration, citing India’s recent missions like Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1. He emphasized the potential of robotics to drive further advancements in science and technology.

The event was also attended by Shri Sudhir K Patel, Executive Director of Gujarat Science City, Dr. Debanik Roy, Chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and Dr. Narottam Sahoo, Advisor and Member Secretary of GUJCOST, who shared their insights on the significance of the event.

The total prize pool of Rs. 5.00 Crore was awarded to winners in each category, with the first-place winners in all categories receiving INR 10 lakh. Dr. Narottam Sahoo remarked, “Robofest Gujarat 4.0 has shown that innovation thrives when young minds collaborate to tackle challenges.”

The event also saw over 5000 students from various STEM institutions visiting the exhibition and taking inspiration to participate in future editions of Robofest.

Category Winners:

Rover Robots:
1st – Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya
2nd – Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya
3rd – LNM Institute of Information Technology, Jaipur
Consolation – L.D. College of Engineering, Ahmedabad

Swarm Robots:
1st – Chandubhai S Patel (CSPIT), CHARUSAT
2nd – Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya
3rd – Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya
Consolation – Parul Institute of Technology

Fun Robotics & Maze Solving Robots:
1st – NIT Rourkela
2nd – G H Patel College of Engineering and Technology
3rd – G H Patel College of Engineering and Technology
Consolation – Bannari Amman Institute of Technology

Two-Wheeled Self-Balancing Robots:
1st – Govt College of Engineering, Kannur
2nd – IIT Bhubaneswar
3rd – Institute of Technology, Nirma University
Consolation – IIT Bombay

Submarine & Underwater Robots:
1st – Institute of Technology, Nirma University
2nd – Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya
3rd – Vellore Institute of Technology
Consolation – IIT Bhubaneswar

Hexapod Robots:
1st – Sir Bhavsinhji Polytechnic Institute
2nd – SVNIT Surat
3rd – Institute of Technology, Nirma University
Consolation – Budge Budge Institute of Technology

Application-Based Robots:
1st & 2nd – Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya
3rd – Govt Polytechnic, Jamnagar
Consolation – Govt Engineering College, Gandhinagar

In addition to the prize money, GUJCOST is filing provisional patents for all 169 ideation projects. Gujarat Technological University (GTU), Ahmedabad, has offered incubation facilities for all Proof of Concept projects, while i-Create Ahmedabad will host a one-day pitching and incubation session.

The event concluded with the promise to continue this journey of innovation through Robofest Gujarat 5.0, further advancing Gujarat’s role in technological progress and innovation.

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