IIT Bhubaneswar researcher innovates unmanned boat and underwater drone

Yogesh G Bhumkar, a researcher from IIT Bhubaneswar, has gained national recognition for his innovative work. His creations, an unmanned boat known as a USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle) and an underwater drone called an AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle), were recently showcased at the Tri-Services Academia Technology Symposium, New Delhi. These innovations earned him an award from Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Bhumkar’s work is expected to benefit the Indian armed forces in the future. He explained that USVs and AUVs are employed for surveillance in oceans, seas, and coastal regions. USVs operate on the water’s surface, monitoring ship traffic, detecting illegal activities such as smuggling or unauthorised fishing, and transmitting real-time data to operators.AUVs function underwater and are valuable for covertly observing areas beneath the surface, such as identifying submarines or underwater mines. Together, these technologies enhance security and situational awareness in maritime environments without endangering human lives.Bhumkar, an associate professor at the School of Mechanical Sciences, IIT Bhubaneswar, said he has a startup focused on developing AUVs and USVs since 2022. “Given our extensive coastline and rivers, this technology is crucial for the country’s advancement. We have already conducted tests in the Daya river in Bhubaneswar and the Bay of Bengal. Our next step is to test it in Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh,” he said.Bhumkar’s USVs and AUVs were recognized and awarded as part of an ongoing research and development effort, with the Indian Army expressing interest in adopting the technology after further enhancements and testing.The symposium aimed to foster collaboration between academia and the armed forces to advance indigenous technologies. Research proposals and exhibits from various institutes and startups were evaluated by defence experts, with selected entries showcased and acknowledged during the event, said an official statement from IIT Bhubaneswar.