Come April and the first phase of T-Works, a well-stocked, 78,000 sq. ft prototyping lab will open in the heart of Hyderabad’s IT hub.
A Telangana government initiative, for which leading tech-driven firms have pledged support, T-Works will be the largest in India providing an avenue for makers, be they established companies, start-ups, professionals, students and even children. The facility has entailed an investment of ₹60 crore and the first phase can accommodate 500 people.
Guiding makers
First to get off the block will be a prototyping lab, being set up on behalf of GE First Build, in a little over a month from now. The full-fledged first phase of T-Works will be ready in April next year, IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan said. A range of equipment, including those high precision, from CNC machines, 3D printers, welding to carpentry tools, will be available. So will mentors to guide the makers.
Taking shape in Raidurgam, the facility will offer a host of support and can be accessed, on payment of a fee, by individuals, corporates and even engineering colleges, said Sujai Karampuri, CEO of T-Works and Director-Electronics in the Department of IT, Electronics and Communications.
The officials briefed media here on Friday about Maker Faire, a three-day event from November 9 at Hitex being organised to create buzz around T-Works. At over 50,000 sq. ft, it will be the biggest of its kind in the country and is expected to attract over 15,000 enthusiasts.
It would provide insights into the maker community, what are the members doing and the issues they faced, Mr. Ranjan said.
The event would serve as a forum for people interested in prototyping, showcasing their work, as well as interaction, workshop and master classes with experts. Figuring in the list of guests is Dale Dougherty, who conceived the Maker Faire in the US over a decade ago.
To queries, Mr. Karampuri said T-Works 2nd phase would see the facility expanded to 2.50 lakh sq. ft. and provide incubation space for companies. The second phase would be completed in two years.
New T-Hub CEO
On T-Hub tech incubator’s second phase, which along with IMAGE Tower and T-Works are coming up on a land parcel of 15 acres, Mr. Ranjan said the work is likely to be completed in June-July next year.
To another query said, selection of a new CEO is over and he will be joining from December 1. “We gave him appointment order yesterday,” the IT Secretary said, adding the name would be announced at a later date.