Srinivas University Develops AI-Powered Autonomous EV & Receptionist Robot in a significant step toward advancing artificial intelligence and smart mobility in India. Students and faculty members from the Institute of Engineering and Technology (SUIET), Srinivas University, Mukka, Mangaluru, have successfully unveiled two innovative AI-driven projects: a low-cost autonomous electric vehicle named ‘Shree Vahan’ and an intelligent AI receptionist robot called ‘SRINIBOT’. Both projects highlight how affordable AI technology can solve real-world challenges in healthcare, education, and visitor management.
AI-Based Autonomous EV Designed for Smart Patient Transportation
The autonomous electric vehicle is a retrofitted six-seater EV developed using an existing electric golf cart platform. Designed as a proof of concept for smart mobility, the vehicle integrates several advanced technologies, including LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), AI-powered vision systems, GPS navigation, and an AI assistant.
At present, the vehicle can operate autonomously along a predefined route while also featuring a remote-controlled override system that allows manual intervention whenever required. Researchers are now working to enable the EV to navigate safely in previously unmapped environments without relying on fixed routes.
One of the vehicle’s primary applications is healthcare support within the university campus. It has been modified to transport patients and is integrated with an ambulance re-routing application, enabling faster and more efficient patient movement during emergencies.
Performance, Battery and Cost
The autonomous EV is powered by a 5 kW lithium-ion battery that provides approximately 1.5 hours of backup and delivers a driving range of 20 km on a single charge.
Its top speed reaches 28 kmph in manual driving mode, while autonomous operation is intentionally limited to 5 kmph to ensure maximum safety during self-driving demonstrations.
Remarkably, the project was completed in just six months with a development budget of approximately ₹4–5 lakh, making it a cost-effective example of AI-enabled mobility innovation.
Meet SRINIBOT: The AI Receptionist Robot
Alongside the autonomous EV, Srinivas University Develops AI-Powered Autonomous EV & receptionist Robot by introducing SRINIBOT, an intelligent reception assistant built to modernize visitor engagement across the campus.
Standing around 5 feet tall, SRINIBOT was developed within one month at an estimated cost of ₹5 lakh. The robot is designed to welcome visitors, answer university-related queries, provide campus information, and assist students, parents, faculty members, and guests through natural voice conversations.
Its key features include:
- 11.6-inch interactive touchscreen display
- Integrated camera for face detection and facial recognition
- Natural voice interaction
- Multilingual communication support
- 8–10 hours of battery backup on a single charge
The robot combines artificial intelligence, computer vision, and human-robot interaction technologies to deliver a seamless digital reception experience.
Student Team Behind the Innovation
The projects were completed under the guidance of Professor Vishwas C. Shetty, while Research Associate Vishak Mendon served as the technical lead.
The student development team included Shreyas, Adwitiya, Ujjwal, Akshay, Manjunath, and Prakhyath, whose collaborative efforts resulted in two practical AI solutions with real-world applications.
During the demonstration, Srinivas University Chancellor A. Srinivas Rao received the project documentation from the student team, recognizing their achievement in developing affordable AI-powered technologies.
A Step Towards Affordable AI and Smart Mobility
Srinivas University Develops AI-Powered Autonomous EV & receptionist Robot to demonstrate how educational institutions can contribute to India’s growing AI and automation ecosystem. By combining intelligent mobility with smart human-robot interaction, these projects showcase practical applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare, campus management, and future autonomous transportation.
As research continues on fully autonomous navigation and enhanced AI capabilities, Srinivas University Develops AI-Powered Autonomous EV & receptionist Robot stands as an impressive example of student-led innovation that could inspire future advancements in smart mobility and intelligent robotics across India.
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