Components worth several billions of rupees are needed across the world to make drones, micro air vehicles and nano air vehicles. Every new innovative idea can become a reality with the help of IIT and technology, said ‘Father of Drones' Dr Krishna Venkatesh.
He was addressing the ANFANG fest organised at IIT-Tirupati for students of various colleges here Saturday. A robot workshop and technological update lectures were conducted on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Krishna Venkatesh said that nano air vehicles (NAVs) and micro air vehicles (MAVs) besides marine vehicles are the future of the world. However, all the components, parts, electronic, software and hardware items used in these vehicles are imported from foreign countries, for there is no single manufacturing unit in India. Even India needs tens of billions worth parts for making NAVs and MAVs, he pointed out.
Though we have sufficient ancient knowledge in this field, no profound study was taken up from 1998 to 2013. Similarly, no funds were allocated and R&D support was extended to study drones and related fields through National Programme on Micro Air Vehicle (NP MICAV), he wondered.
Though the Central government allocated `100 crore in 2013, it spent only `45 crore, that too, on two individual projects. On the other hand, several countries are developing Cyborg (Cybernetic Organism) is a being with organic bio-mechatronic body parts), Bumblebrog, 03-inch nanos, 12-inch micros and 12 to 72-inch mini along with fixed, flapping and rotary-wing NAVs and MAVs. Similarly, robotic fish, humming bird, fly and others are already out in commercial arena, he added.