ERA FoundationVisvesvaraya Technological University
February – May 2026

VTU MakeX InternshipsBuilding Karnataka's next tech generation.

A first-of-its-kind initiative by Visvesvaraya Technological University, delivered by ERA Foundation at ComedKares Innovation Hubs across 9 centers in Karnataka.

Interns at ERA Foundation innovation hub
388
Interns
9
Locations
66
Capstone Projects
78+
Colleges
About

VTU Mandated Internships — 8th Semester.

Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has taken up a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country — providing a single platform for the compulsory internships of students across all affiliated colleges in Karnataka.

ERA Foundation has been selected by VTU to deliver these internships across its 9 ComedKares Innovation Hubs spread throughout Karnataka.

Under this program, ERA Foundation is proud to have successfully conducted the internship for 388 students in its first cohort.

We are thankful to Visvesvaraya Technological University for its patronage, and to all the member colleges whose students have participated and brought this cohort to life.

The first cohort of VTU MakeX interns
Program

Two tracks. Three phases each.

Track 01

Data Science & AI/ML

Data Science & AI/ML
  1. Phase 1 — Orientation & Design Thinking
    Python fundamentals, empathy mapping, problem identification, research.
  2. Phase 2 — AI/ML & Deep Learning
    EDA, ML algorithms, neural networks, NLP, computer vision, prototyping.
  3. Phase 3 — Showcase & Career Launchpad
    Capstone completion, deployment, portfolio, presentations.
Track 02

Robotics & System Intelligence

Robotics & System Intelligence
  1. Phase 1 — Orientation & Design Thinking
    Problem identification, SRS documentation, project planning.
  2. Phase 2 — Robotics, IoT & Edge AI
    Arduino, Raspberry Pi, sensors, Jetson Nano, edge AI, integration.
  3. Phase 3 — Showcase & Career Launchpad
    Documentation, demos, working intelligent prototypes.
PrepIndia

A career readiness layer beneath every project.

Phase 1
Career Profiling
Career mapping, communication baseline, goal identification.
Phase 2
Skill Development
Critical thinking, presentation skills, AI-assisted learning, resumes.
Phase 3
Placement Readiness
Mock interviews, elevator pitches, interview prep, portfolios.
Mentor guiding students
Mentorship

A mentor at every bench.

Structured guidance turned first-time builders into confident engineers shipping working systems — code, wires, prototypes, teamwork.

Reach

Nine centers. One cohort.

CityAI / MLRoboticsPrepIndia
Bengaluru — JP Nagar553085
Bengaluru — Mysore Road181028
Bengaluru — Yelahanka281442
Mangaluru473279
Kalaburagi381957
Hubballi221032
Mysore141731
Tumkur14721
Belagavi7613
Innovation Hub

Inside the build.

Students at the Innovation HubStudents prototypingRobotics prototypes
Capstones

66 projects. From a problem to a prototype.

AI / ML — 52 Projects
  • AI Smart Traffic Control for Emergency VehiclesMysore Road
  • AI-Driven Medical Imaging AnalysisMultiple Centers
  • Financial Fraud Detection SystemMultiple Centers
  • SmartLOAN — Credit Scoring & Loan PredictionMangaluru
  • LeafGuard AI — Plant Disease DetectionMangaluru
  • CrowdGuard AI — Predictive Crowd SafetyJP Nagar
  • AgriSense AI — Precision Crop HealthJP Nagar
  • AI-Based Solar Panel Defect DetectionJP Nagar
  • SmartHire — AI Resume & ATS OptimizationTumkur
  • Malpractice Detection in Exam Hall (YOLO)Yelahanka
  • Banking Intent ChatbotMultiple Centers
  • Network Intrusion Detection SystemMysore Road
Robotics — 14 Projects
  • AI Powered Agriculture Soil Monitoring RobotKalaburagi
  • Fruit Sorting Chain RobotKalaburagi
  • AI Quadruped Robot DogMangaluru
  • Smart Shopping TrolleyMysore Road & Mangaluru
  • Autonomous Tunnel Explorer BotHubballi
  • Campus Delivery RobotTumkur
  • Modular Biped RobotYelahanka
  • Humanoid RobotJP Nagar
  • Surveillance Bot with Remote ControlJP Nagar
  • Robotic Pick and Place SystemMysore
  • TonyPi Humanoid Robot with AI VisionMysore
  • AI-Powered Agricultural Safety SystemBelagavi
Voices

From the interns.

"This internship transformed my approach to engineering. Building the Autonomous Tunnel Explorer Robot taught me how to bridge mechanical design with system intelligence."
Devaraj Bengalore
Tontadarya College of Engineering, Gadag
"Working on a humanoid robot improved my skills in Python, C++, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, circuit design, and debugging — from concept to working prototype."
Pranav Chhabra
Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering
"Real-world project exposure improved my technical skills, debugging ability, and confidence in building complete systems independently."
Fidah Ruhalath
P.A. College of Engineering, Mangaluru
"Working on a real-time AI-based fruit sorting system helped me understand how industry-level projects are developed."
Faiza Tahreem
KCT Engineering College, Kalaburagi
Faculty & TPO Feedback

From the faculty room.

"The structured curriculum and ERA Foundation's delivery gave our students an industry-grade environment we cannot replicate on campus. The transformation in confidence and technical depth over four months has been remarkable."
Dr. Suresh K. R.
Principal · Bengaluru
"VTU MakeX delivered by ERA Foundation stands out for its mentor-to-student ratio and the rigor of capstone reviews. Our students returned interview-ready."
Prof. Anitha Bhat
Training & Placement Officer · Mangaluru
"The PrepIndia layer by ERA Foundation was the unexpected win — measurable improvement in communication, structured thinking, and resume articulation."
Dr. Mahantesh G.
Dean of Academics · Kalaburagi
"Project-based learning at this scale, with weekly mentorship and end-to-end prototype reviews led by ERA Foundation, is exactly what engineering education in Karnataka needs."
Prof. Ramesh Hegde
TPO & Faculty Coordinator · Hubballi
Outcomes

What interns walked away with.

  • 01Hands-on learning through project-based execution
  • 02Learning-by-doing methodology for technical concepts
  • 03Strong conceptual and fundamental understanding
  • 04Improved communication and employability via PrepIndia
  • 05Enhanced teamwork and collaboration abilities
  • 06Exposure to real-world engineering problem solving
Participating Colleges

78+ institutions across Karnataka.

Bengaluru — 25 Colleges
  • Acharya Institute of Technology
  • AMC Engineering College
  • Atria Institute of Technology
  • C. Byregowda Institute of Technology
  • City Engineering College
  • CMR Institute of Technology
  • Dayananda Sagar Academy of Technology and Management
  • Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering
  • Don Bosco Institute of Technology
  • Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology
  • East West College of Engineering
  • HKBK College of Engineering
  • K. S. School of Engineering and Management (KSSEM)
  • R. V. Institute of Technology and Management
  • Rajarajeshwari College of Engineering
  • Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology
  • RNS Institute of Technology
  • Sai Vidya Institute of Technology
  • Sambhram Institute of Technology
  • SEA College of Engineering and Technology
  • Sir M. Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology
  • SJB Institute of Technology
  • Sri Sairam College of Engineering
  • The Oxford College of Engineering
  • Vemana Institute of Technology
Mangaluru — 8 Colleges
  • Bearys Institute of Technology, Mangalore
  • Canara Engineering College
  • Karavali Institute of Technology, Mangaluru
  • P.A. College of Engineering, Mangaluru
  • Shree Devi Institute of Technology
  • St. Joseph Engineering College, Mangaluru
  • Vivekananda College of Engineering and Technology, Puttur
  • Yenepoya Institute of Technology
Mysuru — 9 Colleges
  • ATME College of Engineering, Mysore
  • Government Engineering College, Chamarajanagara
  • Maharaja Institute of Technology, Mysore
  • Maharaja Institute of Technology, Thandavapura
  • Mysore College of Engineering and Management
  • The National Institute of Engineering, Mysore
  • Vidya Vikas Inst. Engg. & Tech., Mysore
  • Vidya Vikas Institute of Engineering and Technology
  • Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, Mysore
Kalaburagi — 8 Colleges
  • Basavakalyan Engineering College
  • Bhemanna Khandre Institute of Technology
  • Government Engineering College, Bidar
  • KCT Engineering College, Kalaburagi
  • PDA College of Engineering, Kalaburagi
  • SECAB Institute of Engineering and Technology
  • Sharnbasva University
  • Shetty Institute of Technology, Kalaburagi
Hubballi — 5 Colleges
  • Government Engineering College, Huvinahadagali
  • Government Engineering College, Naragund
  • KLE Institute of Technology
  • Rural Engineering College, Hulkoti
  • Tontadarya College of Engineering, Gadag
Belagavi — 5 Colleges
  • Basaveshwar Engineering College, Bagalkot
  • Biluru Gurubasav Mahaswamiji Institute of Technology, Mudhol (BGMIT)
  • Jain College of Engineering and Research, Belagavi
  • Jain College of Engineering, Belagavi
  • Maratha Mandal Engineering College, Belagavi
Tumkur — 3 Colleges
  • Adichunchanagiri Institute of Technology
  • Channabasaveshwara Institute of Technology (CIT)
  • SJC Institute of Technology (SJCIT)

388 interns · 78+ colleges · 66 prototypes.One cohort that proved the model.

ERA Foundation thanks VTU for its continued patronage and every participating college whose students brought this cohort to life.