- 120 teams compete across AI, robotics, cybersecurity and emerging technologies to solve industry-led challenges
Hyderabad: VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology (VNR VJIET) hosted the 27th edition of Convergence 2K26, its National-Level Annual Technical Symposium, bringing together 2500+ student registrations from 25+ colleges across 5 different states of India for 2 days of technology competitions, hackathons, innovation challenges and collaborative problem-solving. The event carried a total prize pool of INR 1.2 lakhs, with INR 60,000 each allocated to the Software and Hardware tracks.
The symposium was inaugurated by Dr. P. Shiva Prasad, Director, Asymmetric Technologies, DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory, Hyderabad, who interacted with students and participants during the inaugural programme. The 2-day hackathon that brought together 120 teams across Software and Hardware tracks, featuring 15 problem statements in each track.
The problem statements reflected the growing role of AI and emerging technologies in addressing practical challenges across sectors. These included Pediatric Respiratory Sound Analysis, which explored AI-based analysis of respiratory sounds to support faster pediatric triage; an Expiry Risk & Redistribution Agent, designed to predict inventory at risk of expiry and recommend redistribution strategies to minimise waste; a Multilingual Meteorological Intelligence and Advisory Agent, aimed at delivering localised weather advisories and extreme-weather alerts in regional Indian languages; and Payment Screenshot Fraud Detection, which challenged participants to develop an explainable AI system capable of identifying potentially manipulated or reconstructed payment screenshots.
In the Hardware Track, Order of Linus from the Institute of Aeronautical Engineering (IARE), comprising Ryan, Devansh and Chinmayee, secured the first prize. Ashtra from VNR, with Manaj, Namitha, Krishna, Chetan G, Raghu and Ram, secured the second prize, while Robot: INO from VFSTR, comprising Athray and Shivangi, secured the third prize.
The Hardware Track also recognised special categories. Circuit Breaker from VNR, comprising Swapnil, Sathwik and Hrithika, received the Best Social Impact award. Medicer, represented by A. Vignul from VNR, received the Best Innovation award, while Code-Titans from MGIT, comprising Sai Deva, Harsha, Sreedinath, Vajrang and Sushanth, received the Best Prototype award.
The Software Track saw four winning teams across different problem domains. VAGAbonds from VNR VJIET, led by Akshaya Chundi, won in the Fintech domain for PS105. Athena’s Crew from VNR VJIET, led by Shamita Beesetti, emerged as a winner in Healthcare for PS405. Hawkins Crew, with members from VNR VJIET and KMIT and led by Ragi Vaishali, won in Procurement & Logistics for PS205. ZeroOne from the Institute of Aeronautical Engineering (IARE), Hyderabad, led by Kushal Saha, emerged as a winner in Climate, Energy and Green Technologies. Each winning team received INR 10,000.
Dr. B. Chennakesava Rao, Principal, VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology, said, “Convergence has always been envisioned as a platform where students can move beyond classroom learning and apply their knowledge to challenges that have real-world relevance. Through Convergence 2K26, we brought together students from different institutions and regions and created an environment where ideas could be tested, challenged and developed. The participation and enthusiasm of students, mentors and experts demonstrated the importance of creating such platforms for young innovators to collaborate, learn and explore emerging technologies.”
Beyond the hackathon, Convergence 2K26 featured a diverse range of competitions and technical challenges spanning Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Robotics, Coding, Cyber Security, Data and Analytics, Hardware and Embedded Systems, Automotive and Mobility, Project Contests and other technology domains. The symposium provided students with opportunities to experiment with emerging technologies and translate their technical knowledge into solutions for practical challenges.