THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Scores of engineering students and electronics aspirants have been visiting the recently-started Electronic Fabrication Laboratories (Fablab) in Technopark and Technology Innovation Zone in Kochi to develop prototypes of innovative products as well as have a hands-on experience of state-of-the-art equipment.
Over the last few months, over 1,500 students and aspirants visited the two Fablabs. Apart from innovators, some firms had also made enquiries of using the facility as the cost of developing prototypes at the Fablabs is about five times cheaper than that in other places.
“It is a blessing for students like us who are working on various product developments, mainly owing to cost factor and convenience,” said D. Renjith, a final-year engineering student in Thiruvananthapuram.
Gadgets and tools like 3D printers of various dimensions, laser cutters, vinyl plotters and scroll saw as well as components for developing prototypes, including circuit boards, are available at the Fablabs.
“We have set up the Fablabs at a time when the product- based start-ups are coming ups,” said Kerala Start-up Mission (KSUM) chief executive officer Jayashankar Prasad. “A major obstacle for innovations in electronic sector so far has been the unavailability of Fablabs to develop prototypes,” he added.
The Fablabs were set up in association with US-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology at a cost of Rs 7.10 crore. “Apart from students, some firms are also enquiring about the possibility of developing prototypes at the Fablabs owing to convenience and cost factors. So far, students and firms had to depend on Fablabs in places like Bangalore, which is a time-consuming process. It is also
almost five times costlier than that of developing prototypes here,” said KSUM
technical officer and Fablabs coordinator Vinod Kumar.
