Surat, India: In a notable milestone for innovation emerging from Indian campuses, undergraduate students from Sarvajanik College of Engineering and Technology (SCET) in Gujarat have been granted a patent for an autonomous robotic system driven entirely by edge computing. The achievement showcases a self-reliant, cloud-independent robotics solution designed for real-world deployment.
The patented system has been conceived and developed by Archil Chovatiya, Nevil Ghelani, Kartavya Lathia, and Vatsal Gadhiya, students of the Computer Engineering Department at SCET, under the mentorship of Prof. Dhatri Pandya, Assistant Professor, Computer Engineering Department. The robot’s core innovation lies in its fully edge-computing–based architecture, allowing all critical operations—including navigation control, ArUco marker detection, object recognition, and decision-making—to be performed directly on the device rather than relying on cloud infrastructure.
This on-device intelligence ensures low latency, real-time responsiveness, enhanced reliability, and improved data security, making the system suitable for environments with limited bandwidth or strict privacy requirements. The robot also features a custom-engineered robotic arm for accurate pick-and-place operations, voice-command-based control, and a mobile chassis capable of navigating corridors and staircases.
Commenting on the broader significance of the invention, Prof. Dhatri Pandya stated, “This work demonstrates how intelligent systems can be made self-reliant through edge AI. By removing cloud dependency, the robot becomes faster, more secure, and more dependable—qualities that are essential for real-world deployment in industrial and service environments.”
Highlighting the team’s objective, a member of the student innovation group said, “Our objective was to build a robot that can operate independently in real scenarios. Integrating perception, navigation, and manipulation on the same platform shows how AI-driven robotics can meaningfully reduce human intervention in repetitive tasks.”
Another student inventor emphasized the future relevance of the technology, stating, “Edge-based autonomous robots are crucial for smart industries. Instant decision-making at the device level improves safety, efficiency, and scalability, especially in logistics and automation.”
The technical novelty of the system lies in the seamless integration of autonomous navigation, intelligent perception, and robotic manipulation, enabling object transportation without human intervention. This capability opens doors to multiple applications, including industrial automation and smart material handling, warehouse logistics and autonomous sorting, and edge-AI-enabled service robots.
The patent (Application No. 202221019895) was officially granted on January 16, 2026. The achievement underscores SCET’s emphasis on experiential learning, applied research, and innovation-driven education, while highlighting the ability of undergraduate students to deliver industry-relevant, patent-worthy technological solutions.