By Timothy A. Gonsalves, Former Director of IIT Mandi
From the phone in your hand to the historic Chandrayaan 3 that launched from Sriharikota, engineering is integral to our lives. Engineering adds tremendous value to society, making our lives easier. We can’t imagine life without electricity, the Internet, and smartphones. Soon, electric vehicles will replace petrol and diesel vehicles. All these advancements utilize technology in innovative and creative ways.
As a young student, you can become part of the next technological revolution by becoming an innovative engineer. While many students with a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) or Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree in India pursue software or MBA paths, a super choice is innovative engineering.
What Is Innovative Engineering?
Innovative engineers identify everyday problems and use technology to deliver solutions. Their power lies in thinking out-of-the-box. Many engineering graduates end up in routine jobs or leave engineering altogether. The lucky few who join product-building companies learn innovation and real-world skills on the job.
The Engineering Process
Engineering consists of four steps: 1. **Identify a societal need.** 2. **Design a solution using technology.** 3. **Implement the solution.** 4. **Deliver it to customers and ensure their satisfaction.**
Examples of Innovative Engineering
Third-year engineering students at the Government College of Engineering, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, designed a helmet with a Peltier module to cool the inside of the helmet while riding bikes in summer. Similarly, final-year students at IIT Mandi automated the process of solar panel installation using image processing of satellite images and founded The Solar Labs, which was later acquired by a leading solar panel manufacturer.
Becoming an Innovative Engineer
You can become an innovative engineer during your BTech by gaining technical common sense through practical experience. Participate in technical clubs that allow you to work with technology practically. Ensure that your projects are useful to customers and gather feedback.
Programs like LEAP from IIT Madras provide opportunities to conceive, design, and implement useful products. For instance, LEAP students from the Government Engineering College in Idukki, Kerala, designed a robotic feeder for persons with disabilities.
The Importance of Core Subjects
While some subjects like Chemistry may seem irrelevant to your aspirations, they are crucial. Technology changes rapidly, and expertise in core domains can make you a sought-after expert. For example, Machine Learning (ML) combines statistical models with domain expertise. By learning core subjects during your BTech, you can become an ML expert who understands the full spectrum of the field.
The Future of Engineering with AI
AI/ML excels in pattern recognition using large amounts of training data. However, cutting-edge research often involves scenarios without training data, such as Chandrayaan 3. The success of such projects depends on innovative human engineers.
To become a good innovative engineer, start practicing today. The core mantra: Identify, Design, Implement, Deliver.