Startups may be small companies, but they can play a significant role in economic growth. They create more jobs which means more employment, and more employment means an improved economy. Not only that, but startups can also contribute to economic dynamism by spurring innovation and injecting competition.
One may have the greatest of idea but bringing it to market and selling it as a product takes a lot more effort. To support the students and young researchers working hard to convert their ideas in business feasible products, National Centre of Robotics and Automation (NCRA) has launched its annual Robotics and Automation Startup Challenge. The challenge encourages product development for solving problems of industry and society using Robotics and Automation as a tool.
Considering the objectives of the centre, i.e., solving issues of local communities and promoting 4IR standard in the industry, for this year, the challenge had two main theme areas:
- Indigenous Product Development for Solving Societal/Industrial Problems using Robotics & Automation.
- Indigenous Product Development to Provide Automation Solution to any Local Industry in line with Industry 3.0 – 4.0
NCRA floated a call for concept notes and a total of 58 young startups applied for the challenge. A team of experts shortlisted 29 ideas based on their relevance to Robotics and Automation and idea maturity. The shortlisted applicants were than given time for development of prototypes and were asked to present the working models of their proposed ideas during final pitching rounds.
The final pitching rounds were held on 16th and 17th December 2020. Due to COVID situation the event was held online. The applicants showed the proof of concept followed by the pitch presentation. At the end Q&A session was conducted by the judges. The jury for all tactical sessions constituted of experts with technical and development sector background. One winner from each theme was to be decided based on problem identification, proposing solution and business feasibility, and the winner from each category was announced in January 2021 with a prize money of PKR 300,000.
In the theme of “Indigenous Product Development for Solving Societal/Industrial Problems using Robotics & Automation”, Greenovation – An automated system for Recycling Plastic into LPG won the prize. The startup proposed a complete cycle from collection of waste to its conversion into LPG and later on sale of produce for domestic and industrial use. With NCRA funding, the startup will be able to setup a model facility for recycling in KPK.
In the second theme i.e., “Indigenous Product Development to Provide Automation Solution to any Local Industry in line with Industry 3.0 – 4.0” startup named Smart Industrial Hopper for Pigment Filling Applications won the award. The founders have developed a pigment dispenser which has wide range of applications in industries where pigments are used. The founders have already established links with sports, leather and surgical industry in Sialkot. The founders will utilize NCRA funding towards development of improved variant of the hopper for specific industrial needs.
NCRA will conduct the Robotics and Automation startup challenge every year with themes that are most relevant to Pakistani needs. For details on upcoming events of NCRA, please visit http://ncra.org.pk
The author is the Program Manager at the National Centre of Robotics and Automation hosted at the College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (CEME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). He can be reached at qasim@ncra.org.pk.
