ISB Partners with IIIT-Delhi and DRIIV to Establish Centre for Aerial and Water Robotics

In collaboration with IIIT-Delhi and the DRIIV Foundation, the Indian School of Business’s Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP) is taking a giant step forward to drive innovation in technologies, aimed at addressing critical social development and sustainability challenges.

The trio - Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi (IIIT-Delhi), Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation Foundation (DRIIV)— the flagship programme of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP), has signed an MoU to establish a Centre of Excellence on Aerial and Water Robotics for Development and Sustainability (CoE-AWRDS).

Sharing details about the CoE, Prof. Ashwini Chhatre, Associate Professor and Executive Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with IIIT-D and DRIIV for this CoE on cutting-edge research in aerial and water robotics. We will be focussing on enhancing autonomy, sensing, and navigation capabilities. Further, our strategic partnerships with communities, academia, industry, government, and civil societies will lead the Centre to facilitate the comprehension of research outcomes into practical robotic solutions. These solutions will target diverse applications such as natural resource monitoring, measurement and management, disaster management, environmental monitoring, socio-economic sensing, agriculture optimisation, healthcare delivery in remote areas, and efficient infrastructure inspection.”

As part of the MoU, the Bharti Institute of Public Policy will provide its expertise in public policy, impact assessment, policy recommendations, and partnership facilitation.

Elaborating further on the MoU, Prof. Pankaj Vajpayee, Dean of Corporate Relations & Entrepreneurship and Director of IIITD Innovation & Incubation Center, IIIT Delhi, said, “One of the key aspects of our collaboration is the nurturing of the next generation of technology experts representing tribal and rural communities through comprehensive educational programmes and hands-on training opportunities. By becoming a global leader in aerial and water robotics research and innovation, the CoE-AWRDS aspires to generate new robotic platforms, sensors, and algorithms, ultimately stimulating economic growth in the robotics sector while addressing pressing societal and environmental needs.”

In agriculture, drones can assess crop health, monitor irrigation efficiency, and detect pests and diseases, contributing to zero hunger SDG. Similarly, for SDG 6 pertaining to clean water and sanitation, drones can survey water bodies, monitor pollution levels, and assess the effectiveness of sanitation interventions. In the context of sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), drones can map urban areas, monitor infrastructure, and assess disaster risks.

Drones also play a crucial role in monitoring deforestation, biodiversity loss, and wildlife populations, aligning with SDG 15 (life on land). Furthermore, drones facilitate the monitoring of SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) by inspecting solar panels and wind turbines, ensuring optimal energy production and distribution. The use of drone technology also aligns with SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure) by promoting technological advancements and fostering innovation in data collection and analysis methodologies.

Explaining the concept of the CoE, Shipra Misra, Managing Director & CEO, DRIIV Foundation, said, “The objective of the CoE is multi-layered, cutting across various domains. From enhanced environmental monitoring and conservation to improving disaster resilience and response, promoting sustainable agriculture and food security to enhancing access to healthcare and essential services, the CoE stands to empower communities and foster sustainable development.”

Drone technology and under-water robotics have emerged as transformative tools in monitoring and measuring key indicators of sustainable development goals (SDGs). As part of the collaboration, the Bharti Institute of Public Policy will jointly organise short-term capacity building and education programmes and workshops on drone technology and under-water robotics aligning with the objectives of CoE-AWRDS.