Picture college life, and you might imagine students hunched over textbooks, cramming for exams. But at IIT Madras, innovation isn’t confined to labs or classrooms. It thrives in bustling workshops, cluttered garages, and outdoor testing tracks.
Here, student-led teams design Hyperloop pods, build Mars rovers, and race solar cars. These teams are more than clubs; they’re launchpads for the next generation of engineers, scientists, and tech leaders. Welcome to the Centre for Innovation (CFI), where nearly 1,000 students across 26 teams and 14 clubs are literally building the future.
Meet the Dream Teams
Avishkar Hyperloop brings together over 50 students developing Asia’s most advanced Hyperloop pod, “Garuda.” They’ve built India’s first student-run Hyperloop test track: a 410-meter vacuum tube right on campus. With government and industry backing, they’ve consistently ranked in the global top 5 at European Hyperloop Week and recently hosted Asia’s first Global Hyperloop Competition.
Team Abhiyaan is revolutionizing autonomous vehicles, from self-driving golf carts to Mars rovers. Their robots placed 2nd globally at the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition in the US, and they’re now building a Martian rover capable of core sampling.
Team Anveshak specializes in Mars exploration, building robust rover prototypes with robotic arms and scientific payloads. They consistently rank among top global teams at Utah’s University Rover Challenge and recently won the Indian Rover Challenge.
Raftar Formula Racing designs and builds formula-style race cars from scratch, competing in events like Formula Student Germany and Formula Bharat. They’ve won awards for design, battery systems, and modeling, placing 2nd overall in Formula Bharat’s electric category. Their journey is featured in the "Best Place to Build" podcast, which explores IIT Madras’s unique innovation culture.
Team Abhyuday developed India’s first student-built hybrid rocket engine, capable of lifting payloads to 10,000 feet. They achieved 16th place globally at the Spaceport America Cup in the USA.
Team AgniRath pioneers sustainable mobility with solar-powered vehicles. Their next-generation solar car is set to compete in the World Solar Challenge, a grueling 3,000 km race across Australia, aiming to be the first Indian team to finish.
Team Amogh revolutionizes underwater robotics with their Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. They won the Best CFI Project Award and ranked 9th globally in Singapore AUV Challenge qualifiers.
Team iGEM engineers biological solutions to global challenges, like converting Martian soil into useful products using genetically modified bacteria. With five gold and five silver medals since 2008, they’re recognized leaders in synthetic biology innovation.
Built from Scratch, Built with Heart
What makes these teams special? They build everything from the ground up. No pre-packaged kits or shortcuts. Students handle design, programming, electronics, manufacturing, testing, outreach, and fundraising. This immersive experience develops teamwork, leadership, and innovation skills that textbooks simply can’t teach.
Competing on the World Stage
These teams regularly compete in the world’s most prestigious engineering competitions, from the Spaceport America Cup to European Hyperloop Week. Students benchmark their innovations against the world’s best, gaining invaluable global exposure and real-world experience.
Why This Matters
In our rapidly evolving world, IIT Madras students aren’t just keeping up—they’re leading the charge. Their achievements in Hyperloop technology, autonomous vehicles, Mars rovers, race cars, and rocketry prove that the future is being built right now, with grit, creativity, and precision.
And the best part? Every bolt, circuit, and line of code is truly built at IIT Madras.