The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has developed a solar-powered food vending cart equipped with digital payment facilities to help street vendors operate more flexibly and expand their customer base. The mobile vending machine is designed to move between locations, allowing vendors to serve customers at different places without permanently occupying public spaces.
Mounted on a three-wheeler, the innovative cart was unveiled on Friday during the launch of ‘Nagar Udyam – From Street Vendor to Smart Entrepreneur’ on the institute’s campus.
Solar Power and Digital Payments for Street Vendors
The vending cart comes with several features, including solar power, digital payment options, an illuminated product display and a three-way waste segregation system. Its three-wheeler design allows vendors to transport the cart easily and take it home after business hours.
The mobile setup enables vendors to reach different customer groups throughout the day while reducing the need to occupy public spaces permanently. Solar energy also offers a cleaner power source for operating the vending unit.
IIT Kharagpur Aims to Empower Small Businesses
IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty, who conceived the project, said the initiative was part of the institute’s plans to mark its platinum jubilee. He noted that the project reflected IIT Kharagpur’s commitment to using technology to address practical challenges and support social and economic development.
The initiative aims to do more than improve the design of traditional street carts. It seeks to create better business opportunities for vendors by combining mobility, clean energy and digital financial services.
Chakraborty highlighted that a business capable of moving according to customer demand, returning home at the end of the day and using digital payment systems could help transform street vendors into independent entrepreneurs and job creators.
SETU Platform to Support Testing and Digital Integration
The solar-powered vending cart will be tested through IIT Kharagpur’s SETU Cloud Kitchen Connect platform. The platform is designed to help vendors access digital identification, QR-based services, cashless payments, training and improved business record-keeping.
Integrating the vending machine with the platform is expected to help vendors adopt digital tools, manage their operations more efficiently and strengthen their business practices.
Technology to Create New Opportunities for Vendors
Through this initiative, IIT Kharagpur aims to demonstrate how practical technology can improve livelihoods and support small businesses. By combining solar energy, mobile vending, digital payments and waste segregation, the project seeks to make street vending more flexible, organised and sustainable.
The initiative also highlights the potential of technology-driven solutions to help traditional vendors expand their reach, improve business management and move towards entrepreneurship.
