Tata Technologies has announced the winners of InnoVent 2026, the third edition of its flagship engineering innovation hackathon, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing future-ready engineering talent in India. Focused on smart mobility solutions engineered for 2030, the initiative brought together students, industry leaders, and cutting-edge technology at a grand Demo Day held at the company’s Hinjewadi campus in Pune.
A Nationwide Innovation Movement
Launched in June 2025, InnoVent 2026 saw participation from 10,247 students across 404 colleges in 28 states, resulting in 2,822 unique projects addressing real-world challenges in automotive and manufacturing. Notably, 39 percent of participants were women, reflecting growing diversity in engineering innovation.
The programme went beyond a typical hackathon. Over 650 hours of structured training and mentoring were delivered by Tata Technologies’ Business Excellence team and subject matter experts, helping students convert ideas into industry-ready prototypes.
Smart Mobility Takes Centre Stage
The core theme, “Innovating the Future of Smart Mobility Powered by Intelligence”, encouraged solutions spanning safety, energy efficiency, accessibility, fleet optimisation, cybersecurity, and next-generation electric vehicle systems. According to Tata Technologies MD and CEO Warren Harris, InnoVent represents the company’s belief that engineering excellence, when combined with human purpose, can help engineer a better world.
Winners of InnoVent 2026
After evaluation by an eminent jury comprising leaders from Tata Technologies, Jaguar Land Rover, Air India, and ES-Tec Group, the winners were announced:
- First Prize (₹3 lakh): Team Drushti, CMR College of Engineering & Technology, Hyderabad
Intelligent vehicle infotainment customisation for visually impaired drivers based on medical conditions - Second Prize (₹1 lakh): Team The T-Factor, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai
Edge-AI-based system for automatic breakdown prevention - Third Prize (₹50,000): Team SwarmSync, International Institute of Information Technology (I²IT), Pune
Intelligent fleet operations using V2X communication
Beyond the prizes, all 42 finalists received career opportunities with Tata Technologies, underlining the company’s intent to convert campus innovation into professional growth.
A Humanoid Robot Steals the Spotlight
A standout feature of Demo Day was a humanoid robot co-host, which welcomed guests, moderated panel discussions, interacted with students, and even performed during award announcements. The robot symbolised the fusion of AI, robotics, and human creativity, mirroring the spirit of InnoVent itself.
Engineering Careers, Reimagined
All participants were granted one-year access to the iGETIT learning platform, enabling continued upskilling in emerging technologies. With InnoVent 2026, Tata Technologies has once again positioned itself at the intersection of academia, industry, and future mobility—turning student ideas into real-world impact and careers in the making.
