The Department of Robotics and Automation, Paavai Engineering College, organized a Guest Lecture on “AI-Powered Robotics: From Perception to Autonomous Decision-Making” on 3rd November 2025 (Monday) at 11.00 a.m. in Cute Hall.
The Chief Guest of the day was Dr. A. Mahamani, Dean (R&D) and Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering and Technology, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. The program was coordinated by Mr. Prabhu M. K. and Mr. Premraj R., under the guidance of the Convener, Dr. V. Subburam, HoD, Robotics and Automation, and the Patron, Dr. M. Premkumar, Principal. The event was felicitated by Dr. K. K. Ramasamy, Director – Administration.
The guest lecture aimed to provide deep insights into how Artificial Intelligence empowers modern robotics to evolve from perception-based systems to fully autonomous decision-making.
Dr. A. Mahamani began his presentation by tracing the evolution of intelligent robots, highlighting how traditional robots, once confined to repetitive operations, have now transformed into adaptive, learning-based systems capable of making complex decisions.
He explained that AI-powered robotics integrates mechanical precision with cognitive intelligence, enabling robots to sense their surroundings, interpret data through perception systems, and make autonomous choices. Through detailed slides, he elaborated on key topics such as computer vision, machine learning, human–robot interaction, and the ethical challenges associated with AI-based robotics.
The speaker emphasized how AI-driven robots are revolutionizing industries — from manufacturing and healthcare to logistics and defense — by enhancing productivity, precision, and safety. He demonstrated how sensors, perception systems, and adaptive control frameworks enable robots to respond effectively to dynamic environments and varied tasks. Furthermore, he described autonomous decision-making frameworks that allow robots to operate with minimal human intervention while maintaining high reliability.
Dr. Mahamani also discussed future trends and challenges, including data security, ethical deployment, and the need for transparency in AI algorithms. He highlighted that the future of robotics lies in collaborative, self-learning robots capable of understanding and cooperating with humans in shared workspaces.
The lecture was conducted in an engaging and interactive manner. The Chief Guest encouraged students to strengthen their knowledge in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to become future-ready engineers in the robotics domain. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, where Dr. Mahamani thoughtfully responded to students’ questions.
The event was well-organized with active involvement from the student volunteers. Mr. Keerthivasan served as the Master of Ceremonies, Ms. P. J. Abhinaya welcomed the gathering, Ms. S. Rithikasri introduced the Chief Guest, Ms. R. Vasihnavi delivered the Welcome Address, and the Vote of Thanks was proposed by Ms. Sanjeetha.
The program received excellent feedback from participants, who appreciated the practical insights and inspiring delivery of Dr. Mahamani. The guest lecture successfully enriched students’ understanding of the dynamic field of AI-powered robotics and its expanding role in engineering and technology.
