DroneAcharya has already trained over 1500 DGCA-certified drone pilots Pan India, with defence officials, including defence personnel from the Directorate General of Resettlement of the Indian defence forces at IIT Ropar. Additionally, in collaboration with C-PYTE, DroneAcharya has trained 150 youths from Punjab in drone operations and agricultural applications at this centre with a focus on driving the advancement of India’s aerospace sector.

DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations Ltd. has received revised approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its RPTO at IIT Ropar, Punjab. The latest certification includes medium-class drone training, expanding the scope of operations at the center, which previously offered only small-class RPAS training. The RPTO falls under the rotorcraft category, sub-category RPAS, and is approved for VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) conditions.

The RPTO at IIT Ropar currently offers courses such as drone pilot training (DGCA certified), aerial cinematography, GIS for drone data processing, drone building, drone in agriculture, Python for GIS, advanced LiDAR and GIS, disaster management with drones, and drone racing.

DroneAcharya has already trained over 1500 DGCA-certified drone pilots Pan India, with defence officials, including defense personnel from the Directorate General of Resettlement of the Indian defence forces at IIT Ropar. Additionally, in collaboration with C-PYTE, DroneAcharya has trained 150 youths from Punjab in drone operations and agricultural applications. The training efforts at this centre contribute to India’s broader skilling efforts under national initiatives like Skill India, Drone Shakti, and Namo Drone Didi, which aim to develop a robust drone ecosystem by fostering certified and technically sound drone professionals.

Prateek Srivastava, Founder and Managing Director of DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations Ltd., said,

DroneAcharya is India’s highest-rated DGCA-certified RPTO, operating across India in states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, along with a suite of non-DGCA drone programs delivered pan-India.

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FARIDABAD: Manav Rachna University today inaugurated a pioneering drone training and innovation facility, the AeroVision Drone Lab, named as iFLY (Innovation in Flight Laboratory for Youth),  under the sponsorship of AICTE and in collaboration with AVPL, aimed at creating a skilled, future-ready workforce in drone technology and services. The lab was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), Chairman of National Board of Accreditation (NBA), Chairman EC-National Assessment & Accreditation Council (NAAC), in the august presence of Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, and senior dignitaries from Manav Rachna Educational Institutions.

Set up as a robust, interdisciplinary hub, the iFLY lab will cater to students of multiple BTech specializations, Computer Science, Mechanical, Robotics, Electronics, and Artificial Intelligence, preparing them for emerging career roles such as drone pilots, service technicians, and battery system experts. Applications will span across the vital sectors of agriculture, surveillance, and disaster management.

“This generation needs immersive, hands-on exposure to the technologies that will shape India’s future. iFLY is more than a training lab. It embodies where academic excellence meets national need. With drones playing an increasingly critical role in agriculture, infrastructure, defence, and emergency response, this initiative by Manav Rachna sets the right tone for what technical education must look like in 2025 and beyond.”

said Prof. (Dr.) Anil Sahasrabudhe at the ceremony.

Manav Rachna believes in interdisciplinary and innovative learning, and the iFLY lab brings this philosophy to life by integrating practical training, industry exposure, and cross-disciplinary education under one roof.

Said Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE.

The lab has been established in partnership with AVPL, a company engaged in drone manufacturing, training, and AgriTech-based workforce development. The collaboration brings industry insight directly into the university ecosystem, ensuring students are exposed to current technologies, workflows, and certifications aligned with employment demands.

said Rajive Gulati, AVPL.

Dr. Prashant Bhalla, President, MREI, emphasized the broader vision behind iFLY,

“We see iFLY as the beginning of a knowledge ecosystem where innovation, skills, and industry come together. Our students will not only gain certifications for today’s job roles but also become contributors to how this industry evolves in India. At Manav Rachna, we believe in giving our engineers roots in strong fundamentals and wings to fly into future industries.”

Speaking about the university’s interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Amit Bhalla, Vice President, MREI, added,

Highlighting the academic and research edge the lab will bring, Prof. (Dr.) Deependra Kumar Jha, Vice Chancellor of Manav Rachna University, stated,

The iFLY lab aims to establish an applied knowledge ecosystem to address the surging demand in India for skilled drone personnel across sectors. It aligns with national initiatives such as Drone Shakti and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, building capacity not just at the operator level but also in maintenance, systems integration, and AI-enabled drone intelligence.

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Initially focusing on the growing e-commerce sector, this innovative approach is set to revolutionize last-mile delivery by offering same-day delivery for shipments, significantly reducing delivery time and environmental impact. This milestone achievement coincided with World Environment Day, emphasizing Blue Dart’s commitment to sustainable logistics.

On this initiative, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, says, “The logistics sector in India is experiencing an exhilarating phase. The nation’s robust economic growth, coupled with the aspirations of its consumers and growth in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities, has significantly boosted purchasing power. This surge in demand emphasizes the need for innovative solutions that drive growth while ensuring efficiency and sustainability. As we witness the marvel of drone technology, we eagerly anticipate extending this service further, with plans to cover additional pin codes in subsequent stages with our partners.”

With a rich legacy spanning over four decades, Blue Dart has set the standard for reliability, resilience, and responsiveness in the express logistics industry. The successful initiation of drone delivery operations further solidifies Blue Dart’s position as an industry leader, reaffirming its commitment to continuous innovation and top-notch service.

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INDIA: Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) today announced that Dhaksha Unmanned Systems (Dhaksha), a leading Indian innovator in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technology, has adopted Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform to accelerate the development of next-generation autonomous and semi-autonomous drones.

Dhaksha is leveraging the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, including its SIMULIA software applications, to design and develop a comprehensive range of UAS solutions for agriculture, defense, surveillance, and delivery applications. The platform fosters collaboration through efficient design workflows, revision management, and real-time access to the latest design data. Dhaksha is harnessing the combined capabilities of modeling and simulation through the deployment of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

The integration of modeling and simulation is a powerful tool that can significantly reduce the time and cost associated with physical prototyping. It allows engineers to experience every aspect of their designs virtually, enabling concurrent performance checks and refinements, which ultimately leads to better and more efficient product development. This integrated approach also helps to break down silos and fosters collaboration across different disciplines and regions.

Additionally, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, with its SIMULIA software applications, facilitates the thorough analysis and optimization of drone performance, leading to superior functionality and efficiency. Furthermore, collaborative design workflows and centralized data management within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform boost team productivity and resource utilization.

“Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform has been a game-changer for Dhaksha Unmanned Systems. The platform has streamlined our design processes, enabling us to develop innovative and efficient drones at an accelerated pace. Its collaborative environment and powerful simulation applications empower our team to optimize drone performance for various applications, ensuring superior functionality across the board. EDS Technologies has been a valuable partner with its seamless and impeccable implementation and never-ending support,” said Ramanathan Narayanan, CEO, of Dhaksha Unmanned Systems.

“At Dassault Systèmes, we are committed to empowering innovation that transforms industries. Our collaboration with Dhaksha Unmanned Systems exemplifies this vision. By providing it with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, we are equipping Dhaksha to develop next-generation drones faster and more efficiently. This will not only solidify their position in the Indian drone market but also propel the industry forward,” said Deepak NG, Managing Director, India, Dassault Systèmes.

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MUMBAI Drone Destination India’s leading Drone-as-a-Service provider and the largest DGCA certified Drone Pilot Training company, today announced the signing of an MOA with IFFCO to collaborate for drone spray over an area of upto 30 lakh acres.

As part of the MoA, Drone Destination will undertake drone spray in 12 states across the country. These states include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttrakhand. The drones will be spraying IFFCO Nano Urea, Nano DAP, Sagarika, IFFCO MC Agro-Chemicals, and other IFFCO & IFFCO JV’s Agri-Products, to enhance agricultural productivity and efficiency. Other benefits under the MOA include opportunities for the sale of IFFCO agri-inputs/products for drone spray.

Commenting on the business win, Alok Sharma, Chairman, of Drone Destination,n said – “We are elated to partner with the world’s top cooperative IFFCO for transforming Indian agriculture. Drones have a wide range of applications and their influence on agriculture, which is basic to human survival is revolutionary. Drones will bring efficiency, scalability, cost competitiveness, and speed to agricultural practices in India, enabling the sector to increase its contribution to GDP. As a leading player, spearheading the adoption of drones across multiple sectors, this is an important milestone for us in the journey towards drone adoption in the country.”

Chirag Sharma, MD & CEO of Drone Destination added – “We thank IFFCO for choosing us and showing faith in our capabilities for implementing large-scale drone projects. This mandate will surely cement our position in the industry as the go-to company for executing large-scale drone projects in the country.”

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• The sport is led globally by FIDA – ‘Federation of International Drone Soccer Association’ on the lines of FIFA
• The Drone Soccer Association of India (DSAI) is a founding member of FIDA. It has exclusive rights to Drone Soccer in India and is also responsible for conducting national and international leagues, competitions, etc. DSAI will also send India’s first team to the Drone Soccer World Cup in Korea in 2025
• ‘Drone Destination,’ a leading name in the Indian Drone Industry, has the exclusive training, sales, and marketing rights from DSAI
• The association marks Drone Destination’s foray into Drone Sports. It is responsible for conducting various training programs for Drone Soccer and setting up Drone Soccer arenas and academies in the country (Watch the launch ceremony here)

NEW DELHI: In a groundbreaking development, Drone Soccer made its official debut in India. Combining the thrill of aerial robotics with the competitive spirit of soccer, this innovative sport promises to revolutionize the landscape of recreational and professional gaming alike.

Drone Soccer, pioneered by leading technologists and sports enthusiasts, introduces a dynamic blend of agility, strategy, and excitement. Players maneuver FIDA-approved drone soccer balls, aiming to score goals while engaging in thrilling aerial maneuvers. With its fast-paced gameplay and accessibility, Drone Soccer is a new hybrid sport that appeals to a wide spectrum of age groups (06 years – 75 years), including both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike.

The Federation of International Drone Soccer Associations (FIDA), akin to FIFA in the realm of traditional soccer, stands as the premier global authority for propelling Drone Soccer onto the world stage. With over 20 member countries under its wing, FIDA spearheads the promotion and regulation of Drone Soccer across continents. Notably, it holds the distinguished honor of hosting the inaugural Drone Soccer World Cup in 2025, set to take place in Korea in an exclusive stadium built just for Drone Soccer.

In India, the Drone Soccer Association India (DSAI) emerges as a pivotal founding member of FIDA. Endowed with exclusive rights to govern and organize drone soccer activities within the nation, DSAI shoulders the responsibility of orchestrating national and international leagues, and tournaments and selecting and sending the Indian team to compete in the upcoming World Cup.

Serving as the training, sales & marketing backbone for DSAI, Drone Destination is tasked with facilitating various training programs dedicated to honing drone soccer skills and setting up drone soccer arenas and academies, as well as managing the sales and marketing endeavors for drone soccer equipment. Drone Destination plays a vital role in fostering the growth and development of Drone Soccer in India and officially marks its entry into Drone Sports.

Commenting on the launch of Drone Soccer in India, FIDA Director Suh Moon, said – “FIDA will help India, build a strong Drone Soccer Ecosystem. With India’s vast tech-oriented base of youngsters, we are confident that the sport will appeal to the audiences and contribute to the popularity of Drone Soccer globally.’

To mark its formal entry into India, players from Korea and India exhibited a friendly match that took place in Delhi, organized by Drone Destination, in the presence of FIDA & DSAI officials.  The Indian team, comprising talented drone soccer players, will go through rigorous training to hone their skills. Drone Destination, an end-to-end player present across the entire ecosystem of drones in India, is committed to making them future-ready.

Alok Sharma, Chairman, of Drone Soccer Association India said –“As India makes its mark on the global stage of drone soccer, we’re entering an era where technology, education, and sports converge to create exhilarating experiences. We are gearing up to organize and host the country’s first Indian Drone Soccer League in November 2024. DSAI will organize championships at school/college, club level, and professional Drone Soccer Leagues. DSAI will also send the Indian Team for FIDA’s inaugural Drone Soccer World Cup to be held in Korea in 2025.”

Chirag Sharma, CEO, of Drone Destination said- “Drone Soccer is a revolutionary, hybrid e-sport, that shall play a pivotal role in the burgeoning e-gaming industry, and encourage the youth to take a break from screens and enjoy the thrill of this new tech. Besides professionally excelling in the arena of sports, their skills in maneuvering drones can make them sought after for a variety of drone applications in the industry. At Drone Destination, we are happy to provide new recreational and career options in sports as well as in the industry.”

Nidhi Sharma, National Coordinator, DSAI said – “We are thrilled to introduce Drone Soccer to India, a nation renowned for its passion for both sports and technology, this fusion of drones and soccer represents a new frontier in recreational gaming, and we are excited to witness the enthusiasm it generates among players and spectators alike.”

Drone Soccer blends technology, sport, and entertainment. Pilots control specially designed football-shaped drones adorned with LED lights in team colors. Maneuvering through a doughnut-shaped goalpost 3.5 meters above the ground, teams of five compete, with one striker aiming to score goals while others play defensively. Since its 2016 inception in Korea, Drone Soccer has gained global popularity, particularly among young enthusiasts in the United States and South Korea. With FIDA boasting twenty member countries and more joining soon, the stage is set for India’s inaugural entry into this futuristic sport.

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HYDERABAD: Coromandel International Limited (BSE: 506395, NSE: COROMANDEL), India’s leading Agri solutions provider in the business of Fertilisers, Crop Protection Chemicals, Bioproducts, Specialty Nutrients, Organic Fertilizer and Retail, today announced its milestone of clocking 16,000+ acres of farmland covered through its Gromor Drive – an agri drone spraying initiative.

As a company that recognizes the transformative potential of drones in agriculture, Coromandel International Limited launched its Gromor Drive in 2022 with a mission to provide cutting-edge drone spraying services to Indian farmers. The Gromor Drive aims to alleviate the challenges faced by farmers across the country, delivering superior results while prioritizing farmer safety and environmental sustainability. Since its inception, the innovative service has covered farmlands across Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana State (TS), serving as a game-changer for farmers offering unparalleled precision spraying, cutting down labor, time, and water usage, and enhancing crop yields.

Gromor Drive’s widespread adoption underscores its efficacy in addressing the unique needs of diverse crops such as paddy, tobacco, chili, cotton, sugarcane, and pulses, in their farming practices.

Announcing the milestone, Sankarasubramanian S, Executive Director, Nutrient Business, Coromandel International Limited, said, “In line with our vision to enhance farmer prosperity and to end to the drudgery of their hard labor, Coromandel had initiated the Gromor Drive. Today, Gromor Drive has revolutionized the Indian agriculture landscape and it gives us immense happiness to share that we have crossed 16,000+acres of drone spraying in key southern states of AP and TS, making Coromandel the first fertilizer company to achieve such a significant milestone. It is heartening to know that the farmers across regions have quickly adapted to this technology and our services, evident from the overwhelming response across crop categories we received.”

“Through our understanding of farmer needs coupled with strong rural connect, we are rightly positioned to provide drone spraying services to the farming community across geographies. From reducing labor dependency to enhancing crop quality, Gromor Drive has emerged as a trusted ally for farmers striving for sustainable agricultural practices. We continue working towards extending Gromor Drive’s footprint across the country. Our company is now also working towards the empowerment of the rural women, by providing agri-drone Pilot training and Drones to women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s initiative Namo Drone Didi,” he added.

In this dynamic era of precision agriculture, drones have emerged as a beacon of hope for Indian agriculture. These Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), armed with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and remote sensing capabilities can provide real-time data on crop health, soil conditions, and pest infestations. As per studies, drone technology is recorded to offer a remarkable efficiency boost for agriculture spraying services, covering up to 30 acres per day, while reducing water consumption by a staggering 90%.

Sharing his testimonial on how he benefitted from Gromor Drive, Rajesh Kumar, a farmer from Andhra Pradesh, said, “Earlier, I used to spend hours manually spraying fertilizers on my crops, but with Coromandel Gromor Drive I can cover more acres in less time, minimum water consumption along with savings on labor costs.”

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These were some of the key points that emerged out of deliberations on the second day of the Asia Economic Dialogue (AED), the annual three-day geoeconomics conference organized jointly by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Pune International Centre (PIC), from February 29, 2024.

The theme is ‘Geo-economic Challenges in an Era of Flux’. 

Other points that emerged at the conference included: 

India’s soft power was previously in yoga, ayurveda, Bollywood, etcetera, and now digital technology will be added.  IT industry in India is expected to double in size by 2030 to $5bn and is projected to become 10% of GDP. Winners of the Third Globalisation are the developed countries. 

With 46 speakers from 11 countries participating in the 12 sessions over three days at the international conference, day two witnessed insightful discussions on pressing economic matters facing Asia and the world at large. 

Sessions on ‘Generative AI: Impact on Organisations and Society’; a conversation on ‘India’s Role in Information Technology and Digital Diplomacy’; ‘The Third Globalisation’; ‘The Future Automobile and Future Fuels’; ‘Drones: Revolutionising the Future?; and ‘India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor’ were held on Friday.

The session on ‘Generative AI: Impact on Organisations and Society’ was chaired by Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, Executive Chairman and Founder, of 5F World. The panelists were Rajesh Nambiar, Executive Vice President, Chairman and Managing Director, Cognizant India; Dr. Rohini Srivathsa, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft India and South Asia; Nitin Chugh, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Digital Banking and Transformation; and Jeff Walters, Managing Director and Senior Partner, The Boston Consulting Group. 

Dr. Natarajan predicted new multimodal chatbots, a whole lot of startups, multitasking for robots, text-to-video, and AI film festivals. He said AI videos are here whether for good or for bad and people like him were optimists, or “dangerous optimists, as Dr. R A Mashelkar says.

Panellist Rajesh Nambiar, Executive Vice President, Chairman, and Managing Director, of Cognizant India, said there is a role reversal so far as humans were trying to understand computers but now computers are trying to understand humans. He said the potential impact of AI on GDP will be 2.5 to 2.6 trillion. AI, he said, is an equalizer as its benefits are higher where the capabilities are lower, and can lead to higher productivity. He said that in the short run, the impact of generative AI is overhyped, but in the long run it is under-hyped. He said it can impact white-collar jobs, particularly where people use brains, such as statisticians and in equity calculations. 

Panellist Dr. Rohini Srivathsa, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft India and South Asia, highlighted key aspects of generative AI’s impact on organizations and society. One is the changing nature of work after the pandemic, where paradigms of work and personal lives have changed, as dimensions of time and space regarding work have undergone a shift and AI has introduced a third dimension. Second, concerning previous tech innovations, AI is not new; generative AI is just one new technology and it’s not going to be the last innovation. Third, generative AI combines the functions of an intelligent agent and a reasoning agent to effectively function as a co-pilot. She said AI needs to be assessed in three orders – first is assistive; second is augmentation such as where AI can help a school teacher create interesting lesson plans; and third is autonomous.  She said AI is changing the nature of jobs as business models are changing for effective adoption of AI and creating new revenue streams. She said AI has impacts on education, healthcare, and the judiciary. 

Nitin Chugh, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Digital Banking and Transformation, said by nature generative AI is transformational and will change geopolitical dynamics. It holds the potential to cause a divide between data haves and have-nots. The West, he said, has more availability of public data, whereas India has a mix of personal and public data. The financial services and banking sector has advantages and challenges for the adoption of generative AI. However, there is a need to bring about an ethical and responsible framework for the adoption of AI. One of the most crucial aspects regarding generative AI, he said, is to make it inclusive so it becomes an equalizer and facilitator of a level playing field. Otherwise, some will disproportionately benefit from it. He said there is scope for changes in governance frameworks and these need to be designed with customer protection at the centre. 

Jeff Walters, Managing Director and Senior Partner, The Boston Consulting Group, said one characteristic of companies using AI is that leaders are using it faster. He said the function of AI is like a “co-pilot” and it can be used to reshape business such as through better customer engagement. 

A conversation on ‘India’s Role in Information Technology and Digital Diplomacy’ featured Kiran Karnik, Chairman, of Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, and Dinanath Kholkar, Independent Advisor and Former Senior Vice President and Global Head of Partner Ecosystems and Alliances of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). 

Dinanath Kholkar, Independent Advisor and Former Senior Vice President and Global Head of Partner Ecosystems and Alliances of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), said there is a mismatch in demand and supply for jobs in cyber security, and at present 3.5 million jobs are available in cyber security even as there are concerns regarding cyber security with a rise in cybercrimes. He said women rejoining the workforce after a career break can be trained to join in cyber security roles. Technological opportunities, he said, will create more jobs. Kholkar said the IT industry in India is expected to double in size by 2030 to $5 billion and is projected to become 10% of GDP. 

On the success of India’s IT industry, Kiran Karnik said India’s IT sector started late but the pioneers wanted to compete globally. Young Indians took it up as a challenge and worked on innovation in business models, and the government played a crucial role in supporting and creating a conducive ecosystem through policy frameworks. He said AI is a challenge at present and in the future and the IT industry will overcome it. He observed that the industry has a key role to play in the development of the education and IT industry, especially in R&D.

Kholkar said the banking sector has seen phenomenal payback with the application of AI. Technological advancements need to be supported with favorable ecosystems and policy implementation can enable faster adoption of tech innovations, he added. Data privacy, he observed, is crucial. He said MCCIA’s cyber security initiative in collaboration with the United States Consulate is the first-ever US-India Cyber Security Initiative to strengthen IT connections between the two countries and lead Pune City to become a cybersecurity hub. He said India’s soft power was previously in yoga, ayurveda, Bollywood, etcetera, and now digital technology will get added.  

The session on the topic ‘The Third Globalisation’ was chaired by Prof. Jyoti Chandiramani, Director, Symbiosis School of Economics, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Symbiosis International University. The panelists were Anniken Huitfeldt, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Norway; Rahul Bajoria, Chief Economist, Asia Pacific, Barclays Bank; Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh and Non-resident Fellow at Atlantic Council; and Prof. Lars-Hendrik Röller, Professor at the European School of Management and Technology, Berlin, and former Chief economic advisor to German Federal Chancellor Merkel, and former G7 and G20 Sherpa. 

‘The Third Globalisation’ session focused on the geo-economics paradox of the third globalization, where the winners are the developed countries and losers are the under-developed countries. 

Rahul Bajoria said globalization is a “normative” perspective and not an “idealistic” perspective. This makes developing countries like India go for FTAs and to abolish trade protectionist policies. He said the future of Indian industrialization depends on where it invests. 

Prof. Jyothi said that in the third globalization, there has been a geo-economic flux and a shift from the plurilateral regime to the multilateral regime.

Anniken Huitfeldt, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Norway, said that third globalization and the SDGs are more about security. 

Dr. Fahmida Khatun said the current world is at the end of the third globalization and the beginning of the fourth. She said globalization is a means to progress, not automatic, and should be more focused on the accumulation of wealth, advancement of technology, trade, and simplified financial transactions. She said challenges to globalization including inequality, and disparities between countries are growing rapidly. She said this will hurt developing countries in the long run. She said issues faced by the underdeveloped countries are that there is the least transfer of technology to the UDCs, and there is a lack of financial outsourcing and investments.

Prof. Lars-Hendrik Röller said the government must work together in the area of carbon emission regulations.

The session on ‘The Future Automobile and Future Fuels’ was chaired by Amit Paranjape, Co-founder of ReliScore. The panelists were Ramkripa Ananthan, Head of Design of Ola Electric; C V Raman, Chief Technology Officer, Suzuki India; and Yogesh Umbarkar, Vice President, Business Development, Valtech Mobility. 

On data protection, Amit Paranjape said data that cars capture is so a geopolitical issue. At a national level, it raises concerns regarding national security and at a personal level, it raises issues about privacy. Increasingly, there are challenges regarding the hacking of cars.

Ramkripa Ananthan suggested making EVs at the price of IC vehicles. She said the weightage of battery cost is the highest in the overall cost of the car. She said the solution to reduce these costs is to promote in-house technologies, select the right technologies, and improve the efficiency of the battery to reduce costs. There is a need to increase software to reduce dependence on hardware, she said. She said long-haul vehicles require a mix of three solutions– battery swapping, and portable batteries. and behavior change. Ramkripa said there was a need for talent in future technology at designing, manufacturing, and so on; not just knowledge but application of that knowledge; and also road safety.

C V Raman said there is a connection between economic development and mobility. He said sustainable mobility, energy security, and society are the three key aspects for determining the future of automobiles and fuels in India. Sustainable mobility, he said, will require customer focus, infrastructure development, and digitization. With the expected increase in per capita incomes, passenger vehicles are expected to grow at a rate of 5-6%, he said. He said energy security at present in India is dependent on fossil fuel imports, and as fossil fuel dominant energy grid has adverse impacts on the environment. He said there is a need to reduce emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2070. He said the question to be addressed for the future of mobility is “How can we move a billion people?” He listed solutions such as electric mobility, alternate fuels, gas-based mobility, waste-to-fuels, ethanol blending, and enhanced electrification. He said EVs are significantly heavier than their IC counterparts. There is a need to change the material in EVs. He said a key aspect of increased uptake of EVs is developing avenues for home charging. Space for parking also plays a crucial role. He said, “60% of India doesn’t have parking space”. He said hybrid vehicles present a better solution for the future of mobility and reduce C02 emissions. He said renewable energy in the energy mix needs to increase. He said all fuels will have a space in the future of automobiles and that hybrids will be a first vehicle and EVs will be a second vehicle.

Yogesh Umbarkar said the future of cars can be understood as pre-Covid and post-Covid. Pre-Covid was focused on autonomous, connected, electric, and ‘shared’; and post-Covid has shifted to autonomous, connected, electric, and ‘personal’. India is somewhere between “least autonomous” and fully autonomous. He said that with an increase in digital connectivity and the adoption of 5G networks, ‘personalized and connected’ features are becoming prominent in vehicles. A vehicle is getting transformed into a smartphone on four wheels. Increasingly, the experience of home, office, and lifestyle is getting connected with the vehicle. These aspects are shaping business models as well.  However, these are also raising issues of data privacy and protection.

The session on ‘Drones: Revolutionising the Future?’ was chaired by Anish Michael, Lead, Centre for Future Mobility, OMI Foundation. The panelists were Mark Yong, Co-founder and CEO of Garuda Robotics; Aniruddh Gupte, Founder and CEO of Podrones Logistics; and Sunil Jha of ideaForge. 

Mark Yong: Constraints – autonomy, energy, safety; Drones have to take care of themselves once they are out of sight from the pilot’s eyes; Today everything is based on batteries hence energy storage is important; Multiple levels of safety system is required; Airspace utilization – integrated national air space – unaccrued instead of unmanned; Commercial drones can be the future. 

Aniruddha Gupte: Drones will replace some humans in the delivery business; Policy suggestion for government – encourage drone engineers; embrace technological solutions to boost the economy.

Day 3 will have sessions on ‘Reimagining and Revitalising the World Trade Organization’; ‘Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET): Securing our Future’; and ‘Expanding Regional Connectivity: Towards a More Integrated South Asia’. The Chief Guest at the Valedictory Session will be R K Singh, Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy, GoI. It will be chaired by Dr. Vijay Kelkar, Vice President, of PIC, and Chairman of the 13th Finance Commission. 

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The drone-based spraying service aims to equip farmers with cutting-edge technology that enhances their agricultural practices and promotes sustainable resource usage while contributing to their economic well-being. The service reduces water wastage by 85-90% and product usage by 20-30%, making strides toward sustainable agriculture.

Under the initiative, FPOs will receive an assured incentive on each spraying order (acreage-wise), providing them with financial benefits and upliftment. The launch event witnessed the presence of key dignitaries who have significantly contributed to India’s agricultural progress, along with Salam Kisan’s special guides, including the COO, Agri-Operational Manager, and pioneering drone pilots.

Salam Kisan’s Founder & CEO, Dhanashree Mandhani, said, “At Salam Kisan, we’re committed to empowering rural communities toward resilience and sustainability, and collaborations between public and private entities will be pivotal in implementing change at the grass-roots level. We believe in PM Narendra Modi’s vision that FPOs are going to give great power to small farmers and that the coming together of Sarkar and Sahkaar will drive us to Viksit Bharat.”

The drone-based spraying service reduces input costs, increases efficiency, and ensures farmers’ safety. Salam Kisan’s visionary approach extends to strategic collaborations with women-led and tribal-led FPOs, empowering them with the necessary knowledge, tools, and resources to flourish within the agricultural ecosystem.

Salam Kisan is a rapidly growing data-driven agriculture ecosystem providing centralized solutions for stakeholders in the agriculture ecosystem. In just 7 months, they have catered to over 22k farmers across 7,000 villages in India.

The post Salam Kisan Launches First-of-its-Kind Drone-Based Spraying Service for Farmers in Maharashtra in Collaboration with FPOs appeared first on NRI News.