BITS Pilani, through its Work Integrated Learning Programmes, inaugurated its Smart Manufacturing Competency Centre in Bengaluru, the second in a planned series of competency centres being set up across India in 2026. The launch follows the Automotive Competency Centre opened in Chennai in February.

The centre will support experiential learning, applied research, faculty development and industry collaboration. Located in Bengaluru, it will focus on smart manufacturing, digital transformation and real-world engineering challenges across sectors such as aerospace, defence, electronics, automotive and advanced manufacturing.

The SMCC will focus on mechatronics, industrial automation, IIoT, AI and machine learning, digital twins, virtual commissioning and advanced robotics. Its learning factory environment will allow companies and MSMEs to prototype, test and validate solutions before shopfloor deployment, helping reduce cost, risk and technical barriers.

The facility includes laboratories for mechatronics, machine vision, Industry 4.0 and 5.0 systems, industrial robotics, extended reality and rapid prototyping. BITS Pilani said the centre will help working professionals, students and faculty build industry-ready skills while supporting India’s transition towards smarter and more resilient manufacturing systems.