Tech TANK is a maiden attempt to present the 10 innovative ideas from student-led and faculty-guided research across 12 NIFT campuses to the industry stalwarts. In sync with the honourable prime minister's "Make in India" vision NIFT alumni are also motivated to become tech-entrepreneurs alongside problem solvers. Now let's witness how the young techno-managers visualize the future of fashion with innovative products that blend function with aesthetics and how emerging technologies like AI, ML, IoT, and robotics will open new chapters in smart manufacturing.
Details of the 10 pitches are listed below.
1. Needle Nest- Next-Generation Sewing Line Strategies
by Ridhi Sharma & Shashank Sadh | NIFT Kangra, BFT
Project Summary: Needle Nest is an intelligent needle handling solution integrating real-time tracking, ultrasonic sensors, and data analytics to enhance efficiency, quality, and safety in sewing operations. It minimizes waste, prevents false data, and streamlines workflows with a modern UI/UX, ensuring improved productivity, reduced downtime, and a more sustainable manufacturing process.
2. Smart Warehouse Management: A Step Towards the Future
by Aditi Mohanty | NIFT Kolkata, BFT
Project Summary: The project focuses on digitization and automation to enhance fabric roll tracking and unloading efficiency. Digitization enables real-time tracking through a custom-built app and dashboard, improving inventory management. Automation streamlines the unloading process by automatically segregating fabric rolls based on article numbers, reducing manpower and lead time. A prototype using Arduino and a color sensor demonstrated color-based segregation, which was later scaled for factory implementation. Now, three articles are segregated simultaneously during unloading, making processes run in parallel and eliminating the need for manual sorting.
3. Process WIP Management via E-Kanban System
by Divakar Balakrishnan | NIFT Bengaluru, MFT
Project Summary: This project optimizes manufacturing workflow using Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to identify Value-Added (VA) and Non-Value-Added (NVA) activities, reducing inefficiencies. A buffer stock system ensures optimal inventory, preventing bottlenecks. The E-Kanban system enhances transparency, automates replenishment, and streamlines workflow. Built with Microsoft PowerApps, the EKanban application features a dashboard for real-time WIP tracking, improving decision-making and visibility, and driving continuous process improvement.
4. Stitchless Adaptive Bras for Physically Challenged
by Vaishnavi Singh | NIFT Delhi, MFT
Project Summary: Innovative stitchless adaptive bras address comfort, accessibility, and support for physically challenged women by using stitchless technology, ergonomic closures, and novel designs, thus eliminating discomfort from traditional bras. With high market demand, rapid scalability, and advanced technology, this is a potentially profitable business venture in the adaptive clothing industry.
5. Shaping the garment industry through Digital Line Balancing
by Navya Bhatia & Rohit Raj | NIFT Bengaluru, BFT
Project Summary: The garment industry faces significant challenges due to manual line balancing, overdependence on supervisors, and production bottlenecks. The digital line-balancing solution that optimizes workforce allocation, improves productivity and reduces deviations. The model leverages data-driven decision-making for real-time adjustments. Live-run results indicate a substantial improvement in balance efficiency, reducing reliance on supervisors. Future advancements include AI integration, machine status tracking, and global deployment.
6. Digiboard - Web application digital dashboard designed to enhance management control
by Pragati Jaiswal | NIFT Gandhinagar, BFT
Project Summary: The garment export industry suffers from frequent shipment delays. Due to lack of latest-time data visibility into their production operations—whether it’s tracking production, monitoring inventory, or ensuring quality control. We propose a web application with an interactive digital dashboard, acting as an ERP Skin to visualize data without modifying existing systems. A digiboard application offering instant production insights, order tracking, and quality monitoring. This solution empowers garment businesses with better visibility, faster decisions making.
7. Predictive Analysis: Integrating Brand Identity and Trend Forecast
by Shrashwat Shailesh | NIFT Bengaluru, BFT
Project Summary: An AI-driven fashion forecasting platform that predicts emerging trends while preserving brand identity, which has been a challenge for the longest time. By integrating machine learning, computer vision, and data analysis, it eliminates guesswork, optimizes inventory, and ensures trend adoption without aesthetic compromise—helping brands stay ahead while maintaining their unique identity.
8. ACME- Automation of Material Transport in the Apparel Industry
by Charuvi Rishikesh Ranjan & Shreyash Ojha | NIFT Delhi, BFT
Project Summary: ACME (Automated Cut Material Express) is a robot-based system for bringing cut parts from the storage area to input table of sewing lines. The inspiration was AGVs deployed in warehouses to transport goods and we have developed a never done before, cost effective solution using RFID Navigation and line following. This product is a part of an envisioned ecosystem where material handling in the industry is automated.
9. Automated Garment Measurement using Computer Vision
by Aditi Choubey & Kunal Chaurasia | NIFT Mumbai, BFT
Project Summary: Our solution is an automated garment measurement system that helps manufacturers ensure their clothing meets the right size standards. It detects key points with the help of AI to derive accurate measurements, compares them with size charts, and provides pass/fail results. The system also saves measurement data for record-keeping and analysis, making quality inspections faster and more reliable.
10. i-flexBot: An economical CNC arm for pattern sewing and marking
by Ankit SP & Anshika Sathpathy | NIFT Bhubaneswar, BFT
Project Summary: This project aims to develop a cost-effective CNC arm for automating pattern sewing and marking operations in the apparel industry. By integrating a robotic X and Y axis CNC arm with industrial single needle lockstitch sewing machines, it will enhance precision, reduce errors, and eliminate manual labor. The solution targets affordability, making advanced automation accessible to small and medium manufacturers. Key benefits include reduced production costs, improved efficiency, and sustainability by minimizing pre-consumer waste. The project aligns with Industry 4.0 principles, fostering innovation in garment manufacturing. Ultimately, it will enhance competitiveness in the global market.