After a five-year hiatus following the pandemic, the highly anticipated 6th Mitsubishi Electric Cup concluded on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Organized by Mitsubishi Electric India and hosted by Sona College, this two-day national-level automation competition brought together some of the brightest engineering minds in the country. The overarching theme for this edition, ‘Automating the World through Digital Innovation’, challenged participants to build smart, functional models utilizing advanced factory automation technologies.
The Road to the Finale
The virtual registration phase, which kicked off in July 2025, witnessed an overwhelming response across the nation.
- Total Proposals: 288 project submissions.
- Reach: 140 institutions spanning 19 states and 2 Union Territories.
- Finalists: 35 elite teams advanced to the grand finale.
Mentored by technical experts from Mitsubishi Electric India, these student teams were equipped with cutting-edge industrial hardware. This included Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), Servo Motors, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), and Computer Numerical Controls (CNCs) to help bring their smart manufacturing solutions to life.
Celebrating the Champions of 2026
The final exhibition showcased an impressive array of prototypes tackling real-world issues in domains like IoT, agricultural technology (AgriTech), energy-efficient automation, and reusable waste management.
- Winner: Team “Nexus AI” (Sona College of Technology, Tamil Nadu) clinched the top spot, taking home a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000 and the Winner Trophy. They have also earned the exclusive opportunity to represent Mitsubishi Electric India at the global MECA competition.
- First Runner-up: Team “Recycron” (MKSSS Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Pune) earned second place, awarded Rs. 75,000 and a trophy.
- Second Runner-up: Team “Pegasus” (COEP Technological University, Pune) secured the third position with Rs. 50,000 and a trophy.
- Most Popular Team: Team “Trisense Innovators” (Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT-WPU, Pune) won the crowd-favorite award.
Additionally, the top 15 performing teams were recognized with an appreciation prize of Rs. 10,000 each.
Evaluation Criteria and Industry Impact
To ensure the highest technical standards, finalists were rigorously judged on two primary pillars:
- System Design: Evaluated on the project’s innovation quotient, digital implementation, safety protocols, and the practical application of the e-F@ctory framework.
- Overall Presentation: Judged on the live system demonstration, foundational factory automation knowledge, and communication skills.
Leaders at Mitsubishi Electric India highlighted the importance of such platforms in bridging the gap between academic theory and practical, industry-ready engineering. Mr. Atsushi Takase, Managing Director, and Dr. S. Sriram, Director & Head of the Factory Automation & Industrial Division, emphasized that the event immerses students directly into modern Industry 4.0 and Society 5.0 environments. By building end-to-end working prototypes, these future engineers learn exactly how advanced technologies interact within real factory ecosystems—ultimately contributing to India’s national skill development and global technological growth.
