25 February, 2025

Objective of the Session:

The objective of this expert lecture was to familiarize undergraduate students with the concept of smart drives and their role in Industry 4.0 and IoT-enabled systems. The session aimed to highlight how the convergence of electrical drives, power electronics, and digital technologies is transforming modern industries through automation, connectivity, and energy efficiency.

Dr. Krishna Patel discussed the evolution of electrical drives from conventional systems to intelligent, connected, and self-optimizing smart drives. The lecture explained the integration of IoT technologies with electrical drives, allowing real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and remote control. The expert also emphasized the applications of smart drives in manufacturing automation, robotics, process industries, and smart grids. The session covered key technologies such as embedded controllers, cloud-based monitoring, digital twins, and AI/ML-based diagnostics for drives. Case studies from industries adopting smart drives for improving productivity and reducing downtime were also presented.

Outcome

After attending this lecture, participants:

- Understood the fundamentals of smart drives and their relevance in Industry 4.0.
- Learned how IoT integration enables real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance in electrical drives. 

- Explored applications of smart drives in automation, robotics, and process control.
- Gained awareness of digital technologies like cloud platforms, digital twins, and AI in drive systems.
- Were motivated to explore projects and research in IoT-enabled electrical drive systems.

The lecture concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where students raised queries on the practical implementation of IoT in industrial drives, cybersecurity challenges, and career opportunities in the field. Feedback was highly positive, with participants appreciating the industry-oriented approach of the session.