Tirupati’s Ratan Tata Innovation Hub opens Idea Lab, a studio room for start-ups

Tirupati District Collector S. Venkateswar looks at innovation at the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub in Tirupati on Wednesday after inaugurating the new Idea Lab and study room. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH), Tirupati, on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) launched Idea Lab and Studio Room to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

Tirupati District Collector S. Venkateswar inaugurated the facility at the RTIH premises, along with Revenue Division Officer (Srikalahasti) Bhanuprakash Reddy.

Mr. Venkateswar has worked with several RTIH-backed startups and explored a range of technologies in healthcare, infrastructure and other fields.

Among the innovations he was shown were a portable device powered by artificial intelligence to diagnose strabismus, or squint (Squint Sense); artificial intelligence-based rehabilitation hand gloves for stroke therapy and neurorehabilitation therapy; robotic solution for monitoring and cleaning underground drainages (Infra Robot); and a development platform designed to simplify and accelerate hardware innovation (UniHub).

In his interaction with Venkata Kamesh, the resource person of the ongoing RTIH drone bootcamp, the collector asked the aspirants to use emerging technologies, including the expanding drone ecosystem, to develop solutions to real-world problems.

RTIH CEO Vijayawanth Mathur said the Idea Lab will support ideation, design thinking, innovation and prototype development for students and startups. Studio Room would help with podcast production, launch interviews, founder stories and digital content creation, he said.

RTIH Head of Incubation D. Pragathi said it is important to provide innovators with access to infrastructure and mentorship.

Published – 18 Jun 2026 11:44 IST