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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
DRDO develops minefield marking system for Indian Army to enable faster, semi-automated deployment
The Indian Army uses minefield marking as a critical activity to provide immediate warnings and visual signs near hazardous areas. This process, which involves placing pickets and tying ropes between them, establishes a physical barrier that distinguishes known danger zones from cleared areas. The task is currently supported by the Minefield Marking Equipment Mk-I, developed by R&DE (E). To enhance the speed and reduce human effort in this process, the Minefield Marking Equipment Mk-II has been developed. The upgraded system is designed for semi-automatic operation with minimal manual intervention. It is capable of marking minefields more efficiently and is suitable for deployment in the plains of Punjab, as well as the semi-desert and desert regions of Rajasthan. Minefield marking: System capabilities and operation The Mk-II equipment is mounted on a TATRA 6x6 vehicle platform and can erect pickets at adjustable distances ranging from 10 to 35 metres in 5-metre intervals. While the system automatically rolls out nylon (polypropylene) ropes from its onboard spools, manual effort is still required to tie the ropes to the pickets at two height levels. The equipment can continuously place up to 500 pickets in one operation. Depending on soil conditions and spacing, it can cover a perimeter of at least 1.2 kilometres per hour using 15-metre intervals. Ten spools are installed onboard, each carrying 1.5 kilometres of rope, enabling the system to support up to 15 kilometres of fencing in a single run. Live Events Also Read: Watch: Indian Army deploy a three-tiered robotic counter-infiltration grid along the LoC against Pakistan Technical specifications The system comprises mechanical, electrical, electronic, and pneumatic sub-systems. Its mechanical elements include one picket storage unit , one Picket Holder Assembly (PHA), a pneumatic system, buffer assembly, ten rope spools with braking mechanisms, a container, a platform, one linear motor guide, and seating for two operators. The electrical sub-system includes a power pack, Power Distribution Unit (PDU), linear motor, lighting, and ventilation. A linear motor is used to hammer the pickets into the ground, resting on a stopper when not in use. This stopper is actuated by an electrical actuator. A diesel generator (DG-set) supplies the required power, which is regulated by the PDU based on the equipment's demands. The electronic sub-system features an auto/manual control panel, main and field junction boxes, a Distance Measuring Device (DMD), a driver's display panel, linear motor controller, and various sensors. These components support automatic operation of both electrical and pneumatic actuators. All sub-systems are integrated within a box-type container welded to the platform, which is secured to the vehicle chassis using U-bolts. Deployment and production plans The system is capable of operating within a temperature range of 0 to 45°C and requires a crew of four, including one driver and three operators. The Research & Development Establishment (Engineers), Pune, a premier DRDO laboratory, has invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) from Indian industries with the technical and financial capability to manufacture and supply the Minefield Marking Equipment Mk-II with the requisite quality standards.
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
As Pune DRDO facility reaches key milestones in humanoid development, former chairman puts focus on robotic soldier
Former DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy on Thursday highlighted the country's ambitious vision of developing a robotic soldier and positioning India as a frontrunner in the field. His remarks came as DRDO's premier laboratory in Pune, Research and Development Establishment (Engineers), has reached significant milestones in humanoid robot development. Reddy, who was DRDO chairman and scientific advisor to the defence minister and is currently advisor to the Andhra Pradesh government, was speaking at the national workshop on Advanced Legged Robotics in Pune. The three-day workshop, which began on Thursday, has been organised by the R&DE(E) in association with College of Engineering Pune Technological University under the aegis of Pune chapter of the Indian Society of Systems for Science and Engineering. The legged robotic systems — such as bipedal and quadrupedal robots — have a wide range of practical applications across sectors, including defence and security, healthcare, domestic assistance, space exploration and in industries. However, the design and development of autonomous legged robots present numerous technological challenges. The workshop aims to shed light on key technological domains and critical areas associated with the advancement of legged robotic systems. In his inaugural address, Reddy said, 'The industries and academic institutes are contributing in a big way to the advancements in the field of robotics. I don't think there's any good institute in the country where at least one person isn't working on robotics. In almost all institutions, individuals and teams are working on some kind of robot. But these efforts need to be synergised in the light of the major advancements in the related fields of Artificial Intelligence, material sciences, computational technologies, power sources. How will this synergy come, who will take this lead, can be deliberated upon in this conference.' 'Government of India is creating structures in a focused manner towards work in certain areas. There are so many missions that the government has launched. It includes Artificial Intelligence Mission, Deep Tech mission, Quantum mission among others. So can we impress upon the government to come up with advanced robotic or humanoid related mission, which can spearhead the development in the country? The national mission will also be helpful to other domains. The R&DE Engineers should be able to come up with a robotic soldier and related applications. I am happy that this conference is happening on a very serious technology driven subject. I am sure that all the people sitting here and all the teams working in the field will be able to take the work forward. And we hope to see the dream of having a robotic soldier is realised with our country being the frontrunner in this direction,' Reddy said. His remarks on development of robotic soldiers comes at a time when the Centre for Systems and Technologies for Advanced Robotics (C-STAR) at the R&DE(E) has reached key milestones in the development of a humanoid. The C-STAR targets the development of robotic mule and humanoid as their primary goals; however, in the long term the centre will be developing technologies in the areas of biomimetic robots, collaborative operations of multiple robotic elements, Swarm robots, flexible bio-inspired robots, advanced control, efficient actuators, low energy motion and Cognition, officials have said. Officials said the two key system of the humanoid project, the humanoid upper body and humanoid stage-1 Biped which were at display at the workshop venue, have achieved important milestones. The humanoid upper body is designed to push, pull or slide doors, push obstacles and perform operations in high-risk zones. It can also safely handle hazardous objects like mines, explosives, liquids collaboratively with both arms and perform operations day, night, indoor and outdoor. The Stage-1 Biped has been designed to have the stability, control and balance during locomotion in unstructured terrain, fall and push recovery, real time map generation and navigation and can perform complex autonomous operations in high-risk zones. Among the key dignitaries present at the conference were Dr BHVS Narayana Murthy, Vice Chancellor of the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Sunil Bhirud, Vice Chancellor of College of Engineering Pune Technological University, Ankathi Raju, Director of the Armament Research and Development Establishment, and Makarand Joshi, Director R&DE(E). SE Talole of R&DE(E) is the convener of the workshop. Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010. Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune. Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More
