On August 2, 2025, Team Ganeshkumar S., Kalimuthu C., Bhuwanesh A. and Vignesh H. from NIT Trichy seized the 3rd prize in the prestigious ROBO BLEND competition, earning ₹18,000! Held under the banner of NATIONAL Pick & Place, this challenge tested participants’ skills in automation robotics—tasked with picking up diverse objects (a tin, a ball, and a box) and placing them into precise slots within tight time limits.
What the “Pick & Place” Challenge Is All About
As a core event in the ROBO BLEND robotics competition, this contest reflects essential industrial automation tasks:
- Design & Build: The robot must feature a gripper or end-effector capable of grasping tight or awkward objects.
- Programming Brainpower: It must receive accurate commands—calling for precise movement, timing, and error handling, all on an optimized routine.
- Precision Under Pressure: Speed matters—but so does consistency. Whether the object is a smooth ball, rigid tin, or box, the robot needs both finesse and force.
Participants get scored on successful pickups, accurate placements, time efficiency, and penalties for mishandling or misalignments.
Celebrating Team Achievements
The quartet from NIT Trichy demonstrated a powerful trifecta:
- Mechanical Design – A gripper robust enough for diverse objects yet agile enough for quick cycles.
- Smart Software Control – Developed algorithms for object detection, path planning, and timing to streamline operations with minimal errors.
- Team Coordination – Each team member contributed across design, fabrication, coding, and tuning—the kind of multi-skilled teamwork crucial in real-world automation.
Their performance — a flawless demonstration under pressure — earned them a well-deserved podium finish and ₹18,000 in prize money!
Bridging the Gap: College Projects to Factory Floors
Pick & place robots are foundational to modern industrial automation—from car parts builds to electronics manufacturing. Here’s why this competition experience matters:
- Hands-On Engineering: This goes far beyond classroom theory. Builders tune motors, craft grippers, and write code that works under real-world conditions.
- Industrial Relevance: NIT’s Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing features a Pick & Place Robotic Cell, just like the ones in class and labs, proving that student work often mirrors industry standards.
- Team Dynamics: In real automation careers, cross-functional coordination—mechanical, electrical, software—is non-negotiable. Competitions like this foster exactly that synergy.
Why NIT Trichy Leads in Robotics
NIT Trichy has built a reputation in robotics through strong community backing and rich infrastructure:
- The RMI (Robotics & Machine Intelligence) Club, the institute’s official robotics wing, fosters deep interest and opportunities for students in building and competing.
- The Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing has dedicated robotic cells—Pick & Place, Welding, and more—allowing students to engage in real industrial‐scale projects.
- As a top-ranked central institute (NIRF #9 in engineering, #31 overall in India, 2024) , NIT Trichy attracts both talent and resources across engineering domains.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Trophy
Team Ganeshkumar, Kalimuthu, Bhuwanesh, and Vignesh did more than win a prize—they demonstrated innovation, skill, and real-world readiness.
Their achievement:
- Inspires future batches to push the envelope in NIT Trichy’s thriving robotics culture.
- Validates hands-on skills in robot design, programming, test cycles.
- Builds confidence to tackle industrial challenges beyond campus.
