Highlights
- Scientists are confident of having the first prototype by December 2019.
- BEL has started putting together preliminary requirements for design and implementation.
- The project has already conducted training programmes to build competency in AI.
Scientists have been quietly working on (AI)-enabled robots that may eventually patrol the country’s borders.
AI will change how some critical operations are conducted by the armed forces.
Our robot will even been able to patrol the borders.
The prototype of this robot, along with a few other AI-enabled products from BEL will be ready this year. There has been no specific requirements from the armed forces sent to BEL so far.
Globally, companies like Irobot Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Mitsubishi, Thales Group, BAE Systems, General Dynamics Corporation, et al, have been working on first responder border patrol robots. Korea has been building completely different kind of robots—some reports describe them as machines inspired by the Avatar movie.
“Future wars will not be fought on conventional basis…AI-enabled products will aid decision-making. Robots can save lives of soldiers deployed for border surveillance. The Centre is making efforts to ensure that martyr families are provided a compensation of not less than Rs 1 crore.
AI will involve lot of design complexities. There are a lot of challenges to overcome, including collection of raw data.
The biggest challenge will be to have a machine that can self-learn given that there is no availability of raw data. “Raw data needed for such products is massive. Once that is in place, we can customise algorithms to get the robot to perform very specific tasks.
The BEL robot will be equipped with sensors and programmed to communicate with control centre.
The estimated cost of each of these robots are Rs 70 lakh and Rs 80 lakh per unit for small orders.
Source : Defence News India
