Transforming innovative ideas into functional prototypes and real-world products

Smart Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System for Simultaneous Growth of Multiple Vegetables

The Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System is an automated vertical farming solution developed to support sustainable urban and household agriculture with efficient use of water, nutrients, and space. The system uses an innovative drainage arrangement with bell siphons, allowing nutrient-rich water to be pumped to the top level and then flow naturally through the lower growing shelves before returning to the reservoir. This reduces water and energy consumption while enabling different vegetables, such as tomato, broccoli, peppers, cauliflower, and brinjal, to be grown within the same system according to their nutrient requirements. With an approximate development cost of ₹25,000, the system offers a practical approach for promoting urban farming, local food production, resource conservation, and access to fresh vegetables, making it suitable for households, educational institutions, communities, and agricultural applications.

Automated Desktop Herbal Garden for Utilization of RO Waste Water 

The Automated Desktop Herbal Garden is a smart and sustainable gardening system developed to promote indoor greenery, water conservation, and healthy working environments. The system utilizes RO waste water for plant irrigation and automatically monitors important plant-growth parameters such as soil moisture, temperature, humidity, light intensity, and nutrient requirements. Using senso, a microcontroller, GSM connectivity, and cloud-based data analysis, the system supplies water and regulate environmental conditions according to the specific needs of the plant. The proposed garden can support the cultivation of small herbal and indoor plants while reducing the unnecessary disposal of RO reject water. Its implementation in homes, offices, educational institutions, and workplaces can contribute to improved indoor air quality, reduced stress, enhanced workplace aesthetics, and greater awareness of sustainable resource utilization.

Financial support for the development of this system was provided by the Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub (AWaDH), a Technology Innovation Hub established by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India

Multiponics System for Smart Urban Farming

The Multiponics System for Smart Urban Farming is an integrated and sustainable food-production solution that combines aquaponics, hydroponics, and soil-based cultivation within a controlled urban farming environment. The system is designed to support simultaneous plant cultivation and aquatic animal production while efficiently utilizing water, nutrients, energy, and available space. A working automated model incorporates multiple sensors and controllers for continuous monitoring of important parameters such as pH, water temperature, water level, flow rate, and nitrate concentration. Based on real-time sensor data, the system can regulate water circulation, pumping operations, fish feeding, and overall water quality, thereby reducing the need for continuous manual supervision. A digital display and real-time alert system provide timely information whenever operating or environmental conditions move beyond desired limits. To improve sustainability and reduce dependence on conventional electricity, solar energy can be used to operate pumps, motors, sensors, and control processors. The system aims to develop an efficient, low-maintenance, and resource-saving urban farming platform suitable for rooftops, homes, educational institutions, and limited-space agricultural applications, while promoting sustainable food production and reduced human effort.

Financial support for the development of this system was provided by the Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub (AWaDH), a Technology Innovation Hub established by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India

Smart Stubble-to-Mushroom Cultivation System with Automated Environmental Control

The Automated Stubble-Based Mushroom Cultivation System is an innovative approach for converting paddy stubble and other agricultural residues into a productive substrate for mushroom cultivation. The system integrates automation, environmental monitoring, and smart farming technologies to maintain suitable conditions of temperature, humidity, ventilation, and moisture throughout the mushroom growth cycle. By creating a controlled cultivation environment, the system supports faster, consistent, and high-yield mushroom production with reduced dependence on manual monitoring. Its compact and modular design makes it suitable for rural farms, rooftop cultivation, urban agriculture, educational institutions, and commercial mushroom production units. The technology provides an environmentally responsible alternative to crop-residue burning by transforming stubble into a valuable agricultural resource. It can also generate an additional source of income for farmers, while requiring comparatively less land and promoting efficient resource utilization. With features such as automated monitoring, space-efficient construction, easy maintenance, and adaptability for different mushroom varieties, the system demonstrates the potential of precision agriculture and circular-economy practices for sustainable crop-residue management.

Universal Single-Plate Multi-Crop Semi-Automatic Seeder

The Semi-Automatic Seeder Machine has been developed as a low-cost and farmer-friendly solution to improve the efficiency, precision, and affordability of seed sowing operations, particularly for small and marginal vegetable growers. Unlike conventional manual seeders that require different seed plates and hoppers for different crops, the developed machine uses a single specially designed seed plate capable of handling different seed sizes and sowing seeds in multiple rows. It also incorporates an adjustable row spacing and sowing-depth mechanism, along with a large-capacity hopper that can hold approximately 2–3 kg of seed, thereby reducing repeated refilling and manual effort. The machine helps achieve more uniform seed placement, reduces labour dependence and operating cost, and offers simple maintenance. With an approximate development cost of INR 18,000 (excluding labour), the technology has strong potential to support affordable farm mechanization, improved productivity, and income enhancement for small farmers. The technology is currently under commercialization and is open for adoption and manufacturing by interested industries or enterprises.

Tractor-Operated Round Straw Baler for Sustainable Paddy Residue Management

The Tractor-Operated Round Straw Baler has been studied and redesigned through a reverse engineering approach to support the efficient and sustainable management of paddy straw after harvesting. The system is intended to collect loose crop residue from the field and compress it into compact, manageable round bales, thereby reducing the need for open-field stubble burning and making straw easier to handle, store, transport, and reuse. The recovered straw can be utilized for animal feed, biofuel production, paper and packaging industries, mushroom cultivation, and industrial boilers, creating additional value from agricultural waste. The proposed design also aims to facilitate the future integration of harvesting and baling operations in a single field unit, reducing handling time and operational costs. The technology has significant potential for environmental protection, sustainable crop-residue management, rural employment generation, and additional income opportunities for farmers. The reverse-engineered design provides a foundation for developing an improved and farmer-friendly straw removal and baling system.

The project received financial support from the Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub (AWaDH), a Technology Innovation Hub created under the DST-funded National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).

Integrated Tractor-Mounted Stubble Removal, Conveying, and Collection System for Post-Harvest Crop Residue Management

The Stubble Removal and Collection Machine have been improved to provide farmers with an efficient and environmentally sustainable alternative to open-field stubble burning. The machine is designed to be mounted on a tractor-trolley and performs two operations simultaneously: cutting crop stubble close to the ground and automatically collecting and loading the chopped residue into the trolley. This integrated mechanism helps reduce manual labour, fuel consumption, field-clearing time, and overall operating cost. The collected crop residue can subsequently be utilized for biomass energy, biofuel production, paper and pulp industries, animal bedding, composting, and other value-added applications. By facilitating rapid removal of stubble between successive cropping seasons, the improved machine can help farmers prepare their fields on time while minimizing harmful emissions associated with residue burning. The design improvement has been successfully completed, contributing toward cleaner agricultural practices, better utilization of crop residue, and sustainable farm mechanization.

The project received financial support from the Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub (AWaDH), a Technology Innovation Hub created under the DST-funded National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).

Restoration and Performance Upgradation of an Integrated Vegetable Transplanter–Mulching Machine for Mechanized Farming

The Vegetable Transplanter–Mulching Machine of the Indo-Israel Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Punjab (Jalandhar) was successfully restored and upgraded to improve its performance under field conditions. The project involved systematic inspection, mechanical overhauling, repair and replacement of worn components, precision alignment of the transplanting mechanism, and strengthening of the mulching roller assembly. The transmission system, bearings, linkages, and lifting controls were standardized and calibrated to ensure synchronized, smooth, and reliable operation. Special attention was given to achieving uniform plant spacing, consistent transplanting depth, and proper lying of mulch film. Following reassembly, the machine underwent calibration and field trials to evaluate its operational performance. The upgraded system demonstrated improved precision, durability, stability, and compatibility with different vegetable crops. By integrating transplanting and mulching operations, the machine reduces manual labour, conserves soil moisture, suppresses weed growth, improves field efficiency, and supports sustainable mechanized vegetable cultivation.

Green Pea Pod Peeling and Separation Machine

The Semi-Automated Green Pea Pod Peeling and Separation Machine has been developed to provide an efficient, economical, and user-friendly solution for separating fresh peas from their pods. Conventional manual depodding is labour-intensive and time-consuming, with an individual processing only about 4 kg of peas per hour. The developed machine significantly improves processing efficiency while minimizing pea breakage and material loss. Its compact and affordable design makes it suitable for farmers, vegetable vendors, households, and small-scale food-processing enterprises. The system promotes mechanization of post-harvest operations by reducing dependency on manual labour and improving productivity. It also provides opportunities for farmers to undertake value-added processing, packaging, and direct marketing of fresh peas, thereby enhancing income potential. The approximate development cost of the machine is ₹8,000, excluding labour and installation charges.

Hand Made Stubble Products

Hand Made Stubble Product is an initiative focused on converting agricultural stubble into useful, decorative, and eco-friendly handicraft products for everyday use. Using simple hand tools and locally available crop residue, different products such as baskets, decorative articles, utility items, containers, and other craft-based products can be developed. This approach provides a productive alternative to the burning or disposal of stubble and helps transform agricultural waste into value-added products. Handmade stubble products also have the potential to create supplementary employment and income opportunities for rural artisans, women, farmers, and local communities, while promoting traditional craftsmanship and sustainable resource utilization. The products can be designed with artistic, cultural, functional, and decorative value, making them suitable for household use as well as the handicraft market. During product development, it was observed that maintaining the required size, uniformity, strength, and structure of stubble rope is one of the major challenges in producing consistent handicraft products. Therefore, along with developing handmade stubble products, a suitable stubble-processing and rope-making machine is also proposed to simplify preparation, improve product quality, reduce manual effort, and support larger-scale production. This concept promotes stubble utilization, rural entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods, and environmentally responsible product development.

Remote-Controlled Underwater Surveillance Boat System

The Remote-Controlled Underwater Surveillance Boat System is an economical and innovative platform developed for real-time monitoring, inspection, and surveillance of aquatic environments. The system consists of two interconnected units—a floating surfaces platform and a submersible surveillance unit. The surface platform provides buoyancy, stability, control, and communication support, while the underwater unit is equipped with a waterproof camera and propulsion mechanism for observing submerged areas at different depths. Rotary thrusters enable controlled movement and manoeuvrability, while the underwater camera continuously captures visual information during operation. Since conventional radio-frequency signals experience significant attenuation underwater, the surface unit functions as a communication relay, allowing surveillance information to be transmitted to the remote operator. The system reduces the need for direct human intervention in potentially hazardous underwater environments and offers a portable and cost-effective alternative to sophisticated underwater vehicles. Potential applications include dam and reservoir inspection, bridge and underwater structure assessment, port surveillance, environmental monitoring, aquatic research, search-and-rescue support, and security operations. Its modular architecture also enables future integration of GPS, environmental sensors, autonomous navigation, obstacle detection, and AI-based monitoring technologies.

Paneer Making Machine

The Paneer Making Machine is a compact and hygienic solution designed for efficient preparation and processing of paneer from milk. Manufactured using food-grade stainless steel, the system ensures durability, corrosion resistance, and easy cleaning. The integrated pressing mechanism applies uniform pressure to separate whey from coagulated milk solids, helping produce paneer with consistent texture, shape, and quality. Its sturdy construction, simple manual operation, and convenient outlet arrangement make the machine suitable for dairy processing units, research laboratories, training centres, small-scale entrepreneurs, and institutional kitchens. The system reduces manual effort, improves processing hygiene, and supports standardized paneer production with improved operational efficiency.

Quadrupedal Robot

The Quadrupedal Agricultural Robot is designed for autonomous mobility and monitoring across large agricultural fields. Its four-legged configuration enables stable movement over uneven terrain, crop rows, muddy surfaces, and field obstacles where conventional wheeled robots may face limitations. Equipped with suitable sensors, cameras, and communication systems, it can support applications such as crop health monitoring, field surveillance, soil and environmental sensing, pest and disease detection, precision spraying, and data collection. The robot can reduce manual field inspection, improve operational efficiency, and enable continuous monitoring of large farms, contributing to precision agriculture, smart farming, and data-driven crop management. The project received financial support from the Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub (AWaDH), a Technology Innovation Hub created under the DST-funded National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).

Polythene Packaging System

The Polythene Packaging System is a compact and user-friendly solution developed for sealing and packaging products in polythene bags. The system provides uniform heat sealing, helping achieve secure, clean, and reliable packaging. Its adjustable operating controls allow packaging of materials with different thicknesses and sizes. The system is suitable for agricultural produce, seeds, food products, processed materials, and small-scale commercial packaging, helping improve product protection, storage life, handling, and presentation.

Automatic Dosa Maker

The Automatic Dosa Maker is designed to produce dosa efficiently with improved consistency, hygiene, and reduced manual effort. The system automatically dispenses batter onto a heated rotating cylindrical surface, enabling uniform spreading and controlled cooking. Its compact mechanical arrangement supports continuous operation and consistent product quality. The machine is suitable for commercial kitchens, food-processing units, cafeterias, hotels, and small food enterprises, helping improve production speed, reduce labour requirements, and standardize dosa preparation for large-scale serving.