IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti says that soon being just a computer scientist will not suffice as the world is moving towards the stage of Industry 4.0 where cyber-physical systems are used.

Describing the need for cyber-physical systems, technology development, cost reduction, and data protection, Prof V Kamakoti, stressed the need for saving power, enabling access to technology at an affordable cost, and serving the country effectively.

“We have evolved from mechanisation, water power, steam power, mass production, assembly line, electricity, computer and, automation to cyber-physical systems. The success of this Industry 4.0 will depend on how well we can integrate technology into five priority sectors — namely management, agriculture, health care, fintech, and space technology.”

Physician-scientists

Cyber-physical systems integrate sensing, computation, control, and networking into physical objects and infrastructure, connecting them to the internet and to each other.

Prof Kamakoti was addressing over 3,500 students and faculty from SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Kattankulathur, who participated in the seventh edition of Dr Paarivendhar Lecture Series, the theme of which was ‘research and education in emerging and disruptive technologies’.

Emphasising the role of physicians-scientists, he said, “They are the driving force behind the understanding of diseases, and the development of therapies, devices, and technologies. Roughly 60-70 per cent of FDA approvals, and policy guidelines that dictate a patient’s diagnosis, treatment, and recovery time have been influenced by them. The links between sugar and diabetes, smoking and cancer, may not have been proven without physician-scientists.”

Role of start-ups

He also mentioned the exciting solutions provided by the start-ups and their need in realising a net-zero Atmanirbhar Bharat. He also spoke on the importance of the Aarogya Setu app that provided awareness during the pandemic through cloud processing. He then went on to brief about the various activities happening at IIT Madras which are of national interest

Vice-Chancellor of SRMIST, Dr C Muthamizhchelvan, welcomed the gathering and said, “These lectures provide a foundation for discussion and in-depth study.”

The event concluded with a vote of thanks presented by SRMIST’s Registrar Dr S Ponnusamy. Present on the occasion were SRMIST’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Medicine and Health Science) Dr Lt Col A Ravikumar, Advisor to Chancellor Dr B Raghavan among others.