Pune, 21st February, 2026: Mitsubishi Electric India, a global leader in Electric & Electronic Equipment, announced the winners of the 6th Mitsubishi Electric Cup on Saturday, 21st February 2026. The two-day National Level Automation Competition, returning after a five-year gap post Covid, saw 35 teams compete on the theme ‘Automating the World through Digital Innovation’. Organised annually, the competition challenges engineering students to design, build, and demonstrate innovative working models using Mitsubishi Electric factory automation technologies.
The virtual registration for the 6th Mitsubishi Electric Cup began in July 2025 and received 288 proposals from 140 institutions across 19 states and 2 Union Territories. Participating teams were mentored by Mitsubishi Electric India’s technical team and provided with essential Factory Automation products such as PLCs, HMIs, Servo Motors, VFDs, and CNCs to develop smart manufacturing solutions.
“The Mitsubishi Electric Cup’s core vision is to cultivate future-ready engineers who can innovate, automate, and contribute to a technologically advanced and sustainable world. The idea is to strengthen students’ innovative consciousness, cooperative spirit, and engineering practice abilities by encouraging hands on technological and automation-based projects,” said Mr. Atsushi Takase, Managing Director, Mitsubishi Electric India, speaking of the 2026 edition. “Response for the event was very positive, and quality of received proposals were in various domains such as IoT, Energy efficient automation, Smart manufacturing solutions, AgriTech, and Application-specific industry problems that are suitable for a host of industries, besides accruing social benefits like energy management and reusable waste management,” he added.
The competition featured innovative project models addressing areas such as building automation, industrial manufacturing processes, and societal challenges. Team “Nexus AI” from Sona College of Technology, Tamil Nadu, won the 6th Mitsubishi Electric Cup, receiving Rs. 1,00,000 and a Winner Trophy. “Recycron” from MKSSS Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Pune secured second place with Rs. 75,000 and a Runner-up Trophy, while Team “Pegasus” from COEP Technological University, Pune secured third place, receiving Rs. 50,000 and a Trophy. The ‘Most Popular Team’ award went to Team “Trisense Innovators” from Dr Vishwanath Karad MIT-WPU, Pune. The top 15 teams received appreciation prizes of Rs. 10,000 each along with certificates. The winning team will represent Mitsubishi Electric India at the global MECA competition. All participating teams received participation certificates.
Teams were evaluated on two key parameters: System Design (innovation, implementation, safety, and digitalisation concepts) and Overall Presentation (system demo, presentation skills, and FA knowledge). Teams were required to design and build complete working models aligned to the competition theme, ‘Automating the World through Digital Innovation’ using Mitsubishi Electric Factory Automation products, based on the e-F@ctory concept, while demonstrating strong product and application understanding. The participating teams had to independently design and produce a complete set of devices/models using Mitsubishi Electric Factory Automation products. The control system was to be built based on the-F@ctory concept.
“The 2025-26 Mitsubishi Electric Cup centred on the theme ‘Automating the World through Digital Innovation’, which directly mirrors the current transformation underway in global and Indian manufacturing. The competition’s focus areas highlight several critical industrial challenges that companies are actively trying to solve today,” said Dr. S. Sriram, Director & Head, Factory Automation & Industrial Division (FAID), Mitsubishi Electric India. He referred to the students receiving hands on training and mentorship from Mitsubishi engineers, strengthening their practical understanding of automation technologies. “Through this platform, students were exposed to modern Industry 4.0 and Society 5.0 environments. By building complete working models, students learned how advanced technologies interact in real factory ecosystems, fostering industry ready skills. Mitsubishi Electric is not only helping a world of industries, but also a world of societies to apply automation for the greater benefit,” he emphasized.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Team Nexus AI from Sona College of Technology, for emerging as the winners of the 6th Edition of the Mitsubishi Electric Cup. I would also like to commend all participating teams for demonstrating exceptional technical capability, creativity, and innovative thinking throughout the competition. Mitsubishi Electric India is proud to engage with young talent and academic institutions across the country, fostering the development of innovative automation solutions that have the potential to create meaningful societal impact. Through platforms like the Mitsubishi Electric Cup, we aim to empower young minds to transform ideas into practical solutions, while gaining valuable mentorship from experienced professionals in the field of Factory Automation,” said Mr. Atsushi Takase, summing up the proceedings of the 6th edition of the Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
Competitions like the ME Cup support India’s national skill development initiatives and contribute to building a highly skilled workforce capable of driving industrial and technological growth. Mitsubishi Electric India will continue to inspire young innovators to push boundaries, excel in advanced technologies, and strengthen India’s position on the global innovation landscape.