Ideaz

Introducing: Termi-Guard, The Proactive Home Protection System

Termite infestations are one of the most insidious threats a homeowner can face. These "silent destroyers" can cause thousands of Rupees in hidden structural damage before any visible signs appear, leaving homeowners vulnerable and anxious. Termi-Guard is a revolutionary smart home system designed to change that, providing a non-invasive, continuous defence against this persistent threat.

Problem

Termite infestations are a major concern for homeowners, causing thousands in structural damage annually. The primary problem is that they are "silent destroyers," with colonies often going undetected for years while they compromise the very integrity of a home. This lack of continuous monitoring and early detection leaves homeowners in a state of constant, low-level anxiety about their most valuable asset.

Gaps in Current Solutions

Reactive and Unreliable: Traditional visual inspections are reactive and can easily miss hidden infestations. They provide a single snapshot in time, not continuous monitoring.

Invasive Methods: Professional termite treatments often require drilling into walls or foundations, which is costly, destructive, and can be disruptive to the household.

 Inconsistent Results: The effectiveness of chemical treatments can vary, and they don't guarantee that a new colony won't establish itself in another part of the property.

 No Proactive Defence: Current solutions focus on treatment after a problem is found, rather this provide an early warning system to prevent it.

 Proposed Solution

My idea is Termi-Guard, a Smart Termite Detection System for homes. This system would use a sophisticated network of different sensors to provide non-invasive, continuous monitoring for termite activity. Unlike traditional inspections, it is designed to detect the subtle, hidden signs of an infestation at its earliest stages, long before it becomes a major problem. By creating a proactive shield around your home, Termi-Guard offers a new model of home protection that prioritizes prevention over costly reaction. The system is designed for easy installation and is fully integrated with a mobile app for real-time alerts and comprehensive monitoring.

 Why This Problem Matters to Me

I've seen firsthand the frustration and helplessness that homeowners feel when they discover a termite infestation. The thought that an unseen enemy has been eating away at your walls and floors for years is incredibly unsettling. It's not just a financial burden; it's a violation of the sense of security that a home is supposed to provide. I believe that by using modern technology to empower homeowners with continuous knowledge and proactive alerts, we can eliminate this silent threat and restore that peace of mind.

 Technical Details

Acoustic Sensors: These are highly sensitive microphones strategically placed in walls and wooden structures. They are calibrated to listen for the faint, specific sounds of termite activity, such as the quiet clicking of their jaws or the movement within a colony.

 Thermal Sensors: Utilizing infrared technology, these sensors detect the subtle heat signatures produced by termite colonies. As termites are constantly active, their metabolic processes generate a small amount of heat.

 Moisture Meters: Placed in high-risk areas like basements and crawl spaces to detect any unusual moisture content, which is a key indicator of termite presence.

 Microwave Sensors: These sensors use low-energy microwave radar to detect movement behind walls and other solid surfaces. This technology provides a highly accurate way to confirm an infestation's location and size without drilling or causing damage.

 Central Hub & Mobile App: A central hub collects and analyzes data from all sensors in real time. If a combination of data points indicates a high probability of termites, the hub immediately sends a real-time alert to the user's mobile app. The app features a visual "risk map" of the home.

Predictive AI: The system's back-end uses machine learning algorithms to analyse historical data and identify patterns. Over time, it can predict which areas of a home are most vulnerable to future infestations.

 Wireless Installation & Power: The sensors are small, wireless, and battery-powered, allowing for easy and non-invasive installation.

Market Analysis

The pest control market, particularly in the residential sector, is a multi-billion-dollar industry. The market for termite control alone is a significant segment, driven by the high cost of damage and the persistent nature of the threat. Homeowners are increasingly willing to invest in smart home technologies that provide security and peace of mind. Our target market includes not only homeowners but also home builders, real estate firms, and insurance providers who have a vested interest in the long-term integrity of a property.

Unaddressed Market Opportunities

Proactive vs. Reactive Model: No mainstream solution offers a continuous, proactive monitoring system that actively helps prevent damage.

 Data-Driven Insights: Termi-Guard provides homeowners and professionals with actionable data, a service that traditional inspections cannot offer.

 Real Estate Integration: The system can create a new service category for home sellers and buyers, allowing for a certified "termite-free" status that can increase a property's market value and speed up transactions.

 Insurance Partnerships: The data from the system can be used by insurance companies to offer reduced premiums for homes with a proven, preventative solution, creating a new product category.

 Comprehensive Beneficiary Analysis

1. Homeowners:

 Financial Savings: Avoids thousands of dollars in potential repair costs by detecting issues early.

 Peace of Mind: Offers continuous, automated monitoring that provides reassurance.

 Property Value: Can increase the market value of a home by demonstrating a proactive approach to maintenance.

2. Pest Control Professionals:

 Increased Efficiency: Reduces the time and effort of inspections by pinpointing problem areas.

 New Revenue Stream: Allows professionals to offer a subscription-based monitoring service, shifting from a one-time treatment model to a long-term partnership.

3. Real Estate Agents & Home Inspectors:

 Marketing Advantage: Provides a valuable selling point in a competitive market.

 Reduced Liability: Offers documented proof of a home's condition, reducing potential legal risks from hidden damage.

4. Insurance Providers:

Reduced Claims: Minimizes the number and size of costly payouts for termite damage.

Premium Incentives: Can offer discounts as an incentive for homeowners to adopt preventative measures.

Revenue Streams

Hardware Sales: Selling the initial Termi-Guard sensor kits to homeowners and builders.

Subscription Service: A monthly or annual fee for continuous monitoring, real-time alerts, and data analytics via the mobile app. This will be the primary source of recurring revenue.

Professional Service Referral Fee: Charging a referral fee to licensed pest control companies for leads on detected infestations.

Data Licensing: Selling anonymized data on termite activity patterns to researchers or urban planners to help in wider-scale pest management strategies.

Conclusion

Termi-Guard represents a paradigm shift in home protection. By transforming the fight against termites from a reactive battle into a proactive, data-driven defense, we can eliminate a significant source of anxiety and financial strain for homeowners. This technology offers a smarter, more efficient way to protect a home's structural integrity, proving that the best solution to a hidden problem is not to react to it, but to prevent it from ever happening in the first place.

Introducing: Termi-Guard, The Proactive Home Protection System

Termite infestations are one of the most insidious threats a homeowner can face. These "silent destroyers" can cause thousands of Rupees in hidden structural damage before any visible signs appear, leaving homeowners vulnerable and anxious. Termi-Guard is a revolutionary smart home system designed to change that, providing a non-invasive, continuous defence against this persistent threat.

Problem

Termite infestations are a major concern for homeowners, causing thousands in structural damage annually. The primary problem is that they are "silent destroyers," with colonies often going undetected for years while they compromise the very integrity of a home. This lack of continuous monitoring and early detection leaves homeowners in a state of constant, low-level anxiety about their most valuable asset.

Gaps in Current Solutions

Reactive and Unreliable: Traditional visual inspections are reactive and can easily miss hidden infestations. They provide a single snapshot in time, not continuous monitoring.

Invasive Methods: Professional termite treatments often require drilling into walls or foundations, which is costly, destructive, and can be disruptive to the household.

Inconsistent Results: The effectiveness of chemical treatments can vary, and they don't guarantee that a new colony won't establish itself in another part of the property.

No Proactive Defence: Current solutions focus on treatment after a problem is found, rather this provide an early warning system to prevent it.

Proposed Solution

My idea is Termi-Guard, a Smart Termite Detection System for homes. This system would use a sophisticated network of different sensors to provide non-invasive, continuous monitoring for termite activity. Unlike traditional inspections, it is designed to detect the subtle, hidden signs of an infestation at its earliest stages, long before it becomes a major problem. By creating a proactive shield around your home, Termi-Guard offers a new model of home protection that prioritizes prevention over costly reaction. The system is designed for easy installation and is fully integrated with a mobile app for real-time alerts and comprehensive monitoring.

Why This Problem Matters to Me

I've seen firsthand the frustration and helplessness that homeowners feel when they discover a termite infestation. The thought that an unseen enemy has been eating away at your walls and floors for years is incredibly unsettling. It's not just a financial burden; it's a violation of the sense of security that a home is supposed to provide. I believe that by using modern technology to empower homeowners with continuous knowledge and proactive alerts, we can eliminate this silent threat and restore that peace of mind.

Technical Details

Acoustic Sensors: These are highly sensitive microphones strategically placed in walls and wooden structures. They are calibrated to listen for the faint, specific sounds of termite activity, such as the quiet clicking of their jaws or the movement within a colony.

Thermal Sensors: Utilizing infrared technology, these sensors detect the subtle heat signatures produced by termite colonies. As termites are constantly active, their metabolic processes generate a small amount of heat.

Moisture Meters: Placed in high-risk areas like basements and crawl spaces to detect any unusual moisture content, which is a key indicator of termite presence.

Microwave Sensors: These sensors use low-energy microwave radar to detect movement behind walls and other solid surfaces. This technology provides a highly accurate way to confirm an infestation's location and size without drilling or causing damage.

Central Hub & Mobile App: A central hub collects and analyzes data from all sensors in real time. If a combination of data points indicates a high probability of termites, the hub immediately sends a real-time alert to the user's mobile app. The app features a visual "risk map" of the home.

Predictive AI: The system's back-end uses machine learning algorithms to analyse historical data and identify patterns. Over time, it can predict which areas of a home are most vulnerable to future infestations.

Wireless Installation & Power: The sensors are small, wireless, and battery-powered, allowing for easy and non-invasive installation.

Market Analysis

The pest control market, particularly in the residential sector, is a multi-billion-dollar industry. The market for termite control alone is a significant segment, driven by the high cost of damage and the persistent nature of the threat. Homeowners are increasingly willing to invest in smart home technologies that provide security and peace of mind. Our target market includes not only homeowners but also home builders, real estate firms, and insurance providers who have a vested interest in the long-term integrity of a property.

Unaddressed Market Opportunities

Proactive vs. Reactive Model: No mainstream solution offers a continuous, proactive monitoring system that actively helps prevent damage.

Data-Driven Insights: Termi-Guard provides homeowners and professionals with actionable data, a service that traditional inspections cannot offer.

Real Estate Integration: The system can create a new service category for home sellers and buyers, allowing for a certified "termite-free" status that can increase a property's market value and speed up transactions.

Insurance Partnerships: The data from the system can be used by insurance companies to offer reduced premiums for homes with a proven, preventative solution, creating a new product category.

Comprehensive Beneficiary Analysis

1. Homeowners:

Financial Savings: Avoids thousands of dollars in potential repair costs by detecting issues early.

Peace of Mind: Offers continuous, automated monitoring that provides reassurance.

Property Value: Can increase the market value of a home by demonstrating a proactive approach to maintenance.

2. Pest Control Professionals:

Increased Efficiency: Reduces the time and effort of inspections by pinpointing problem areas.

New Revenue Stream: Allows professionals to offer a subscription-based monitoring service, shifting from a one-time treatment model to a long-term partnership.

3. Real Estate Agents & Home Inspectors:

Marketing Advantage: Provides a valuable selling point in a competitive market.

Reduced Liability: Offers documented proof of a home's condition, reducing potential legal risks from hidden damage.

4. Insurance Providers:

Reduced Claims: Minimizes the number and size of costly payouts for termite damage.

Premium Incentives: Can offer discounts as an incentive for homeowners to adopt preventative measures.

Revenue Streams

Hardware Sales: Selling the initial Termi-Guard sensor kits to homeowners and builders.

Subscription Service: A monthly or annual fee for continuous monitoring, real-time alerts, and data analytics via the mobile app. This will be the primary source of recurring revenue.

Professional Service Referral Fee: Charging a referral fee to licensed pest control companies for leads on detected infestations.

Data Licensing: Selling anonymized data on termite activity patterns to researchers or urban planners to help in wider-scale pest management strategies.

Conclusion

Termi-Guard represents a paradigm shift in home protection. By transforming the fight against termites from a reactive battle into a proactive, data-driven defense, we can eliminate a significant source of anxiety and financial strain for homeowners. This technology offers a smarter, more efficient way to protect a home's structural integrity, proving that the best solution to a hidden problem is not to react to it, but to prevent it from ever happening in the first place.

With the rapid growth of urban populations, inefficient waste management has become a pressing problem. Overflowing trash bins create unhygienic conditions, attract pests, cause pollution, and degrade the overall quality of life in cities. Current waste collection systems often operate on fixed routes and schedules, which leads to unnecessary fuel consumption and missed pickups.

My idea is to create a Smart Waste Management System using IoT sensors installed in public waste bins that continuously monitor the fill levels. These sensors send data to a cloud-based platform accessed by municipal authorities. Using this real-time data, AI-powered software optimizes waste collection routes dynamically, sending trucks only to bins that need to be emptied. Additionally, a mobile app can alert residents about collection timings and promote effective waste segregation practices to encourage recycling.

This solution benefits city administrations by reducing operational costs, fuel consumption, and environmental impact. Citizens gain from cleaner streets and a healthier urban environment. This problem is important to me because sustainable urban management is critical as cities grow quickly, and technology can play a vital role in improving everyday life.

Technically, this project involves IoT hardware, cloud computing, and AI-driven route optimization algorithms. The system is scalable and can be adapted to various urban settings to help cities move towards smarter, cleaner future living.

In many Indian households, people still turn off water motors manually only after the tank starts to overflow. This leads to thousands of liters of wasted water and higher electricity bills each year. Most automatic controllers available today either shut off the motor or send a notification only after the tank is already full. Almost none check water quality in real time or make conservation fun for families.

Smart WaterGuard changes that. It’s an IoT-based system that predicts when the tank will be full and sends a notification one minute in advance. This gives users control before an overflow occurs. With a single tap in the app, they can turn off the motor remotely or let the system do it automatically. At the same time, Smart WaterGuard continuously monitors pH and TDS levels of the stored water, showing easy-to-read readings in the app to ensure health and safety.

This solution directly benefits households, landlords, and housing societies by reducing water and electricity waste, improving awareness of water quality, and promoting good habits. Families can even track their savings through streaks, leaderboards, and badges, turning conservation into a fun challenge, especially for kids.

I’ve seen firsthand how much water is wasted daily and how little awareness there is about water quality. Smart WaterGuard is my way of providing an affordable, easy-to-install solution that combines technology, health, and behavior change to make smart water management accessible to millions of homes.

Feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions!

One of the biggest challenges faced by university students is daily commuting inside and outside campus. Many students either walk long distances in the heat, wait for irregular shuttles, or rely on expensive ride-hailing services. Current campus transport systems are not optimized, leading to wasted time, missed classes, and unnecessary carbon emissions.

My idea is to create a Smart Campus Shuttle System that uses AI-powered scheduling and electric minibuses to provide an efficient, sustainable, and affordable mode of transport. Students will book rides through a mobile app, which uses real-time data and AI to group nearby requests and suggest the most optimal shuttle routes. This ensures minimal waiting time, lower costs, and reduced congestion.

Unlike traditional fixed-route buses, the smart shuttle adapts dynamically to student needs. It reduces dependency on private vehicles, cutting down traffic and pollution on and around campus. The electric vehicles make the system eco-friendly and future-ready.

The primary beneficiaries are students, faculty, and staff who save time, money, and energy. The university also benefits by reducing its carbon footprint and showcasing innovation on campus. In the long run, this system can be scaled to corporate campuses, IT parks, and residential townships.

This problem matters to me because I personally face issues with unpredictable campus transport, which affects punctuality and productivity. With this solution, I aim to make mobility on campus seamless, sustainable, and student-friendly.

• Problem: People run out of basics (soap, shampoo, detergent, cooking oil, etc.) and rush to buy new plastic bottles every time → waste of money, plastic, and effort.

• Solution: A network of smart refill stations placed in apartments, campuses, and local stores.

  • Customers bring their own reusable containers.

  • Scan QR code → choose product & quantity.

  • Pay digitally, refill instantly.

• Tech Angle: IoT-enabled dispenser tracks usage, prevents spillage, and sends alerts when stock runs low.

Market Gaps:

• Current refill options are rare, limited to niche eco-stores.

• No tech-driven, convenient system for students, hostels, and busy professionals.

• Most sustainability solutions focus only on recycling, not on reducing single-use plastics at source.

Who Benefits:

• Students & working professionals: Save time + money on small, frequent purchases.

• Retailers: Cut packaging costs and attract eco-conscious customers.

• Community & Environment: Huge reduction in plastic waste.

Why It Matters to Me:

• I’ve seen my hostel dump dozens of shampoo/detergent bottles every week.

• Small changes at campus/community level can scale massively if made convenient.

• It connects with my interest in tech + sustainability → solving a real problem I live with daily.

EcoCharge — Powering mobility, cutting carbon.

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more common among students and staff, campuses face a growing challenge: inadequate charging infrastructure. Existing setups often have long queues, inefficient energy use, and no integration with renewable energy sources. This discourages EV adoption, increases dependence on fossil-fuel vehicles, and creates avoidable downtime for students.

Current solutions and why they don’t work

• Basic plug-in stations: First-come, first-served; no smart queueing or load balancing.

• Paid public chargers: Expensive and far from campus, making them impractical for daily use.

• Standalone solar charging pilots: Not integrated with demand management or campus energy grids.

These gaps make EV charging unreliable and unsustainable, reducing the incentives for greener mobility.

Proposed solution and why it works better

EcoCharge is a smart EV charging network designed specifically for campuses. It manages demand through real-time scheduling, integrates with rooftop solar or renewable energy inputs, and uses an app to optimize charging slots. Unlike conventional charging, EcoCharge ensures fair access, maximizes green energy usage, and provides transparent billing.

Who it benefits

• Students & staff with EVs: reliable, scheduled, low-cost charging.

• Campus sustainability teams: measurable carbon reduction data and energy optimization.

• Administration: reduced grid dependency and smoother energy usage.

• Community: cleaner air, lower emissions around campus.

Why this matters to me

As EV adoption grows, I’ve seen peers struggle with finding working chargers or waiting hours for a free slot. Solving this directly encourages sustainable transport on campus while saving time and reducing emissions.

Solution: what EcoCharge does?

EcoCharge combines IoT-enabled chargers with a campus energy app:

1. Smart charging stations: equipped with load sensors and programmable controllers.

2. App interface: lets users book slots, view availability, and get real-time updates.

3. Energy integration: prioritizes renewable energy usage, shifts charging to off-peak hours.

4. Admin dashboard: analytics on usage, carbon savings, and predictive maintenance.

Technical details (simple & deployable)

• Hardware: IoT-enabled EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment) with RFID/QR authentication.

• Connectivity: chargers linked to a central campus server over Wi‑Fi or LTE.

• Backend: cloud-based scheduler with load-balancing algorithms.

• App: React Native app for users + web dashboard for admins.

• Energy layer: smart meters + solar inverters feeding into the system.

Minimum Viable Product

• Phase 1: Install 3–4 smart chargers at high-demand hostels/parking areas. Launch with slot booking + basic load balancing.

• Phase 2: Measure average wait times, renewable share of energy use, and charger utilization rates.

• Phase 3: Expand to all major parking lots with 20+ chargers, integrate solar panels, and scale to dynamic energy pricing.

Air pollution in cities remains a major challenge due to vehicle emissions, construction dust, and industrial activity. Current solutions—like masks or indoor purifiers—protect individuals but fail to address pollution at a community scale. My proposal is to design IoT & AI-integrated Smart Air-Purification Poles that combine air filtration, data analytics, and smart-city integration.
Each pole would run on solar panels with Li-ion battery storage for 24/7 uptime. The purification unit would include:
Cyclone separator + pre-filter for coarse dust,
HEPA H14 filter for PM2.5/PM10,
Activated carbon layer for SO₂, NOx, and VOCs,
Electrostatic precipitator for fine aerosols.
Pollution data is captured using sensors like SDS011 (PM2.5/PM10), MQ-135 (gases), CCS811 (VOC/CO₂), and DHT22 (temperature/humidity for calibration). These feed into a Raspberry Pi / ESP32-based microcontroller that preprocesses data before pushing it via LoRaWAN or 5G to a central cloud server (AWS IoT Core / Azure IoT Hub).
A real-time dashboard displays pollution heatmaps, while an AI model (LSTM or Prophet) predicts pollution spikes based on historical data + weather APIs. Citizens access this through a mobile/web app, which can issue alerts (e.g., “High PM2.5 tomorrow morning”).
Additional modules can be added: edge computing for local decision-making, public Wi-Fi hotspot, or CCTV integration.
Beneficiaries include residents (especially vulnerable groups), local authorities (better planning), and health agencies (data-driven policies). Unlike existing fragmented solutions, this system offers scalable, self-sustaining, and data-driven pollution control at the community level.
This matters to me because I’ve seen how poor air quality disrupts lives. By fusing IoT hardware, AI forecasting, and clean-tech engineering, we can build cities where clean air isn’t a luxury, but a standard.

Smart Water Leakage Detection System for Homes

Problem:
Every year, millions of liters of water are wasted due to unnoticed leakages in household and commercial pipelines. Many leaks remain hidden until visible damage occurs, leading not only to water wastage but also to costly repairs and property damage. In water-scarce regions, such losses worsen the crisis and it is very difficult to maintain the house as the walls will slowly get wet all the time like the strengthens of the house will reduce gradually and there will always be a different kind of smell which disturbs us

Solution:
My idea is to develop an IoT-based Smart Water Leakage Detection System that uses small wireless sensors installed along water pipelines and near common leakage points. These sensors detect abnormal water flow or moisture levels and instantly notify the homeowner through a mobile app. In case of a major leak, the system can automatically shut off the water supply to prevent flooding and minimize damage. Over time, this can be integrated with smart home systems like our smart watches and we can track the water flow daily irrespective of time and if at all the sensors are damaged will get replaced by the next minute as they are many sensors through out the pipe that won't be a problem and there will be a maintenance test for every 3 months so that there won't be any issue and if everything works well even after 3 months the maintenance itself blocks the water and checks whether the sensors are working or is there any issue it prevents in a way where people can't find the difference but there is always a big difference when you keep your house in sale . the inspection will tell you the proper use of it when they check the quality of the house and it helps you in smooth moment of water in all the taps and tanks so that there is no chance of waste which will stop your water flow

1. In the case of a major leakage, the system will be equipped with an automatic shut-off valve to stop the water supply instantly and prevent large-scale flooding or property            damage. The app can also provide a dashboard showing daily water consumption trends.

2. Beyond homes, the system can be scaled to apartment complexes, offices, and industries where even minor leaks lead to massive financial and environmental losses. In the        long term, the solution can be linked with municipal water supply networks for smarter city-wide monitoring

3. The collected data will be sent to a mobile app through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The app will provide a real-time dashboard showing water usage, pressure patterns and leakage          alerts. Users will receive instant notifications whenever unusual flow or moisture is detected. For example, if a pipe bursts while the family is away, the app will immediately          alert them and suggest corrective action.

Who Benefits:

1. Homeowners & tenants: Save money and avoid property damage.

2. Landlords & property managers: Reduce maintenance costs.

3. Society & environment: Conserve water in water-scarce regions.

4. Municipalities & governments: Reduce strain on water supply networks, detect leaks in public
pipelines, and improve resource efficiency.

5. Insurance providers: Minimize claims from water-related damage and encourage preventive
technology adoption through discounts.

6. Plumbers & service providers: Get early notifications of issues, allowing for planned, efficient
repairs instead of emergency breakdowns.

7. Environment & society: Conserve millions of liters of water annually, reduce energy wasted in
water treatment and pumping, and support long-term sustainability.

Information about sensors:

      1. Flow Sensors (Electromagnetic): Measure real-time water flow inside pipes and 
          Abnormal flow patterns can indicate small leaks or pipe bursts.

      2. Pressure Sensors: Detect sudden drops in water pressure and a strong indicator of leakage.

      3. Moisture Sensors (Resistive): Placed under sinks, near bathrooms or around
          pipelines to detect the presence of water in unwanted areas.

Why it Matters:

Water is one of the most critical resources for life, yet it is also one of the most wasted. Even small, unnoticed leaks in homes and buildings can add up to thousands of liters of clean water lost every year. At a time when many regions around the world face severe water shortages, every drop counts.

This problem matters because it is both preventable and impactful. A single leaking pipe not only increases household water bills but also contributes to water scarcity that affects entire communities. On a larger scale untreated leaks increase the burden on municipal water systems, energy usage in pumping and treatment and even carbon emissions. By preventing wastage at the source this solution directly supports sustainability goals SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

MSMEs (Micro Small Medium Enterprises) contribute to around 30% of India's GDP. They form the backbone and the future for turning India into an Industry-driven economy from Service-driven economy. Many of them operate with outdated and inefficient machinery, reducing productivity and losing the edge to foreign manufacturers.

The idea is to create a dedicated marketplace for MSMEs to buy, sell and upgrade machinery. On the platform, verified vendors and providers could list their solutions while the MSMEs could post specific upgrades/ requirements for their needs with financing options. The website can also compare and suggest equipment for their needs. Platform will provide data on machines performance, costs ROI of upgrades with industry benchmarks and financial insights.

There are platforms like IndiaMart and Tradeindia but mainly act as broad b2b directories, not focusing specifically on machinery or provide trusted upgrade ways. Also, financing is one of the major pain point for msmes which these platforms rarely integrated. Additionally, there is very little personalized guidance or proper information available,that leaves business owners confused about upgrades/ needs.

This idea benifits MSMEs, who gain access to better equipment/machinery increasing productivity and creating jobs. Stronger MSMEs also create a stable environment for local businesses to thrive(direct and indirect).

This problem matters to me because msmes aren't just businesses but are the key players for the country's stability and growth. I have seen how lack of awareness and financial support can hold back small businesses.

The platform can use Ai to recommend upgrades for needs and budget for the business. Over time, IoT-based analytics could enhance efficiency and accuracy.

• odor levels (ammonia-gas levels/methane-gas levels) to detect foul smell,
• Humidity sensors to check wet floors or dirty (uncleaned)  floors,
• usage count sensors to monitor the number of times washroom is used and give out alerts when used heavily.

This information would be calculated and presented as Cleanliness Score on a display touchscreen outside the restroom

• green = clean,
• yellow = moderate,
• red = needs cleaning)

At the same time, cleaning staff would receive real-time alerts on an app, enabling them to clean when needed rather than adhering to a strict timetable.

• To the users: Guarantees of hygiene, less risk of infection, increased trust in using the common facilities
• In women and children : protection againts UTI and other health complications.
• To cleaning staff and authorities: Time saving, cost savings and better accountability.
• To the society: improved public health and higher hygiene standards.

Where's My Bin? Waste Disposal made Easier

Problem Statement and Personal Connect:
From my personal experience, I have always had trouble finding dustbins whenever I had the need to throw away any type of trash at any place outside of my own house. Because of this, I have always needed to keep a hold of the trash until I could find a trashcan at any nearby place, but given the state of waste management in the country, the chances to find one would always be very low, and I would usually end up littering on the streets with no other options left. This is a very common problem, as other than in a few public places like fast-food centers, resturants, malls, etc., it is rather rare to find a bin within your immediate surroundings. In my opionion, this is the actual overarching problem with the majority of cities in our country - the public being unable to find the require mode of waste disposal - that leads to an overall poor living experience. 

Gaps in the Current Market:
1. Municipal bins exist but are hard to locate, and even if found, highly likely that overfilling with trash.
2. Smart City projects use GPS trucks to optimize trash collection, but do not consider the citizen’s side of the problem.
3. Private IoT bins are costly and limited to airports or malls.

My Solution:
The idea I have come up with is a mobile application combined with Internet of Things (IoT) enabled trashcans. The app will display the nearest available dustbins (integrated with your favourite map app of choice, such as Google Maps or Apple Maps) in real time, along with their status (empty, half-full, or full). Sensors placed inside the bins will track waste levels and send the data to the app accessed by the end-user.

Who all Benefit:
1. City residents and commuters, as they are easily able to find the appropraite spots for waste disposal.
2. Municipal corporations, as they gain access to real-time data about which bins need clearing, making waste collection more efficient.
3. Public spaces (campuses, malls, etc.), as they are able to maintain a hygenic environment, boosting reputation.

Why It Matters:
A very practical and everyday problem is the inability to find a conventient way to dispose waste when in a public place. Where's my Bin offers a smart solution to cleaner streets. healthier communities and a better image for cities. Integrating technology with everyday needs enables for responsible waste disposal and supports the vision of cleaner, smarter cities in India.

Technical Details:
Where’s My Bin works by placing IoT sensors inside dustbins. These sensors can detect how full the bin is and send the information to a databaste. The same data is displayed on a mobile app, which helps citizens find the nearest available bin and tells municipal staff which bins need emptying. The app also has GPS integration so bins are visible on a map.

One of the biggest problems in cities today is inefficient waste management. Overflowing garbage bins, uncollected trash, and littered streets are common scenes that affect not just cleanliness but also public health and the environment. Despite multiple efforts from municipalities, the systems in place often fail to handle waste efficiently. I thought—what if there was a way to use technology to manage waste more intelligently, ensuring that bins are cleaned before they overflow and resources are used optimally? That’s how the idea of “Smart Waste Management System” came to me.

The idea is to equip waste bins with sensors that measure how full they are in real time. These sensors would send data to a central system that maps all bins in the city. Garbage collection trucks would then be directed only to the bins that need emptying, avoiding unnecessary trips and reducing fuel consumption. The system could also predict peak waste times in different areas, helping the authorities deploy staff more efficiently.

The gap in current solutions is that most cities rely on fixed schedules, which lead to inefficiencies. Bins are emptied when they are not full, wasting time and resources, while some areas remain unclean because bins overflow before the next scheduled collection.

The beneficiaries are many:

• Residents, because streets will be cleaner and healthier.

• Municipalities, which can save money and reduce pollution by optimizing routes.

• Businesses and tourists, who will benefit from a cleaner environment.

• The planet, as better waste management reduces landfill overflow and harmful emissions.

This problem matters to me because I live in an urban environment where waste is a constant challenge. Seeing garbage piling up not only looks unpleasant but also leads to diseases and discomfort. Efficient waste management improves quality of life and reflects responsible governance.

From a technical perspective, the system could use low-cost IoT sensors, cloud-based analytics, and route optimization algorithms powered by machine learning. Data privacy can be ensured by only tracking bins and collection schedules without personal information.

Though there will be challenges like sensor maintenance, connectivity, and funding, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment. By making waste management smarter, cities can become healthier, safer, and more sustainable for everyone. This is not just about garbage—it’s about dignity, health, and responsible living.

Smart Hydro-Care Plant Monitor. 

The Problem:

Many students and working professionals enjoy keeping indoor plants because they add beauty, freshness, and positivity to our spaces. However, a common challenge is not knowing when—and how much—to water or when to move the plant into better light. Some people forget to water for days, while others overwater, which is equally harmful. As a result, plants often wither and die, leaving people discouraged from continuing their plant-care journey.

Our Solution: Smart Plant Buddy

A low-cost sensor + mobile app solution that takes the guesswork out of plant care.

Real-Time Monitoring: A small soil sensor measures moisture, light, and temperature.

Smart, Custom Alerts: Get gentle notifications like “Water your Pothos within 12 hours” or “Y

our fern needs more light.”

Precise Water Guidance: The app recommends the exact quantity of water (e.g., “Add ~150 ml”) based on plant type, pot size, and soil conditions.

Plant Library & Profiles: Get customized guidance for each species—succulents, ferns, money plants, and more.

The Problem:

Food waste is a massive problem. Families throw away good food simply because they forgot what was in their fridge or don't know whether it expired or not. The tricky ones are fruits and vegetables, many people find it hard to distinguish between spoiled and overriped.

The Gap:

Current solutions are Best Before labels and certain apps that rely on us to remember which don't really solve the problem.

Smart fridges exist but they are very expensive and offer limited services.

The Solution:

This is where the Smart Food Expiry Trackers come in. It combines a simple scanning system with AI powered sensors and camara inside the fridge. The camara recognize the items that are put in the fridge and log its data like the expiry date. The sensors could detect gases released by ripening or rotting fruits and vegetables, monitor humidity and temprature, and use a small camara to track visual changes. An app would alert the user when the items are nearing expiry and give a clear "still good" or "spoiled" status for items that are hard to judge.

Who Benefits:

Mainly the households benifit from this by saving both money and food.

Communities benefit if surplus food is shared before it spoils.

Why This Matters to Me:

I just cannot tell the difference between overriped and spoiled fruits and vegetables. A fridge that could tell me directly would give me peace of mind, save money, and help reduce unnecessary waste.