The Robotics Forum
The Robotics Forum
TRF is VIT Pune's foremost and leading robotics club with a 17-year legacy. Founded by a group of robotics enthusiasts, the organization has participated in and won many national level robotics competitions and hackathons. A key goal of The Robotics Forum is to inspire a passion for robotics in students, in addition to providing them with an opportunity to showcase their dynamic, creative and knowledge skills.
TRF is VIT Pune's foremost and leading robotics club with a 17-year legacy. Founded by a group of robotics enthusiasts, the organization has participated in and won many national level robotics competitions and hackathons. A key goal of The Robotics Forum is to inspire a passion for robotics in students, in addition to providing them with an opportunity to showcase their dynamic, creative and knowledge skills.
What TRF do?
What TRF do?
TRF – The Robotics Forum is the official robotics club of VIT Pune, dedicated to cultivating a strong robotics culture within the college.
Throughout the academic year, the club actively participates in prestigious competitions such as e-Yantra, a robotics outreach initiative by IIT Bombay funded by the Ministry of Education, which encourages students to tackle real-world problems through innovative, tech-driven solutions.
TRF also takes part in ABU Robocon, a renowned international robotics competition where student-built robots compete to complete dynamic tasks within a time limit.
Alongside competitions, TRF regularly conducts hands-on workshops in various domains of robotics, helping students develop practical skills that support both their academic and personal learning journeys.
TRF – The Robotics Forum is the official robotics club of VIT Pune, dedicated to cultivating a strong robotics culture within the college.
Throughout the academic year, the club actively participates in prestigious competitions such as e-Yantra, a robotics outreach initiative by IIT Bombay funded by the Ministry of Education, which encourages students to tackle real-world problems through innovative, tech-driven solutions.
TRF also takes part in ABU Robocon, a renowned international robotics competition where student-built robots compete to complete dynamic tasks within a time limit.
Alongside competitions, TRF regularly conducts hands-on workshops in various domains of robotics, helping students develop practical skills that support both their academic and personal learning journeys.
My contribution to TRF primarily lay in the creative domain. I supported the team with event aesthetics—designing visual setups and enhancing the overall presentation during key events. It was fulfilling to be the creative mind the team could rely on, adding a touch of design to their innovative work in robotics.
My contribution to TRF primarily lay in the creative domain. I supported the team with event aesthetics—designing visual setups and enhancing the overall presentation during key events. It was fulfilling to be the creative mind the team could rely on, adding a touch of design to their innovative work in robotics.
How it all started?
How it all started?
As a member of VICulP, I often interacted with the TRF team since our rooms are right next to each other. Being so close, we gradually became friends and got along well. In March 2024, VICulP took the initiative to paint its room wall.
As a member of VICulP, I often interacted with the TRF team since our rooms are right next to each other. Being so close, we gradually became friends and got along well. In March 2024, VICulP took the initiative to paint its room wall.
Seeing this, the TRF team also wanted to get their wall painted, and at that time, I happened to be the only one available. So, I took the initiative on my own.
They already had a white base coat on the wall, so to keep the design aligned with their club logo and color palette, I chose to go with black outline art. The minimal yet bold approach not only matched their identity but also brought a clean, cohesive look to the space.
Seeing this, the TRF team also wanted to get their wall painted, and at that time, I happened to be the only one available. So, I took the initiative on my own.
They already had a white base coat on the wall, so to keep the design aligned with their club logo and color palette, I chose to go with black outline art. The minimal yet bold approach not only matched their identity but also brought a clean, cohesive look to the space.
Here, you can see the cute robot that gives off a welcoming vibe. The mechanical arm was requested by a senior TRF member and is actually my personal favorite. I used charcoal to create a 3D effect to it, adding depth and realism to the design.
Here, you can see the cute robot that gives off a welcoming vibe. The mechanical arm was requested by a senior TRF member and is actually my personal favorite. I used charcoal to create a 3D effect to it, adding depth and realism to the design.
These were the references I used
These were the references I used
TRF Inauguration Ceremony 2024
TRF Inauguration Ceremony 2024
In October 2024, TRF is hosting their Inaugural Ceremony, marking the start of the new tenure. This event showcases the work completed in the previous term and features expert sessions from industry professionals.
In October 2024, TRF is hosting their Inaugural Ceremony, marking the start of the new tenure. This event showcases the work completed in the previous term and features expert sessions from industry professionals.
For this event, Samiran—a core member of TRF—and Sahil—who also handles the creative side—reached out to me, trusting my previous work, to collaborate on the ambience decor.
For this event, Samiran—a core member of TRF—and Sahil—who also handles the creative side—reached out to me, trusting my previous work, to collaborate on the ambience decor.
A week before the event, we met to brainstorm and finalize the ideas to be executed.
I emphasized creating a blend of art and robotics.
A week before the event, we met to brainstorm and finalize the ideas to be executed.
I emphasized creating a blend of art and robotics.
So, one by one, let me walk you through what we created.
So, one by one, let me walk you through what we created.
WELCOME
WELCOME
The word "WELCOME" stands boldly in uppercase, each letter includes robotics-themed doodles hand drawn by the team. The standout feature—the letter "O" replaced with a motor-powered rotating gear—adds a dynamic touch, instantly evoking a sense of innovation and tech for anyone who walks in.
The word "WELCOME" stands boldly in uppercase, each letter includes robotics-themed doodles hand drawn by the team. The standout feature—the letter "O" replaced with a motor-powered rotating gear—adds a dynamic touch, instantly evoking a sense of innovation and tech for anyone who walks in.
Hi-fi Robot
Hi-fi Robot
Reference
Reference
FInal Output
FInal Output
This adorable robot panda placed at the auditorium entrance adds a playful charm. With one arm connected to a servo motor and Arduino, it waves continuously—almost as if it’s saying "Hi!" and warmly welcoming every guest.
This adorable robot panda placed at the auditorium entrance adds a playful charm. With one arm connected to a servo motor and Arduino, it waves continuously—almost as if it’s saying "Hi!" and warmly welcoming every guest.
The Memory Prop
The Memory Prop
Reference
Reference
On the way
On the way
Final Output
Final Output
This piece showcases photos capturing TRF’s journey and the special moments shared by its members, offering a glimpse into the team’s bond and spirit.
This piece showcases photos capturing TRF’s journey and the special moments shared by its members, offering a glimpse into the team’s bond and spirit.
WelcoBot
WelcoBot
We had a few spare boxes left from the memory prop setup, so I decided to use them creatively to build a 3D robot. One hand gestures a warm handshake to welcome the audience, while the other points toward the auditorium. The pop of orange adds a vibrant and cheerful touch.
We had a few spare boxes left from the memory prop setup, so I decided to use them creatively to build a 3D robot. One hand gestures a warm handshake to welcome the audience, while the other points toward the auditorium. The pop of orange adds a vibrant and cheerful touch.
TRF from scrap
TRF from scrap
If you’re around a robotics club, you’ll definitely spot electronic scrap lying around. But for me, that’s pure art material. I used it to make the TRF logo by arranging the pieces in a cool mosaic pattern—and honestly, it looked amazing on the podium.
If you’re around a robotics club, you’ll definitely spot electronic scrap lying around. But for me, that’s pure art material. I used it to make the TRF logo by arranging the pieces in a cool mosaic pattern—and honestly, it looked amazing on the podium.
BHAU 6.0
BHAU 6.0
BHAU, yes it's a name for the robot—giving off a vibe of brotherhood and a mischievous character. Formally, it stands for:
B - Brilliant
H - Helpful
A - Autonomous
U - Unique
BHAU is a proud member of the TRF family, packed with cool features like voice control, gesture control, line following, object detection, human following, and a 3-wheel holonomic drive.
BHAU, yes it's a name for the robot—giving off a vibe of brotherhood and a mischievous character. Formally, it stands for:
B - Brilliant
H - Helpful
A - Autonomous
U - Unique
BHAU is a proud member of the TRF family, packed with cool features like voice control, gesture control, line following, object detection, human following, and a 3-wheel holonomic drive.
To make BHAU look as awesome as it performs, one of our junior members designed its structure, as you can see in the picture.
To make BHAU look as awesome as it performs, one of our junior members designed its structure, as you can see in the picture.
We used Sun Board sheets and Fevikwik to cover the mechanical parts, carefully fitting in a hidden camera.
Though we had limited time to finish it on the event day, the end result perfectly matched BHAU’s bold and lively attitude—and it looked stunning!
We used foam sheets and Fevikwik to cover the mechanical parts, carefully fitting in a hidden camera.
Though we had limited time to finish it on the event day, the end result perfectly matched BHAU’s bold and lively attitude—and it looked stunning!
Auditorium Side Panels
Auditorium Side Panels
To cover the auditorium’s side panels and create the illusion of a larger space, we filled them with six trapezium-shaped cardboard pieces. Each one featured the name of a workshop to promote them.
To cover the auditorium’s side panels and create the illusion of a larger space, we filled them with six trapezium-shaped cardboard pieces. Each one featured the name of a workshop to promote them.
The event turned out to be a great success, especially in capturing the attention of first-year students and building excitement to join the club. But none of this would’ve been possible without Samiran and Sahil, who believed in my creative process and teamed up with me from start to finish—right from gathering materials to even drawing straight lines!
The event turned out to be a great success, especially in capturing the attention of first-year students and building excitement to join the club. But none of this would’ve been possible without Samiran and Sahil, who believed in my creative process and teamed up with me from start to finish—right from gathering materials to even drawing straight lines!
Of course, other core members were also there to support. The appreciation I received from seniors after the event truly meant a lot and added a valuable milestone in my creative journey, showing me how beautifully art and technology can complement each other.
Of course, other core members were also there to support. The appreciation I received from seniors after the event truly meant a lot and added a valuable milestone in my creative journey, showing me how beautifully art and technology can complement each other.
Check out more.
Check out more.
