When Mark Rober, the YouTube star and former
NASA engineer known for his jaw-dropping experiments, arrived in India in April
2025, the country couldn’t have been more excited. The man who’s turned
science, engineering, and prank videos into an art form is on a mission to
uncover India's hidden innovators through a Jugaad invention contest.
His visit has not only captured the imagination of the Indian public but also
created a wave of inspiration, particularly among young inventors eager to
showcase their creativity.
Rober kicked off his India tour in Mumbai,
where his first stop was a live Q&A session at a local university.
Surrounded by aspiring engineers and students, Rober spoke about his time at
NASA and how his experiences there shaped his unique approach to
problem-solving. His message was clear: creativity and innovation are not
limited to labs or fancy equipment—often, the most brilliant ideas come from
humble beginnings.
He also visited Bengaluru, where he attended
an exclusive innovation fair showcasing student and startup prototypes that
were nothing short of extraordinary. Rober marveled at the diversity of ideas,
from eco-friendly energy solutions to technology that could make everyday life
easier. During his time in Bengaluru, he even got hands-on with a few projects,
including a solar-powered water purification system designed by local
engineering students.
A highlight of Rober's trip was his collaboration
with several popular Indian YouTubers, turning these interactions into
thrilling, science-filled challenges. In a collaboration with Slay Point,
Rober took on the challenge of building the world’s largest paper airplane,
blending engineering with humor. The video quickly went viral, drawing millions
of views and proving that science can be both educational and fun.
Rober’s time with CarryMinati was another
iconic moment in his India visit. Together, they worked on a project where they
used ordinary household items to create a machine that could simulate
gravity—an experiment that wowed viewers with its simplicity and ingenuity. The
two creators combined their passions for entertainment and science, making the
video both entertaining and informative.
Another notable collab was with Tech Burner,
where Rober and the tech expert created a “sci-fi” robot using old smartphones.
The video highlighted the importance of recycling tech and inspired viewers to
think about how they could repurpose their own gadgets.
But perhaps the most heartwarming collaboration was
with Hardik Pandya, the Indian cricketer, who joined Rober for a
challenge that combined science and sport. The duo built a
cricket-ball-launching machine that allowed Pandya to test his skills against a
robot. The video not only entertained but also educated viewers about the
intersection of technology and athletics.
However, the true highlight of Rober’s trip has
been his announcement of the #MarkRoberJugaad contest, where Rober
encourages Indians of all ages to showcase their most creative and practical
inventions using everyday household items. Whether it's a DIY water
filter, an automatic paper recycler, or a new type of bicycle made from scrap
metal, Rober believes there are ingenious minds everywhere waiting to be
discovered.
The contest runs until September 15, 2025,
and is open to anyone in India aged 8 and above. To enter, participants
must create a video of their Jugaad invention and post it on social media
platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or X. The catch is that
contestants must also submit the link to their video on the official contest
site, www.markroberjugaad.com, for their entry to be valid. The prize for the top ten
winners? A cash award of ₹5 lakh each.
This contest is not just about winning money; it's
about celebrating India’s spirit of innovation, especially the “Jugaad”
approach to problem-solving that the country is so famous for. Backed by CrunchLabs,
Rober’s innovation hub, the contest aims to inspire a new generation of
engineers and creators to think outside the box and turn everyday problems into
creative solutions.
Rober’s visit to India is more than a fun-filled
tour—it’s a celebration of the power of imagination and a call to action for
young minds across the country to show off their engineering skills. Whether
it's a small-town teenager building a robot from plastic bottles or a college
student creating a renewable energy project, the message is clear: Everyone
can be an inventor.
