SOURCE: AFI
The Information Technology wing of the School of Engineering at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) is embarking on a mission to create cost-effective indigenous drones with applications ranging from aiding in rescue operations to enhancing surveillance and revolutionizing technology-assisted farming practices. This initiative aims to develop fully indigenous drones, utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) for automation. The project has garnered significant interest from government departments, including the Kerala Police and the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
In its initial stages, the project incorporated certain machine parts from external sources into the drone’s design. However, the primary goal is to produce a completely indigenous drone. School of Engineering faculty member Santhosh Kumar mentioned that the prototype of these drones is expected to be finalized within a year.
These drones will be equipped with machine learning capabilities and AI-driven automation, enabling them to perform various tasks. One of the key applications envisioned is assisting farmers with irrigation needs. However, their potential applications have expanded considerably in response to interest from various sectors, including government bodies and law enforcement.
Government departments, such as the Kerala Police, have shown interest in utilizing these drones for large crowd monitoring. Additionally, the drones can be integrated with the police control system for real-time surveillance, enhancing law enforcement operations.
The ongoing research aims to develop drones with a substantial payload capacity of up to 100kg, catering to the specific needs of farmers. These drones will be designed to operate using various fuel sources, including petrol.
To further enhance the design and production of these indigenous drones, the School of Engineering is in the process of establishing a partnership with the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), India’s largest aerospace company. An official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the university and NAL is scheduled to be signed on October 30, signifying a significant step in advancing this innovative project.
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