THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
PUNE, FEBRUARY 19, 2026
In a landmark recognition for responsible and human-centric technological
advancement, Lal Chandra Singh, Founder and Executive Chairman of Nihilent,
Pune, has been conferred the prestigious VASVIK Industrial Research Award
(2025) in the Information and Communication Technology category. The honour was
presented at the 51st Annual Industrial Research Awards hosted by Vividhlaxi
Audyogik Samshodhan Vikas Kendra (VASVIK) at B. J. Hall, Mumbai, where leading
Indian scientists were celebrated for their contributions to national
development. The ceremony was attended by Chief Guests BK Radhika Didi and Lord
Dr. Frank Mentrup, Mayor of Karlsruhe, Germany, along with eminent dignitaries
including Dr. Mohan I. Patel and Prof. M. M. Sharma.
The award recognises Singh’s sustained intellectual leadership in
designing human-centred frameworks that bridge technology, organisational
transformation, and behavioural insight. Over the years, he has developed
several proprietary models, including MC³, a patented change management
methodology; 14Signals, a structured framework for assessing customer perception,
experience, and value association; and PROLICY-D, a design thinking-driven,
holistic product development approach that embeds human-centricity across the
innovation lifecycle. Building upon this foundation of structured thinking, his
latest innovation, Emoscape, represents a significant advancement in
medical-grade Emotion AI.
Speaking on the occasion, L.C. Singh, Founder and Executive Chairman of
Nihilent Ltd., said, “I am deeply honoured to receive the VASVIK Industrial
Research Award. This recognition belongs to the entire team at Nihilent, who
believed in the vision of Emoscape. Our goal has always been to move beyond
data processing and leverage AI to better understand human emotions. I extend
my heartfelt congratulations to each recipient for their dedication,
perseverance and invaluable contributions to the nation. I sincerely thank
VASVIK for underscoring the importance of responsible and ethically driven
innovation in the ICT sector.”
Emoscape is positioned as a medical-grade Emotion AI platform capable of
detecting and calibrating emotional states through a precise one-minute scan
that analyses subtle upper-body micro-movements using a standard web camera. By
converting these micro-movement signatures into a structured emotional profile,
the platform introduces an objective and measurable dimension to emotional
understanding across sectors such as healthcare, sports science, education,
insurance, marketing, and corporate performance management.
The framework draws upon the nine classical emotional archetypes
described in the Natyashastra, the ancient Indian treatise on human behaviour
and performance. Through three-dimensional motion capture methodologies and
advanced analytical algorithms, the system maps fine-grained body dynamics onto
this classical model with clinical-grade precision, an approach strengthened by
peer-reviewed academic publication and ongoing research validation.
By integrating classical behavioural knowledge with contemporary Emotion
AI, Emoscape reflects Nihilent’s broader philosophy of transforming emotion
from an abstract construct into a measurable and accountable variable that
influences outcomes across industries and institutions. The platform seeks to
create structured pathways for incorporating emotional intelligence into
decision-making, performance optimisation, and human development frameworks.
Established in 1973, VASVIK is a non-profit institution dedicated to advancing excellence in science and technology in India. Over the past five decades, it has honoured more than 450 Indian scientists whose research has contributed directly to industrial progress and societal well-being. Awardees are selected through a rigorous multi-stage evaluation conducted by expert committees and the organisation’s Board of Advisors, ensuring that recognition is accorded to work with demonstrable national impact.
The honour marks a defining milestone for Nihilent and reinforces India’s growing global presence in ethically grounded, human-centred Emotion AI innovation, signalling a shift towards technologies that prioritise behavioural insight, societal value, and responsible application alongside technical advancement.
