Mark Rober's Visit to India: A Celebration of Innovation and Creativity

 


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.