Team PRISM from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, India, won a two-week-all-expense paid mentorship stay in Melbourne, the grand prize in the sixth round of the Technology Infusion Grand Challenge, organised by La Trobe University.
The three team members: Prakhar Sethi, Vishal Rajeev and Mehak Saini developed a solution to predict road decay in real-time using computer vision from existing camera infrastructure together with hyperlocal weather forecasting to inform a comprehensive and proactive solution for efficient road maintenance.
During their time at La Trobe University in both Bundoora and Bendigo, they met and worked with professional experts, researchers, and academic mentors to further develop their prototype.
They also had the once in a lifetime opportunity to pitch their idea to representatives from the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, and Transurban, where they received valuable insights into what would be useful to organisations like theirs.
“A lot of people showed interest in our project, especially due to our AI capabilities that could help save a lot of money in road maintenance,” said Vishal Rajeev.
Mehak Saini added, “we learnt more about the industry standards required for this technology in Australia, so we clearly understand the work we have to do to take our project further.”
All three were grateful to everyone they met for being generous with their time and feedback. Prakhar Sethi added, “many of the people we met are still helping us to realise the commercial potential of our project. Our dream is focused on creating a start up.”
Despite the many meetings and work Mehak, Prakhar and Vishal undertook during their visit, they managed to carve out time to be tourists. They visited iconic local attractions, enjoyed Melbourne’s vibrant social and food culture, and got close to Australian wildlife in the bush as well as visiting Healesville Sanctuary.
“We are so thankful to La Trobe for creating this platform and allowing us to be a part of it,” said Mehak Saini. “We experienced such a large network which allowed us to learn so much more than we already did.”
Watch their visit highlights here.
La Trobe University extends their gratitude to the Victorian Government’s ‘Study Melbourne’ for being a co-sponsor of the Grand Challenge program.
