A Kerala-based deep-tech startup is making waves in defence innovation by developing a customised drone for the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Fuselage Innovations, based at Maker Village, Kalamassery, developed the customised drone for NPOL after winning a tender for the project. The drone, capable of carrying a payload of up to 20 kg, has been designed for critical maritime activities, enhancing logistics and inspection operations. After undergoing successful trials, the drone was recently handed over to NPOL.
“We custom-developed the drone as per the specifications outlined by NPOL. We are really proud that we could work in coordination with one of the most reputed defence research organisations in the world. The drone has been developed entirely by our in-house team using systems and components designed by us,” said Devan Chandrasekharan, co-founder of Fuselage Innovations.
The core team of Fuselage Innovations that developed the drone included Embedded Engineer Yadhu Krishna T M and UAV Engineers Sibin N S and Basim Asis. This is the first time that Fuselage Innovations, which has been making drones for farming operations, has developed a drone for a defence project.
The startup is looking for more collaborations in the defence sector to develop more customised drones with enhanced capabilities, including long-range endurance and advanced manoeuvring features.
Fuselage Innovations was founded in 2020 by Devan Chandrasekharan and his sister, Devika Chandrasekharan, of Cherthala in Alappuzha, with a mission to boost farm yield using drones. After completing their engineering degrees, the siblings launched the tech startup to help farmers.
They developed two drones after conducting research and development on how drones could be used to identify pest problems and apply fertilisers to crops over large tracts of farmland. The drones are equipped advanced technology for analysing pest attacks and nutrient deficiencies at an early stage in crops. They are also used to apply pesticides and nutrients to the identified crops.
For the last three years, Fuselage Innovations has worked with over 4,000 farmers in Kerala.
