Startup in Kerala develops drone with AI to combat COVID-19
The unmanned 'Garud' has been designed andengineered by AI Aerial Dynamics at the Maker Village, claimedto be India's largest electronic hardware incubator and ESDMfacility.
The integrated solution was developed fullyleveraging globally-benchmarked labs and equipment besidesproduct development software solutions available at MakerVillage.
The indigenously-made drone is highly efficientand effective than those currently imported from othercountries, where the applicable payload is lower than that ofGarud and the option for customization is not possible,officials said here on Friday.
Garud can monitor roads and bylanes besidesresidential pockets and aerodromes that have been locked downacross the country since March 25 in an effort to check thespread of coronavirus that is posing a global threat to humanlife.
Already, Kerala Police are using the drones toensure the efficacy of the shutdown.
Also, the aerial vehicle can collect thermal databy using an array of IR sensors and advanced digitaltechnology called EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSMEvolution), thus working as a means to combat the pandemic,according to a statement issued by the Maker Village.
The vehicle can collect swabs and samples ofpeople for the virus test.
It has the capacity to carry weight up to 60 kg,thus facilitating distribution of even essential commoditiesif there is an exigency.
Further, Garud can feature a modern sprayer whichcan be used to shower disinfectants from above.
It has also a loudspeaker for public announcements,according to AI Aerial Dynamics founder-CEO Vishnu V Nath.
"Besides the AI-supported engine, the fully-automated Garud has a high-resolution camera, a facility tocarry weight, a micro-sprayer and thermal scanner.
The visuals it generates can zoom into specifics withcentimeter-level accuracy.The images it captures will besimultaneously saved in the operating unit on the ground,"Nath said.
"If the vehicle loses range or exhausts battery(capacity: 150 minutes), it will fly down to the point oftake-off."
The UAV uses a hybrid engine for its flight.
The 2016-founded Maker Village, which functionsat the Integrated Startup Complex near here, is a jointinitiative of Union Ministry of Electronics and InformationTechnology and the Government of Kerala with IIITM-K inThiruvananthapuram as the nodal agency.
IA Aerial Dynamics is also developing drones forthe NPOL lab of DRDO and other defence establishments.
The drone is capable of adapting to requirementssince it has been developed indigenously.
"Its capability to fly with a load weighing as muchas 60 kg is one instance of how Garud has an edge over itscounterparts in other countries," Nath added.
The UAV, with its high payload, unique platformfor integration of sensors and provisions such as sanitizerand pickup mechanism besides the AI engine, makes the solutiona one-of-its kind in combating the pandemic and similarapplications in disaster management.
The vehicle was widely used for relief activitiesduring the flood in the year 2019.
A state-of-the-art lab in Maker Village enabled IAAerial Dynamics to conceive and engineer the prototype forGarud, Nath said.
"That is how we could so quickly launch the productin the market," he pointed out.
Maker Village, which is emerging as the largestand the best deep-tech innovation platform in the country, isimplementing various innovation and entrepreneurshipdevelopment programmes with Ministry of Defence, Department ofScience and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Ministryof MSME, apart from the flagship ESDM scheme with UnionMinistry of Electronics and Information Technology, accordingto the statement. TGB BNWELCOME BNWELCOME