Help Me Represent India at a Global Robotics Research Program in Italy

Hello everyone,

My name is Yashwanth Krishna Chityala, and I am currently pursuing a Joint PhD in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at BITS Pilani and RMIT University, Australia.

My journey into robotics has been driven by a simple dream to build intelligent machines that can solve real-world problems and create meaningful impact.

After graduating in Mechanical Engineering (Mechatronics), I began my career in a stable engineering role. However, my passion for robotics pushed me to take a different path. I left that comfort behind and chose to work in robotics-focused startups and research projects, even at the cost of a significantly lower salary, because I wanted to build and work on real autonomous systems.

Over the years, I have worked on marine robotics, autonomous vehicles, embedded systems, and AI-driven technologies through organisations such as Seaconvoy Systems and IIT Madras. These experiences allowed me to work on real-world autonomous systems and strengthened my belief that robotics and artificial intelligence can be powerful tools for solving some of society's most pressing challenges.
Today, my PhD research focuses on developing AI-powered autonomous marine vessels that can detect and collect floating plastic waste, helping address one of the world's growing environmental challenges. By combining robotics, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and autonomous navigation, I hope to contribute towards cleaner and healthier water ecosystems for future generations.

International research opportunity

I am honoured to share that I have been selected as an international participant for the 4th Doctoral Summer School on Robotics and Intelligent Machines (DRIMS 2026) at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.

The program will be held from 30 August to 6 September 2026 and brings together leading researchers, professors, and doctoral scholars from around the world working in robotics and intelligent systems. Out of 140 participants, only a small number of seats are allocated to international researchers, and I am grateful to have earned one of those opportunities.

With the program approaching soon, I now have only a limited time to arrange the funds required for registration, travel, accommodation, and visa processing. While being selected for this prestigious program is a proud milestone in my academic journey, attending it is only possible with timely financial support.

Participating in DRIMS 2026 will allow me to learn directly from world-leading experts, collaborate with researchers from different countries, gain exposure to cutting-edge advancements in robotics, and bring valuable knowledge back to my ongoing research. The experience and connections gained through this program can significantly contribute to both my PhD work and future innovations in robotics and environmental sustainability.

Unfortunately, the overall cost of attending the program is beyond what I can currently manage on my own.

Estimated Expenses
Registration Fee – ₹35,000
Accommodation – ₹95,000 (prescribed by the university) 
Return Flights – ₹85,000
Visa Expenses – ₹15,000
Insurance – ₹3,000
Local Transport – ₹15,000
Miscellaneous & Contingency – ₹15,000

Total Required: ₹2,63,000

Every contribution, regardless of the amount, will bring me one step closer to attending this program and advancing my research journey.

Your support is not just helping me travel to Italy; it is helping a young researcher gain access to global learning opportunities, contribute to meaningful research, and continue working towards technologies that can create a positive environmental impact.

If you are unable to contribute, sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and professional network would also mean a great deal to me.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting my dream.

With gratitude,
Yashwanth