In an interview, Dr. G. Velmurugan, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering at Mohan Babu University, spoke with TimesTech on the outcomes of i-SMAART 2025. He shared key insights on how AI, automation, robotics, and Industry 4.0 technologies are enabling sustainable manufacturing, strengthening academia–industry collaboration, and preparing India for a future driven by responsible, innovation-led industrial growth.
Read the full interview here:
TimesTech: i-SMAART 2025 brought together academia, industry, and policymakers from across the globe. What key insights emerged from the conference on how AI, automation, and robotics can drive sustainable manufacturing without compromising environmental responsibility?
Velmurugan: The i-SMAART 2025 conference highlighted several critical insights on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and robotics to advance sustainable manufacturing while maintaining strong environmental responsibility. A key takeaway was that AI-driven data analytics and machine learning algorithms enable manufacturers to optimize resource utilization by reducing material waste, energy consumption, and process inefficiencies. Predictive maintenance powered by AI was emphasized as an effective tool to minimize unplanned downtime, extend machine life, and lower energy and raw material usage, thereby supporting sustainable operations.
Another important insight focused on intelligent automation and robotics, which can significantly enhance precision and consistency in manufacturing processes. Advanced robotic systems reduce defects and rework, leading to lower scrap rates and improved material efficiency. Collaborative robots (cobots) were discussed as a means to improve productivity while ensuring worker safety and ergonomics, aligning economic sustainability with social responsibility.
The conference also underscored the role of digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and cyber-physical systems in enabling real-time monitoring of emissions, energy usage, and environmental impacts. Policymakers emphasized that technology adoption must be supported by clear regulatory frameworks and sustainability standards to ensure responsible implementation. Overall, i-SMAART 2025 demonstrated that when integrated thoughtfully, AI, automation, and robotics can drive cleaner, smarter, and more resilient manufacturing systems without compromising environmental goals.
TimesTech: With a strong focus on Industry 4.0 technologies such as digital twins, cyber-physical systems, and AI-driven manufacturing, how is Mohan Babu University positioning itself as a hub for future-ready engineering and applied research?
Velmurugan: Mohan Babu University (MBU) is strategically positioning itself as a hub for future-ready engineering and applied research by actively integrating Industry 4.0 technologies into its academic, research, and innovation ecosystem. A major strength lies in the university’s emphasis on digital transformation through tools such as digital twins, cyber-physical systems, and AI-driven manufacturing platforms. These technologies are being aligned with real-world manufacturing challenges, enabling students and researchers to simulate, monitor, and optimize production systems in virtual and physical environments simultaneously.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering plays a pivotal role through its well-established laboratories, micromachining research center, and industry-collaborative skill development labs supported by APSSDC–Siemens. These facilities provide hands-on exposure to automation, smart manufacturing, and data-driven decision-making. Furthermore, MBU encourages interdisciplinary research by bringing together mechanical engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, and data analytics to develop sustainable and intelligent manufacturing solutions.
By hosting international conferences such as i-SMAART 2025, MBU fosters global academic and industrial collaboration, knowledge exchange, and policy-oriented discussions. This exposure strengthens applied research and enhances the university’s visibility in emerging technologies. Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate MBU’s commitment to nurturing industry-ready graduates, promoting innovation-led research, and contributing meaningfully to the advancement of Industry 4.0–driven manufacturing systems.
TimesTech: Sustainability was a central theme at i-SMAART 2025. How do you see eco-friendly manufacturing practices and smart production systems reshaping industrial productivity in India over the next decade?
Velmurugan: Over the next decade, eco-friendly manufacturing practices coupled with smart production systems are poised to profoundly transform industrial productivity in India, driving both economic growth and environmental stewardship. As India progresses toward its sustainable development goals, integrating cleaner, energy-efficient technologies will be critical. Smart production systems—such as IoT-enabled machinery, predictive analytics, and automated control systems—will enhance operational efficiency by reducing waste, conserving resources, and minimizing emissions. These digital tools enable real-time monitoring and optimization of production lines, allowing manufacturers to make data-informed decisions that improve overall equipment effectiveness while reducing environmental footprints.
Eco-friendly practices like closed-loop recycling, green supply chain management, and renewable energy adoption will become increasingly mainstream as regulatory frameworks tighten and consumer demand for sustainable products grows. Advanced manufacturing solutions such as digital twins will allow simulation of production scenarios, enabling companies to test energy-saving initiatives virtually before implementation, thereby cutting costs and environmental impact simultaneously. Additionally, AI and machine learning will support adaptive process control, reduce material usage and predict maintenance needs to prevent resource-intensive breakdowns.
In India, where manufacturing is a key driver of employment and GDP, these technologies will not only boost productivity but also foster resilience against global supply chain disruptions. Firms that embrace sustainability and smart technologies will gain competitive advantage, attract investment, and contribute to India’s transition toward a low-carbon, high-efficiency industrial landscape.
TimesTech: The conference also highlighted the importance of future-ready engineering education. How is Mohan Babu University evolving its curriculum, skill-development initiatives, and industry collaborations to align students with emerging manufacturing technologies?
Velmurugan: Mohan Babu University (MBU) is actively transforming its engineering education ecosystem to ensure students are equipped for the demands of emerging manufacturing technologies. A core strategy involves updating the curriculum to incorporate Industry 4.0–relevant subjects such as digital manufacturing, automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cyber-physical systems. These topics are integrated into both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, fostering a deep understanding of smart production principles and sustainable manufacturing practices. The curriculum enhancements emphasize practical applications alongside foundational theory, encouraging students to tackle real-world challenges through project-based learning.
To further bridge the gap between academia and industry, MBU has instituted skill-development initiatives that provide hands-on training in state-of-the-art laboratories. Through partnerships with industry leaders such as Siemens and the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), students gain exposure to advanced tools and platforms used in modern factories, including automation suites and simulation software. These collaborations also support certification programs that enhance employability and technical credibility.
Moreover, MBU fosters industry collaborations through internships, joint research projects, and industry-sponsored labs. Engagements with manufacturing firms and technology providers offer students opportunities to work on live industry problems, gain mentorship from professionals, and understand current industrial workflows. By hosting international conferences like i-SMAART 2025, the university further strengthens global academic networks, exposing students and faculty to cutting-edge research and practices. Collectively, these initiatives position MBU graduates to be competent, agile, and industry-ready engineers in a technology-driven manufacturing landscape.
TimesTech: Academia–industry collaboration featured prominently during the deliberations. Can you share how partnerships with industry and global institutions are helping translate research outcomes into scalable, real-world manufacturing solutions?
Velmurugan: Partnerships between academia, industry, and global institutions were a cornerstone of discussion at i-SMAART 2025, demonstrating how collaborative ecosystems accelerate the translation of research into scalable, real-world manufacturing solutions. One key mechanism is joint research programs, where universities and industry partners co-define problem statements rooted in actual manufacturing challenges. By aligning academic inquiry with industrial needs, research outputs—such as predictive analytics models, automation frameworks, or energy-efficient process designs—are inherently more applicable and ready for deployment in factory settings. These collaborations also help universities access industry-grade datasets, equipment, and domain expertise, which are critical for validating solutions beyond controlled lab environments.
Industry partners contribute through funding, mentorship, and technology transfer pathways, enabling rapid prototyping and iterative refinement that academic projects alone cannot typically achieve. Many corporations also host interns and research scholars, embedding students within operational teams where theoretical innovations can be stress-tested and adapted for performance, cost, and safety requirements. Global institutional linkages, including partnerships with overseas universities and research labs, further introduce international best practices and diverse perspectives, increasing the competitiveness and scalability of technologies developed locally.
Another important factor is the establishment of industry-aligned centers of excellence and innovation hubs on campus. These serve as bridges where academia and industry collaborate on long-term R&D, standardize interface protocols, and co-develop intellectual property frameworks conducive to commercialization. The result is a vibrant pipeline where academic research is not confined to publications, but more importantly, evolves into industrial applications that enhance productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness in modern manufacturing ecosystems.
TimesTech: As India strengthens its position in advanced manufacturing and applied research, what role do platforms like i-SMAART play in enhancing the country’s global stature and shaping responsible, innovation-led manufacturing ecosystems?
Velmurugan: Platforms such as i-SMAART play a crucial strategic role in strengthening India’s position in advanced manufacturing and applied research by acting as catalysts for global engagement, knowledge exchange, and responsible innovation. Conferences like i-SMAART bring together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and academicians on a common platform, enabling India to showcase its research capabilities, industrial potential, and commitment to sustainable manufacturing. This global visibility enhances the country’s academic credibility and reinforces its image as an emerging hub for intelligent and eco-friendly manufacturing systems.
Such platforms facilitate the cross-fertilization of ideas by exposing Indian researchers and industries to international best practices, advanced technologies, and policy frameworks. Discussions on AI, automation, robotics, and sustainability help align domestic research priorities with global manufacturing trends and standards. Importantly, i-SMAART promotes responsible innovation by emphasizing ethical technology adoption, environmental stewardship, and inclusive growth, ensuring that industrial advancement does not come at the cost of ecological or social well-being.
Furthermore, conferences like i-SMAART foster long-term collaborations, joint research initiatives, and industry partnerships that accelerate technology transfer and commercialization. They also contribute to capacity building by inspiring young researchers and engineers to engage in cutting-edge, solution-oriented research. Collectively, such platforms help shape innovation-led manufacturing ecosystems in India, supporting the nation’s transition toward high-value, sustainable, and globally competitive industrial development.
