S Shakeel Akthar’s electric patrol vehicle, Trike 2π, has secured national runner-up honors at the 2026 James Dyson Awards. The three-wheeler, designed for high-density areas, is currently operational at Chennai Central Railway Station. Supported by seed funding from IIT Palakkad, the venture is now focusing on scaling production for broader transit hub deployment.
The Trike 2π, an electric three-wheeled vehicle developed for patrol duties, has earned national runner-up recognition at the 2026 James Dyson Awards. Designed by mechanical engineering graduate S Shakeel Akthar, the vehicle aims to solve maneuverability problems often faced by security personnel in crowded spaces like railway stations and university campuses.
The core engineering feature of the Trike 2π is its 360-degree rotation capability, which allows the vehicle to turn within a five-foot radius. This design intends to bridge the gap between the agility of a two-wheeler and the stability of a four-wheeled platform. According to the developer, the vehicle underwent iterative design improvements, including adjustments to its suspension and ergonomics, based on feedback from security staff at the Kumaraguru College of Technology (KCT), where the project originated.
Currently, the startup has deployed 10 units at the Chennai Central Railway Station, with additional testing reportedly underway by the Coimbatore police. The venture has received institutional backing through seed funding from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad, facilitating the transition from a college prototype to an operational startup.
The electric utility vehicle sector in India is becoming increasingly competitive, with various startups emerging to address specific niche needs in public safety and transit logistics. For a venture at this stage, the primary challenges often involve scaling manufacturing processes, ensuring consistent battery performance, and establishing a robust maintenance network to support long-term operations in public infrastructure.
While the recognition at the James Dyson Awards provides validation for the startup's innovative design, its long-term viability will depend on the successful execution of its production scaling plans. The venture is currently aiming to secure a spot in the global Top 20 shortlist of the Dyson awards, which offers a potential prize pool of $30,000. For the startup, the focus will now turn toward expanding its presence across other major transit hubs and proving that the vehicle can maintain performance standards under rigorous, high-frequency use.