In championing drone innovation, the Indian government mandates robust cybersecurity measures, push for innovation, and a future dominated by these aerial marvels.
In recent times, if one technology has been buzzing loudly, literally and figuratively, it’s drones. Drone’s story is one of rapid evolution, from a tool predominantly considered a toy to a technology revolutionising the entire industry. Before delving deep, watch the Drone Federation of India (DFI). Representing a massive 2000 drone pilots, 20 service providers, a handful of manufacturers, and several training schools nationwide, the DFI isn’t just about numbers. Their commitment is robust; working hand in hand with the government, their aim is precise—foster policies that propel the drone ecosystem in India. It’s about flying high and aiming higher. The overarching ambition isn’t merely to master drone services but to develop top-tier drone technology. This ensures that India doesn’t just consume drones but designs, manufactures, and exports them, creating a footprint in the global arena.
The Drone Narrative: Not Just Flying Cameras
The layperson’s perspective of drones might be that of flying cameras or toy aircraft, but the scope is incredibly vast. Drones, by definition, are aircraft capable of operating without a pilot on board. This means that from tiny toy drones to large drones that can ferry humans, they all fall under the same umbrella. One might associate drones with photography, surveillance, or agriculture. However, the applications are limitless. Hollywood has shown us drones that chase cars in high-octane sequences, but did you know the world is inching towards drone taxis? Venturing beyond India’s boundaries, the drone narrative becomes even more captivating. US-based firms have successfully dispatched over 400,000 critical medicines and vaccines in Africa using drones. Giants like Google are now leveraging drones for e-commerce parcel deliveries.
But here’s the kicker—drone taxis aren’t a distant dream. Chinese tech mogul EHang has already crafted air taxis. These aren’t mere prototypes but production-ready vehicles. Just punch in your location, hop on, and off you go on a thrilling, autonomous aerial adventure. And if that doesn’t pique your curiosity, NASA’s drone flight on Mars surely will. The drone era isn’t confined to our planet; it’s venturing into the vast cosmic frontiers.
Drones are more than just buzzing devices. They’re a testament to human innovation, bridging gaps and creating industry opportunities. As the world soars into this new age of drone technology, India, with its burgeoning drone ecosystem, is poised to be a significant player in this aerial symphony. The sky is merely the beginning. The drone’s story isn’t just about fancy gadgets zipping across the sky; it’s about a technological revolution radically transforming India’s defence, agriculture, healthcare, and countless other sectors.
| Drone propulsion: Why not ducted fans? |
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Despite diverse applications, most drones use open propellers for propulsion. This raises the question: Why aren’t alternatives like ducted fans, similar to jet engines, more prevalent, especially considering the risks of open propellers? Let’s explore the core reasons. Safety and efficiency. Safety and efficiency are vital in drone technology. While ducted fans may seem safer, they are only sometimes the most efficient, as evidenced by their absence in helicopters. The commercial drone industry has robust safety features to address failures, allowing recovery or shutting down the drone to prevent ongoing risks. Exploring new designs. Innovation remains open-ended. While open-propeller drones are prevalent, alternative designs, like electric ducted fans with potential power lift benefits, are being explored. Any new technology needs thorough testing before broad adoption. Innovators need to collaborate with top companies to validate new design efficiencies. In conclusion, while the drone industry predominantly features open-propeller drones, ducted fans still hold potential, especially for high-speed or safety-critical scenarios, and it’s not for lack of consideration for other technologies. Balancing efficiency with safety is crucial. As technology advances, overcoming challenges like efficiency and weight becomes possible. Encouraging innovation and collaboration could see ducted fans play a more significant role in future drone developments. |
An Innovation Transforming Industries
The first image that comes to mind might be colossal drones—almost mirroring fighter jets, with an impressive range extending over 500 kilometres. They soar at altitudes rivalling commercial jets. But drones aren’t limited to military use. The range of applications is vast, from micro-surveillance drones that aid soldiers in reconnaissance missions to sophisticated drones that can launch missile-like munitions. Yet, move past the defence realm, and drones take on new roles. For instance, imagine the scenario in agriculture where drone technology replaces traditional pesticide spraying. Instead of manual labourers toiling in fields, exposing themselves to harmful chemicals, a drone achieves the same in a fraction of the time, with considerable efficiency, and without human exposure. They have numerous applications:
Healthcare. Delivering essential medicines and vaccines to remote areas.
E-commerce. Companies like Google and Bing are exploring drone deliveries.
Transportation. Drone taxis, developed by companies like EHang, are becoming a reality. By the way, they have built more than 30 such air taxis.
Defence. Drones, varying in size from toy-like to fighter jet proportions, offer from surveillance to offensive capabilities. Some can cover 500km without refuelling, flying as high as commercial airlines. While applicable in military and disaster situations, they also have high-end applications in healthcare and agriculture. Some, resembling missile launchers, deploy up to 50 drones to target and destroy locations. Their price, often over three million rupees, suggests a lucrative market.
Agriculture. Drones are utilised for crop health assessment and pesticide and fertiliser application, and in environmental and forestry sectors for wildlife monitoring, forest conservation, mapping, and designing water catchment areas. In agriculture, labourers traditionally spray pesticides using 200 litres of water for an acre, taking two hours and risking chemical exposure. Drones streamline this, using only 10 litres of water and less pesticide to cover an acre in ten minutes, ensuring the operator’s safety, conserving resources, and reducing labour needs.
Military. Drones in logistics are revolutionising mid-mile deliveries, carrying 40-50kg of cargo between hubs. The Indian army is adopting drones for high-altitude deliveries, reducing dependence on helicopters, which face weight and air density challenges. Drones can double the payload by making helicopters autonomous and removing unnecessary equipment. This innovation highlights drones’ potential in defence logistics and cargo.
Mining. Drones offer a safer and more efficient way to conduct mine audits. Mining audits traditionally halt operations for two days, using manual surveyors who navigate risky terrains and record data on paper, which can be error prone. Drones, however, can survey the same area within a lunch break, capturing high-resolution photos to create a 3D digital model of the mine. This model offers precise measurements and, because data is geotagged, it’s resistant to tampering, showcasing drones as a game-changer for mining audits.
Renewable energy. For renewable energy, windmills and solar parks often rely on IoT sensors or robots for maintenance. Traditionally, inspecting windmills required personnel to climb and examine the blades, risking safety. Drones can perform these inspections quickly, safely, and with higher accuracy due to advanced camera technology, offering more insights than manual methods.
The market potential of the drone industry is depicted in Fig. 1.
From meticulous mapping of rural lands to aiding in maintaining renewable energy sources, drones are at the forefront of technological transformation. Drones are revolutionising data capture and analysis. Across India’s 660,000 villages, drones record high-resolution imagery to create accurate land records. Traditionally, many village properties had unclear records, leading to disputes and encroachments. Drones provide precise digital land records, enabling landowners to leverage their property as a financial asset. This technology has a market potential of over 500 billion, spanning component and drone manufacturing, drone services, training, and software development. It opens doors for businesses in these sectors and can generate over 100,000 direct jobs, especially for drone pilots. And this isn’t just about fancy flight manoeuvres; it’s about data. High-resolution imagery, exact geographical mapping, creating digital twins, and providing analytical insights are where drones are changing the game.
A Push From The Government
The journey of drone regulation in India has seen its ups and downs. It started with a blanket ban in 2014, primarily due to safety and security concerns. However, by 2021, after multiple revisions, Indian government unveiled a set of regulations that favoured the industry. A straightforward process was implemented, emphasising safety, security, and accountability. The new policies have made it as simple as launching a software startup. With benefits such as financial incentives and an emphasis on local production, India’s stance is clear—to create, innovate, and lead the drone revolution for local markets and the world. The government recognised the potential benefits and, in subsequent years, introduced policies to facilitate the drone industry’s growth. These policies have focused on promoting intellectual property development, manufacturing, and exports. By easing regulations, providing financial incentives, and putting a hold on importing foreign drones, the government has created a conducive environment for Indian drone companies to thrive.
Recent government initiatives on drones:
- Drone policy liberalised via Drone Rules 2021
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme with 20% financial incentive
- Unmanned traffic management (UTM) policy framework published
- Pilot projects conducted across India for agriculture, healthcare, defence, etc
- SOP for spraying of pesticides & nutrients launched by the Ministry of Agriculture
- Subsidy announced by the Ministry of Agriculture for Kisan drones
- 100 Kisan drones launched by Prime Minister of India to promote the use of drones
- 1000-drone light show performed on Rashtrapati Bhawan
- DroneShakti Mission announced by India’s Finance Minister
- Import ban on drones and knocked-down kits to promote domestic manufacturing
The Central government’s vision is to make India a global hub for drones by 2030.
Drone Rules 2021 Framework
The Drone Rules 2021 in India are structured around several crucial pillars to nurture a thriving drone ecosystem. Firstly, they prioritise simplifying the business environment for drone-related activities, reducing bureaucratic barriers and fostering innovation. Secondly, these rules promote the domestic drone industry by prohibiting certain imports, bolstering local manufacturing, and enhancing national self-reliance in drone technology. Additionally, the rules incorporate financial incentives through the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, encouraging local drone production and generating employment opportunities. Lastly, the government plays a pivotal role as a drone market participant, supporting the industry and demonstrating its commitment to integrating drone technology into critical sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, and public safety. The Drone Rules 2021 in India aim to facilitate business, boost the domestic drone industry, offer financial incentives, and establish the government as a critical driver in advancing drone technology adoption nationwide. It is depicted in Fig. 2.
Drone Cybersecurity: India’s Path To Secure Skies
In the high-flying world of drones, the buzz isn’t just about their capability to soar, capture breathtaking views, or deliver packages with pinpoint accuracy. It’s also about ensuring these unmanned marvels are invulnerable to cyber threats. As India’s skies become increasingly crowded with drones, how equipped are we in the face of evolving cybersecurity challenges? While drones bring unprecedented opportunities, they are not without their vulnerabilities. The fear isn’t just about a drone falling out of the sky but the potential cyber-attacks on the vast troves of data they collect or malicious interference in their operation.
The concerns are valid, especially when considering the array of applications for drones, from military to civilian uses. Ensuring that drones and the data they collect remain secure is paramount. The Indian government, while championing the cause of drone innovation, is also taking active steps to ensure drone cybersecurity. The current drone-type certification scheme already mandates a series of security checks. This includes measures such as
Power on self-test (POST). Ensuring the integrity of drone systems each time they are powered on
Bootloader log requirements. Allowing only authenticated firmware to be loaded onto the drone systems
Password protection. Safeguarding unauthorised access to the drone’s operational controls
Tamper detection and protection. Putting mechanisms in place to identify and prevent unauthorised physical and digital interference with the drone
While these measures provide a foundation for cybersecurity, it’s evident that the current provisions are just the tip of the iceberg. The complex ecosystem of drone operations, from hardware and software to data transmission and storage, presents many entry points for potential cyber threats. However, the silver lining is the government’s proactive approach. Even at this nascent stage of drone integration into Indian skies, there’s a dedicated focus on software and hardware tamper-proofing in the certification scheme. Moreover, ongoing discussions and revisions indicate a commitment to upgrade and strengthen these cybersecurity measures continuously. Collaboration will be key. Engaging with global certification bodies, standardisation organisations, and cybersecurity experts will ensure India’s drones are technologically advanced and fortified against cyber threats.
While the future of drones in India promises to transform various sectors, this transformation must be underpinned by robust cybersecurity measures. As the Indian drone ecosystem continues to evolve, it’s evident that while we might not have all the answers yet, we are certainly asking the right questions.
| Understanding Drone Regulations In India |
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Navigating the skies with drones has become a popular endeavour worldwide. In India, this is no exception. However, as with every form of technology that occupies public space, there are guidelines and regulations to ensure safety and security. Decoding the zones:
Red zone. These zones represent the strictest areas for drone operations, often covering sensitive locations like military bases, defence areas, or other restricted areas. Just as one wouldn’t approach the Indian Prime Minister uninvited, flying drones in these zones without permission is forbidden. They are marked red to signal a ‘no-fly zone.’ Yellow zone. Zones near airports or areas with frequent aircraft operations pose dangers from drones to larger aircraft. Consider a drone obstructing a commercial jet’s path at Heathrow; the outcome could be disastrous. In these zones, drones need explicit permissions. A yellow zone is akin to visiting an office: not forbidden, but one must verify their intent and credentials before entry. Green zone. Here, the skies are most open to drone enthusiasts. Consider these as public roads in the sky, where drone pilots can operate freely, given that they respect general guidelines. Essentially, it’s akin to the free movement on a public road. To determine zone classifications, refer to the government’s Digital Sky platform, which is similar to Google Maps. While India encourages drone innovation, operators must understand these zones. Certifications and permissions aim to integrate drones safely into India’s airspace. |
The Future Is Unmanned
Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, are more than just the future; they’re the present. They represent a paradigm shift in viewing transportation, warfare, surveillance, and many other applications. The industry is booming, with over 400 companies in India now involved in drone component manufacturing and assembly. The potential is evident, with drones expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of various sectors.
The drone industry is thriving in India. The data is shown in Fig. 3.
Drones offer a unique employment opportunity in India. Traditional skills often require months of training, but drones only need a 10th-grade education, basic English proficiency, and five-day training. This training can lead to jobs with handsome salaries. Many drone pilots earn even more, with some reaching salaries comparable to airlines pilots. The drone industry is rapidly growing, with over 400 companies now involved in component manufacturing and assembly, especially in agriculture, healthcare, and survey mapping. This growth, especially noticeable in the past year, showcases drones’ potential for job creation.
It’s an exciting time to be part of the drone ecosystem in India, whether as a manufacturer, investor, or enthusiast. As the world moves towards more autonomous solutions, drones will undoubtedly be at the helm, leading the way. So, here’s to soaring high, with eyes in the sky, and embracing the future drones promise. The drone revolution in India is well underway. As these unmanned aerial vehicles continue to make inroads into various sectors, they’re proving to be more than just technological marvels. They’re tools of transformation, bringing efficiency, safety, and innovation. With the government’s support and industry growth, the sky’s the limit for drones in India.
The author, Smit Shah, is President, Drone Federation of India
This article is from a tech talk session at EFY Expo Delhi 2023 by Smit Shah, President Drone Federation of India. Transcribed and curated by Akanksha Sondhi Gaur, Research Analyst and Journalist at EFY.
