At present, there are two fablabs in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.
ALAPPUZHA: Kerala Startup Mission is planning to set up 50 fablabs in the state in 2017 in addition to the existing two and tie-up with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University to introduce fablabs in engineering colleges under it. The fablabs, or fabrication laboratories, are small-scale workshops with facilities for digital fabrication. The fablabs in the state, currently set up in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, provide a two-year digital fabrication course spread over four semesters with the certificate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Mission now aims at making the state tech varsity also come on board and issue certificates.
"This opportunity would open up a global platform for talented students," Kerala Startup Mission chief executive officer Saji Gopinath told DC. "The programme is based on MIT's 'MAS.863 HTMAA (How To Make Almost Anything', a course developed at MIT focussed on providing a hands-on introduction to designing and fabricating smart systems)," he said. "The course aims at helping every student learn how to build products and prototypes and will complement their academic learning," Mr Gopinath said. "The Mission was also planning to implement metal cutting and printing technology. The Mission is also in talks with MIT for setting up a super fablab in Kochi."
Kerala was the first state in India to sign up with the Fab City movement in 2015 with the motto "make what they use, and use what they make" introduced by professor Neil Gershenfeld of MIT. Apart from the two fablabs, the state has also set up 20 mini fablabs in engineering colleges which are linked with about 1,000 fablabs around the world.
