Introduction:
In recent years, the Indian drone industry has experienced a remarkable ascent, fueled by technological advancements, changing regulations, and a growing demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across various sectors. This blog explores the burgeoning drone startup ecosystem in India, delving into the usage of drones, latest trends, advancements, and the significant role played by artificial intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing industries.
The Evolution of Drones in India
Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), have transcended their military origins to become versatile tools with myriad applications. In India, their adoption has been accelerated by factors such as decreasing hardware costs, improved battery technology, and the advent of sophisticated sensors and cameras. This has paved the way for startups to explore innovative use cases and disrupt conventional practices.
As per Statista in India, Drones segment revenue amounts to $23.62 million in 2023. The market will show a CAGR of 8.2% from 2023-2027. And the drone volume is expected to amount to 100,000 pieces by 2027.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has witnessed a significant increase in the issuance of drone operator permits, showcasing the growing adoption of drones for commercial purposes.
Drones are of major use in different sectors
- Agriculture: Drones equipped with sensors and cameras are being used for precision agriculture, enabling farmers to monitor crop health, assess field conditions, and optimize resource usage.
- Infrastructure Inspection: Drones are employed for inspecting critical infrastructure such as power lines, pipelines, and bridges, providing a cost-effective and safer alternative to traditional inspection methods.
- Disaster Management: During natural disasters, drones aid in assessing damage, delivering supplies to remote areas, and supporting search and rescue operations.
- Surveillance and Security: Drones enhance surveillance capabilities for law enforcement agencies, border security, and private enterprises, improving monitoring and response times.
- E-commerce and Logistics: Some startups are exploring the use of drones for last-mile delivery, reducing delivery times and costs.
5 Drone Startups in India
The Indian government has actively promoted the growth of the drone industry, unveiling a specialized policy that prioritizes domestic manufacturing and advocates for the widespread adoption of drones-as-a-service in vital sectors like healthcare, agriculture, logistics & warehousing, e-commerce, oil & mining, and defence. In February 2022, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced “Drone Shakti,” a visionary mission aimed at establishing the country as a drone hub by 2030. Let’s delve into 5 top drone start-ups of India:
1. Assert AI:
Founders: Nitin Jain, Job Philip, & Shalabh
Year: 2019
Location: Mumbai
Industry: Logistics, Surveillance, Security
Key Features & Impact: Assert AI revolutionizes the landscape of drone-based solutions by seamlessly integrating cutting-edge AI and ML technologies with advanced camera and sensor capabilities. Its state-of-the-art vision-based technology empowers companies to monitor infrastructure projects with unprecedented precision, while providing authorities the means to elevate their surveillance capabilities.
A crowning achievement for Assert AI is the introduction of Falcon, India’s premier AI vision drone, setting new benchmarks in the logistics and warehousing sector. Beyond its primary applications in perimeter security, inspection, and surveillance, our technology showcases remarkable versatility. It excels in detecting spillages, leaks, and damages, while also serving a pivotal role in conducting comprehensive inventory analytics and optimizing intra-logistics operations.
Recognitions & Awards:
- Falcon became India’s first AI vision drone with patented technology.
- Patent received- ‘SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING INVENTORY INSIDE WAREHOUSE WITH PUT-AWAY ACCURACY USING MACHINE LEARNING MODELS’
- Most Promising AI Startup Award by Leadership Excellence Awards 2022.
- Also Most Promising AI Startup Award by India Achievers Awards 2022.
2. Marut Drones:
Founders: Prem Kumar Vislawath, Suraj Peddi, and Nikhil Upadhye
Year: 2019
Location: Hyderbad
Industry: Agriculture, Infrastructure, and Surveillance
Key Features & Impact: Marut Drones specializes in providing end-to-end drone solutions for agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and surveillance. The company’s flagship product, the Agni drone series, is designed for precision agriculture, offering farmers valuable insights into crop health, soil conditions, and pest infestations.
Marut Drones is contributing significantly to the transformation of Indian agriculture by empowering farmers with data-driven decision-making tools. The company’s commitment to sustainable farming practices is aligning with India’s agricultural modernization goals.
Recognitions & Awards:
- AG 365S of Marut Dron’s became India’s 1st Multi utility DGCA certified agri drone
- Best Startup Bronze at ‘Telangana’s State Industry Awards 2022’
- TGS100 Award for Top 100 emerging startups
3. Quidich Innovations Labs:
Founders: Rahat Kulshreshtha, Gaurav Mehta, and Nitin Gupta
Year: 2013
Location: Mumbai
Industry: Media and Entertainment, Sports
Key Features & Impact: Quidich’s drones are equipped with high-end cameras and stabilization systems, offering breathtaking aerial footage for films, television shows, and live events. The company’s expertise extends to capturing dynamic shots in challenging environments, showcasing the versatility of drone technology in the entertainment sector.
Quidich Innovations Labs has revolutionized the way visual content is produced, bringing a new dimension to storytelling through innovative aerial cinematography. The company’s contributions to the media industry underscore the transformative potential of drones in creative fields.
Recognitions & Awards:
- Recognised for Deployment of HyperView for sky sports during Ashes 2023.
- Nominated in the category of ‘Best use of Data & Insights in a sports broadcast’ in Broadcast spoerts award 2023.
- Shortlisted for the Broadcast Tech Innovation Awards 2023 for category ‘ Stand Out Tech of the year (Production).
4. Garuda Aerospace:
Founders: Agnishwar Jayaprakash, and Mrs. Rithika
Year: 2015
Location: Chennai
Industry: Agriculture, Disaster Management, Surveillance
Key Features & Impact: At the forefront of innovative drone technology, Garuda Aerospace is a distinguished specialist in tailored solutions for agriculture, disaster management, and surveillance. Equipped with cutting-edge thermal imaging and AI capabilities, their drones redefine efficiency in crop monitoring, disaster response, and surveillance operations. Beyond hardware, Garuda offers cost-effective, comprehensive solutions complemented by sophisticated software and analytics tools.
The company has garnered acclaim through strategic collaborations, exemplified by their partnership with the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) to pioneer an anti-drone system, solidifying their position as industry leaders in transformative drone solutions. Garuda Aerospace inaugurated the initial installment of its envisioned 1,000 drone centers of excellence dedicated to fostering drone skilling across the entirety of India.
Recognitions & Awards:
- Authorized for Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) by The Director General of Civil Aviation(DGCA).
- First NDRF Award for Bravery 2022.
- Raised $22 Million in funding led by SphituCap in February 2023.
5. Ideaforge:
Founders: Ankit Mehta, Ashish Bhat, Rahul Singh, and Vipul Joshi
Year: 2007
Location: Mumbai
Industry: Defense, Surveillance, Security
Key Features & Impact: ideaForge’s drones are known for their ruggedness and adaptability to challenging environments. The company’s flagship product, the NETRA series, is designed for surveillance, reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue operations. ideaForge’s drones have been adopted by defense and security forces for their reliability and advanced capabilities.
The contribution of ideaForge to India’s defense and security infrastructure is significant. The company’s drones play a crucial role in enhancing situational awareness, border surveillance, and disaster response capabilities, contributing to national security.
Recognitions & Awards:
- Ranked 7th globally in the dual-use category for drone manufacturers by Drone Industry Insights in December 2022.
- Disrupter of the year award at The India Business Leader awards (IBLA).
Latest Trends and Advancements:
The drone industry is dynamic, with constant technological innovations and emerging trends. Some of the latest trends and advancements include:
- BVLOS Operations: Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations are becoming more prevalent, expanding the range and capabilities of drones for various applications.
- Swarming Technology: Drones equipped with swarming capabilities are being developed, enabling coordinated and synchronized movements for enhanced efficiency and scalability.
- AI and Machine Learning: Integration of AI and machine learning algorithms in drones allows for autonomous decision-making, advanced navigation, and real-time data analysis.
- Edge Computing: Edge computing on drones facilitates faster data processing, reducing latency and enabling real-time applications such as object recognition and tracking.
- Hybrid VTOL Drones: Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) drones with hybrid capabilities, combining fixed-wing and multirotor designs, are gaining popularity for their versatility.
Conclusion:
The drone startup landscape in India is thriving, driven by technological advancements, favorable regulatory changes, and a growing demand for innovative solutions across sectors. As AI continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing drone capabilities, the future looks promising for the Indian drone industry. With ongoing developments, it’s clear that the sky’s the limit for the potential applications and impact of drones in the country.