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IIT Madras to Showcase Hyperloop, 6G and AI Innovations at Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice
When the glittering streets of Nice host the 2026 edition of Bharat Innovates, IIT Madras is set to turn the spotlight on a portfolio of deep‑tech startups and research projects that promise to reshape transportation, telecommunications and maritime sustainability.
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras will present its innovations at Bharat Innovates 2026, an international technology showcase organised by the Ministry of Education from 14 to 16 June in Nice, France. The event is part of the India‑France Year of Innovation and aims to connect Indian innovators with French universities, research laboratories, industry leaders and investors.
IIT Madras will lead two of the 13 thematic tracks at the conference: Blue Economy and Next‑Generation Communications. The institute will exhibit 15 startups incubated on its campus, along with five flagship research projects. The showcase is expected to open collaboration opportunities with French partners and to highlight India’s progress in telecommunications, maritime technology, transportation systems and artificial intelligence.
According to IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti, the India‑France Year of Innovation 2026 and Bharat Innovates 2026 could create new avenues for partnership with French universities, research laboratories, startups and industries. He added that the institute sees potential for collaboration in 6G technologies, startup partnerships, technology transfer, standards development and talent exchange programmes. Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research, said the platform would help showcase India’s deep‑tech innovation and research‑driven entrepreneurship while providing exposure to startups and creating opportunities for collaborations with French institutions.
Under the Next‑Generation Communications track, IIT Madras will present research that supports ultra‑low latency networks, intelligent automation, sensing technologies and distributed AI applications. Startups such as REIO Systems, Astrome Technologies and WiSig Networks will demonstrate software‑defined radio platforms, wireless backhaul systems and Open RAN‑based 5G solutions.
In the Blue Economy segment, IIT Madras will showcase technologies aimed at maritime infrastructure, shipping and sustainability. Planys Technologies will present remotely operated vehicles, autonomous systems and AI‑based diagnostics for inspecting underwater infrastructure. Zerocircle has developed seaweed‑based natural polymer materials that can serve as an alternative to conventional plastic packaging.
A major attraction will be the institute’s Hyperloop technology. IIT Madras has been designated the Centre of Excellence for Hyperloop Technology by the Ministry of Railways. The startup TuTr Hyperloop, incubated at IIT Madras, has demonstrated electromagnetic levitation, linear induction motor propulsion and vacuum tube operations at the IIT Madras Discovery Campus. The demonstration was part of a broader effort to develop India’s first high‑speed transportation system.
The IIT Madras pavilion will also feature research from the Indian Centre for Lab‑Grown Diamonds (InCent‑LGD). Researchers have developed laser‑based technologies that embed invisible QR codes and customised markings inside diamonds without affecting their structure or clarity. The technology is expected to support authentication and traceability in the diamond industry.
Other exhibits include smart port automation systems developed by the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) and work by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation on small language models designed for low‑cost and energy‑efficient AI applications.
Through its participation, IIT Madras aims to present India’s growing capabilities in telecommunications, maritime technologies, transportation systems and artificial intelligence to a global audience. The event is expected to generate discussions on technology transfer, joint research, investment and market access for the showcased startups and research projects.
The conference will bring together investors, policymakers, industry leaders, research organisations and technology partners from across the world. It is part of a national initiative that seeks to identify and promote technology ventures emerging from higher education institutions and centrally funded technical institutes.
In summary, IIT Madras’ presence at Bharat Innovates 2026 will showcase a range of deep‑tech innovations, from Hyperloop propulsion to 6G communication research, and will position the institute as a key player in India’s strategy to engage with European partners on advanced technology development.
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras will present its innovations at Bharat Innovates 2026, an international technology showcase organised by the Ministry of Education from 14 to 16 June in Nice, France. The event is part of the India‑France Year of Innovation and aims to connect Indian innovators with French universities, research laboratories, industry leaders and investors.
IIT Madras will lead two of the 13 thematic tracks at the conference: Blue Economy and Next‑Generation Communications. The institute will exhibit 15 startups incubated on its campus, along with five flagship research projects. The showcase is expected to open collaboration opportunities with French partners and to highlight India’s progress in telecommunications, maritime technology, transportation systems and artificial intelligence.
According to IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti, the India‑France Year of Innovation 2026 and Bharat Innovates 2026 could create new avenues for partnership with French universities, research laboratories, startups and industries. He added that the institute sees potential for collaboration in 6G technologies, startup partnerships, technology transfer, standards development and talent exchange programmes. Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research, said the platform would help showcase India’s deep‑tech innovation and research‑driven entrepreneurship while providing exposure to startups and creating opportunities for collaborations with French institutions.
Under the Next‑Generation Communications track, IIT Madras will present research that supports ultra‑low latency networks, intelligent automation, sensing technologies and distributed AI applications. Startups such as REIO Systems, Astrome Technologies and WiSig Networks will demonstrate software‑defined radio platforms, wireless backhaul systems and Open RAN‑based 5G solutions.
In the Blue Economy segment, IIT Madras will showcase technologies aimed at maritime infrastructure, shipping and sustainability. Planys Technologies will present remotely operated vehicles, autonomous systems and AI‑based diagnostics for inspecting underwater infrastructure. Zerocircle has developed seaweed‑based natural polymer materials that can serve as an alternative to conventional plastic packaging.
A major attraction will be the institute’s Hyperloop technology. IIT Madras has been designated the Centre of Excellence for Hyperloop Technology by the Ministry of Railways. The startup TuTr Hyperloop, incubated at IIT Madras, has demonstrated electromagnetic levitation, linear induction motor propulsion and vacuum tube operations at the IIT Madras Discovery Campus. The demonstration was part of a broader effort to develop India’s first high‑speed transportation system.
The IIT Madras pavilion will also feature research from the Indian Centre for Lab‑Grown Diamonds (InCent‑LGD). Researchers have developed laser‑based technologies that embed invisible QR codes and customised markings inside diamonds without affecting their structure or clarity. The technology is expected to support authentication and traceability in the diamond industry.
Other exhibits include smart port automation systems developed by the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) and work by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation on small language models designed for low‑cost and energy‑efficient AI applications.
Through its participation, IIT Madras aims to present India’s growing capabilities in telecommunications, maritime technologies, transportation systems and artificial intelligence to a global audience. The event is expected to generate discussions on technology transfer, joint research, investment and market access for the showcased startups and research projects.
The conference will bring together investors, policymakers, industry leaders, research organisations and technology partners from across the world. It is part of a national initiative that seeks to identify and promote technology ventures emerging from higher education institutions and centrally funded technical institutes.
In summary, IIT Madras’ presence at Bharat Innovates 2026 will showcase a range of deep‑tech innovations, from Hyperloop propulsion to 6G communication research, and will position the institute as a key player in India’s strategy to engage with European partners on advanced technology development.
