At present, companies in India have to depend on America, Australia and European countries, to provide necessary equipment for drone manufacturing. However, IIT Kanpur is preparing to bolster technological advancements in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology, thereby furthering the dream of ‘Make in India’. A Centre for Drones shall soon be opened here and a proposal for the same has been sent to the Home Ministry for approval.
Expected to be functional by end of this year
Drones, aeroplanes and other UAVs shall be manufactured and tested at this upcoming centre, which is expected to be functional by the end of the year. To facilitate the testing process, a flying zone shall be demarcated within the college campus. Further, as the research at IIT Kanpur’s Centre for Drone gathers momentum, it shall increase employment opportunities for youths, as the institute is committed to mentoring start-up ideas.
Importance of the Centre for Drones
The Centre for Drones shall help in ensuring the safety and surveillance alongside search and rescue operations, undertaken by various departments. Hence, it shall cater to the needs of the police, army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), health departments and private companies.
Apart from this, this centre shall help in realising the dream of ‘Make in India’, as it is set to reduce the dependency on foreign countries. Presently, drone parts like batteries, sensors, cameras and engines, are imported from China, Taiwan and Israel, to attain cheaper alternatives, in comparison to those manufactured in America, Australia and European nations. With the onset of the pandemic, this has become difficult which is why this centre is expected to receive an approval at the earliest.
