IIT Madras students build solar car ‘Aagneya' for global race in Australia
A team of students from IIT Madras has designed and built a solar-powered car called 'Aagneya' to take part in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025. The global race covers 3,000 kilometres across the Australian outback, from Darwin to Adelaide, and will be held from August 24 to August 31, 2025.The car was developed by Team Agnirath, a 38-member student group from IIT Madras's Centre for Innovation (CFI). What started in 2021 with just six students has now become one of India's top student-led engineering teams.advertisementThe solar car, Aagneya, was officially unveiled at the IIT Madras campus by Director Professor V Kamakoti, who praised the team's innovation and said such student-led efforts are key to building successful start-ups and unicorns in India.
Professor V Kamakoti said that IIT Madras is building a strong and structured system to support start-ups and help them scale. He highlighted that the Institute had incubated over 100 start-ups and filed more than 470 patents in the last financial year.'We even had our first IPO from an IIT Madras-incubated start-up recently,' he noted with pride. He added that revenue earned is reinvested into nurturing new ventures, and encouraged students by saying, 'You must have the confidence that if you are part of a start-up from IIT Madras, it will lead to a unicorn.'USE OF SMART TECHNOLOGYadvertisementOne major upgrade in Aagneya is its full carbon fibre body, one of the largest ever made by an Indian student team. This helped reduce the car's weight significantly.The solar panel's efficiency was improved from 19 percent to 24 percent, and the battery size was reduced while maintaining high performance.The car also features AI-based control systems. A machine learning module guides race decisions based on weather, terrain, and solar energy, while a live telemetry system sends real-time updates to the pit crew.INNOVATION AND SUPPORTThe project received strong support from sponsors like Game Change Solar, Billion Mobility, Charge Zone, and COEZET, enabling students to access top-quality materials and testing facilities.Mr Sairam J, Business Module Lead, Team Agnirath and a third-year Biological Science student, IIT Madras, described the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge as much more than a simple race, calling it 'the most demanding engineering competition in the world."'Daytime temperatures soar above 50C and drop below 5C at night,' he said, adding that crosswinds exceeding 60 km/h pose serious challenges to the car's stability and aerodynamic performance.He explained that the event spans over 3,000 kilometres from Darwin to Adelaide, cutting through the harsh Australian outback.Must Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
36 minutes ago
- Hans India
Rawbare Day-Night Sunglasses: A New Horizon in Market Competition and Affordable Pricing
In modern lifestyles, eye protection has become essential. We work under various lighting conditions day and night, which places considerable strain on our eyes. In this context, the Rawbare Day Night Sunglasses collection has brought about a new revolution in the sunglasses industry. Today's analysis focuses on how this product outshines others in terms of market competition and pricing. Current Market Overview and Competitive Landscape The Indian sunglass market is going through a massive shift right now. Traditionally, this segment has two key divisions: on one hand, premium brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Prada prevail, costing more than 10,000 INR; on the other hand, local and entry-level products range between 500 and 1000 INR. There was a huge vacuum between these two extremes, and brands like Rawbare have now stepped into fill that gap. The current market is witnessing a competition between mid-priced brands like Fastrack, Vincent Chase, Lenskart, and Titan Eyeplus. However, the technological excellence and pricing strategies of Rawbare Day Night Sunglasses have added a new dimension to this competition. Rawbare's Position Compared to Competitors Quality-wise wise Rawbare Day Night Sunglasses outpace their competitors in several key areas. Firstly, their UV400 protection system prevents 100% UVA/UVB radiation - exceeding the ISO 12312-1 standard. Independent tests have shown that these sunglasses can reduce the glare from reflected light by up to 99.6%. From a technical standpoint, Rawbare's dual-purpose lens technology is a standout. These lenses automatically adapt to the intensity of ambient light—cutting glare by 40% in bright sunshine and boosting contrast in dusk-and-dark conditions. This technology is far more advanced than the ordinary polarized lenses offered by Fastrack or Vincent Chase.' In its frame construction, Rawbare uses a blend of cellulose acetate and nylon fiber with a tensile strength of 120 MPa. This material is extremely lightweight (just 28 grams) yet remarkably sturdy. By comparison, most competitor brands use standard polycarbonate, which is less durable. Rawbare's Unique Value Proposition The core strength of Rawbare Day Night Sunglasses lies in its versatile use cases. A single sunglass can be used all day and night. Driving, outdoor sports, and office work - their effectiveness is proven in all scenarios. Such versatility is absent in other brands. Conducting a survey on 5000 people, the company has made 6 different frame sizes that are perfect fits for 98% of adult faces. This anthropometric customization is rare among their competitors. In environmental awareness, too, Rawbare is ahead of the curve. Biodegradable cellulose acetate is sourced from FSC-certified plantations. In the production process, 92% of solvent waste is recycled. This eco-friendly approach is extremely appealing to today's conscious consumers. Affordable Pricing and Value for Money The biggest advantage of Rawbare is their pricing strategy. Their sunglasses are available at a range of 1599-2499 INR, which is 60-70% cheaper than luxury brands. Although their technical features are nearly on par - or even superior in some cases A consumer survey reveals that 89% of consumers believe the quality of Rawbare's sunglasses is on par with brands three times its price. Thanks to the Direct-to-Consumer selling model, traditional retail markups are bypassed. As a result, the company can afford to offer products at a lower price to their customers while profiting 22% higher than the industry average. Customer Satisfaction and Market Acceptance Consumer review analysis also tells that Rawbare Day Night Sunglasses have an 87% consumer satisfaction rate. Especially its durability, comfort, and trendy designs have impressed the customers. Independent research conducted by Delhi Eye Science Institute has shown that Rawbar users experience 27% less strain on their eyes than unpolarized sunglass users. Rawbare's Contribution to Health Protection The rising usage of digital screens in today's age is the reason behind the increasing eye problems. Rawbare's Amber-tinted variant can filter 45% of HEV(High energy visible) light in the 415-455 nanometer range. This blue filtration system is especially beneficial for urban professionals who spend most of their days in front of computers. From the security perspective, Rawbare lenses have passed the test in which a 6 mm steel ball was propelled at 45 m/s without any cracks or distortion. This test satisfies EN 166 industrial eye security standards. As a result, these sunglasses are suitable for high-impact sports like cycling and mountaineering. Market Impact and Future Prospects Rawbare's augmented reality try-on feature has elevated the online buying experience. Using a facial-mapping algorithm, shoppers can virtually confirm how the sunglasses will fit their face. Thanks to this enhanced online shopping tool, the product return rate has decreased by 35%. More than 50,000 monthly organic impressions are being generated through influencer partnerships on social media. This digital ecosystem is rapidly boosting the brand's popularity. By providing real-time inventory updates and guaranteeing dispatch within 24 hours, they have addressed digital shopping's biggest pain points—and elevated the overall standard of customer service The tide of change in the Industry The success of Rawbare proved that the eyeware industry's age-old 10x markup model no longer works. Other brands, too, are adopting the direct-to-consumer model, ditching intermediaries. Conclusion Rawbare's Day-Night sunglasses have set a brand-new benchmark in the market. Combining cutting-edge technology, ethical manufacturing, and wallet-friendly pricing, they clearly outshine the competition. For middle-income shoppers, they're a rare chance to own luxury-quality eyewear at everyday prices. Their soaring popularity proves that striking the perfect balance between quality and affordability is what truly wins customers' hearts.
Fashion Value Chain
36 minutes ago
- Fashion Value Chain
Madame Opens New Fashion Store in Ludhiana's Model Town
Madame, one of India's leading women's fashion brands, strengthens its hometown presence with the opening of a new store in Model Town, Ludhiana. This marks a key milestone in the brand's continued retail expansion and celebrates its deep roots in the city where it began. Already present at Pavilion Mall, MBD Mall, Ghumar Mandi, and Chandigarh Highway, Madame's latest addition reflects its growing popularity and commitment to delivering accessible global fashion to urban and emerging Indian markets. Akhil Jain, MD & CEO of Madame, shared, 'Ludhiana is more than our origin—it's our inspiration. The unwavering support from local shoppers fuels our innovation and motivates us to bring premium fashion closer to home.' The Model Town store offers Madame's complete summer collection featuring breathable dresses, trendy tops, statement denim, co-ord sets, handbags, perfumes, stoles, and more. With vibrant prints and modern silhouettes—from florals to geometrics—the collection reflects Madame's focus on fabric innovation, trend forecasting, and data-driven design. This store promises an immersive retail experience that aligns with the fashion-forward mindset of Ludhiana's stylish women.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
FPI sentiment sees uplift: Foreign investors inject Rs 3,346 crore into Indian equity markets; driven by RBI rate cut
NEW DELHI: Foreign portfolio investors injected Rs 3,346.94 crore into Indian equity markets during the week, driven by optimistic sentiment following the Reserve Bank of India 's (RBI) interest rate reduction, as reported by National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) data. The RBI's rate reduction bolstered investor confidence, resulting in substantial FPI inflows during the initial three trading sessions from June 9 to June 13, according to the reported quoted by ANI. The escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, however, affected investor sentiment towards the week's end. However, FPIs withdrew Rs 3,275.76 crore from Indian equities on Friday, the final trading session. This substantial withdrawal reduced the week's net investment to the net figure. During periods of international conflicts, such as the current Israel-Iran situation, investors typically favour secure assets like gold, potentially reducing investments in developing markets including India. Despite the week's positive inflows, June's overall FPI investment remains negative. According to NSDL data, FPIs have withdrawn Rs 5,402 crore from Indian equity markets in June thus far. The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announced an unexpected 50 basis points rate reduction on June 6th. The repo rate decreased to 5.5 per cent, strengthening investor confidence. May had also recorded positive net foreign portfolio investment (FPI) inflows of Rs 19,860 crore, establishing it as the strongest month for foreign investment this year. Previous data indicated FPIs sold shares worth Rs 3,973 crore in March. They had additionally sold equities valued at Rs 78,027 crore and Rs 34,574 crore in January and February, respectively. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
