Pune: JSPM Engineering College Students Win 2 Lakh Prize for Water-Powered Bike System at Innovation Foundation’s National Hackathon

Pune, 24th February 2025: “We need to fulfill the dream of a developed India by 2047. To achieve this, we must strengthen key initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, Startup India, and Stand Up India. Hackathon competitions featuring innovative projects are the first step in creating the skilled workforce required for this. The State Government’s Higher and Technical Education Department is ready to provide all possible assistance for organizing such initiatives and helping students develop their projects,” assured Dr. Shailendra Deolaonkar, Director of Higher Education, Maharashtra State.

The second edition of ‘Innovate U Techathon 2.0’, a national-level hackathon organized by the ‘Innovation Foundation’ to encourage innovative ideas among students and support their entrepreneurship, concluded with great enthusiasm on Sunday. Team AquaDrove from JSPM College, Hadapsar, won the first prize of 2 lakh rupees for developing a water-powered bike system. Over 7.5 lakh rupees in prizes were distributed to more than 25 teams. Approximately 1200 students from 327 teams across the country participated in the competition, seeking solutions to various social problems in sectors like agriculture, transportation, environment, and education. They also presented innovative projects based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Dr. Karbhari Kale, Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Sanjay Sasane, Principal of the Institute of Driver Training and Research (IDTR), Kalpesh Yadav, President of Innovation Foundation, Dr. Pradeep Mane, Principal of AISSMS IOIT College, Balaji Jadhav, teacher from Zilla Parishad, and Dr. Pragya Kale was present at the event. A panel of experts including professors from COEP Technological University and officials from industrial companies evaluated the projects.

Dr. Deolaonkar said, “The implementation of the National Education Policy has begun. The previous education policy was primarily based on theoretical courses. However, the current policy emphasizes practical education and internships. We need to build a developed India in the next 25 years and take our economy to 10 trillion dollars. For this, we need to create startups and industries. We also need to work on plans and policies to improve the living standards of the common Indian. Development of the country and the creation of a developed India can be achieved through these two methods. In the coming times, we will have to solve social problems by embracing technology. We will have to establish new industries with the help of artificial intelligence. Hackathon competitions organized by the Innovation Foundation will be beneficial for this. They will lead to the creation of new entrepreneurs and provide employment opportunities to many.”

Dr. Karbhari Kale said, “The New Education Policy will be useful in creating a developed India. Universities and colleges should take advantage of this policy and focus on creating new entrepreneurs. Innovation cells and incubation centers are already functioning in universities and colleges. We need to strive to ensure that more and more students benefit from them. In the coming times, we need to create entrepreneurs who create jobs, not those who seek jobs. Hackathon competitions will be beneficial for this. Students who could not win in today’s hackathon have got an opportunity to do new research. They should contribute to the development of the country by doing socially relevant innovative research. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University and Savitribai Phule Pune University are always ready to provide the necessary assistance,” informed Vice-Chancellor Dr. Karbhari Kale.

In his introductory speech, Kalpesh Yadav announced that they will provide all possible assistance to complete their projects. Dr. Pradeep Mane expressed gratitude. Office bearers of Innovation Foundation, Tejas Yadav, Pranav Adkar, Narendra Gadde, Nikunj Ovhal, Prasanna Chavan, Harshad Pore, Madhavi Shinde, Soham Mhetre, Parth Barse, and Rutuja Katkar participated in the organization.

Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj’s Pat on the Back
To encourage the students participating in the competition, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, President of All India Shri Shivaji Maharaj Society and Member of Parliament, visited on Sunday. During this time, Shahu Maharaj observed the students’ projects and patted them on the back, encouraging them. He also appealed to them to strive to complete innovative ideas and projects.

Innovation Award Presented to Teacher Balaji Jadhav

Dr. Shailendra Deolaonkar presented the ‘Innovation Award’ to Balaji Jadhav, a teacher from Zilla Parishad School in Maan Taluka, Satara. He has worked to simplify primary school education through his YouTube channel.

Brief Information About the Winning Teams

Winners: Team AquaDrove (JSPM College, Hadapsar)
Project: Water-powered bike, running on water instead of petrol. The bike can run 50-55 km on a single tank of water.

Second Place: Team Agriva (Walchand Institute of Technology, Solapur)
Project: Developed an Autonomous Pesticide Spraying Robot (APSR). This robot automatically sprays pesticides in the fields, reducing human labor, ensuring accurate spraying, and avoiding misuse of chemicals.

Third Place: Team Dreamer (Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Kondhwa)
An application providing all facilities for people with disabilities on a single platform. This app will be useful for illiterate people.

Best AI Solution: Team Amplify (Pune Vidyarthi Griha College of Engineering and Technology)
Project: AI software that checks papers using AI-generated model answers for student evaluation.

Ratan Tata Best Innovation Award: Team Code Red (GH Raisoni College of Engineering)
Project: A smart software solution developed for ambulances, controlled by a co-pilot. This system uses map technology, IoT, and real-time traffic control to determine the fastest and safest route for ambulances.