IIIT Hyderabad and Hexagon R&D India are setting up the Hexagon Digital Twin Centre of Excellence (CoE) to advance research and education in digital twins, computer vision and spatial computing. The centre will combine artificial intelligence (AI) with industry-grade technologies to help convert research concepts into practical applications.
Centre to Connect Research with Industry
The CoE will provide students, faculty and researchers with access to Hexagon’s Leica BLK360 G2 precision imaging laser scanner and associated software. These technologies will enable researchers to create high-fidelity digital twins and explore new approaches to capturing and digitally representing physical environments. Furthermore, the centre will support applied research, prototypes and proof-of-concepts focused on real-world industry challenges. Students and researchers will also gain hands-on experience with industry-grade technologies and datasets while developing applications in spatial computing and computer vision. Prof. Sandeep K. Shukla, Director, IIIT Hyderabad, said the collaboration will provide researchers and students with access to advanced technologies and real-world spatial data. He added that the centre will help create opportunities to translate academic research into practical applications and build a stronger research and innovation ecosystem.
Focus on AI and Digital Twin Applications
The collaboration will build on Hexagon’s academic partnerships in deep technology and foundational sciences while supporting the development of AI capabilities in India. Through the CoE, students and researchers can explore how digital twins, computer vision and spatial computing can address challenges across industries. In addition, access to real-world datasets and industry technologies will help researchers test ideas in practical environments. Navaneet Mishra, Senior Vice President and Head of Hexagon’s R&D India, said that technologies capable of capturing, understanding and digitally representing the physical world are creating new possibilities across industries. He added that the collaboration will give students and researchers access to Hexagon’s technologies as well as real-world industry challenges.
Advancing Deep-Tech Research in India
Nora Hollenstein, VP, AI Hub at Hexagon AB, said the company has research collaborations across the world and aims to extend this ecosystem to India through the new centre. As reported by manufacturingtodayindia.com, the CoE will provide an environment where researchers can test new ideas, conduct deeper research and develop solutions for real-world applications. Consequently, the initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry in areas such as AI, digital twins, computer vision and spatial computing.
