Category: Amazing Feats

KARNATAKA: AVIATION/ DEFENCE : Bengaluru company Flying Wedge unveils indigenous bomber UAV

The Bengaluru-based company said the UAV would address India’s need for an advanced unmanned combat aircraft and boost efforts toward self-reliance in a segment critical to modern warfare.

Defence and aerospace company Flying Wedge on Friday unveiled its bomber UAV – FWD-200B – which it said would advance India’s unmanned air combat prowess with cost-efficiency and indigenous capabilities.

The Bengaluru-based company said the UAV would address India’s need for an advanced unmanned combat aircraft and boost efforts toward self-reliance in a segment critical to modern warfare. Flying Wedge had, in 2023, secured a DGCA type certification for its indigenous UAV technology.

FWD-200B is a MALE (medium altitude, long endurance) UAV with a fuel capacity of 100 kg. It comes with optical surveillance payloads and is integrated with missile-like weapons for precision air strikes. The UAV has a maximum speed of 370 kmph (200 knots), an endurance capacity of 12 to 20 hours, and a ground control station range of 200 km. At six metres long, with an eight-metre wingspan, the aircraft can carry a maximum take-off weight of 498 kg and has an operational altitude of 9,000 ft above mean sea level.

After unveiling a full-scale model of the UAV, Suhas Tejaskanda, founder of Flying Wedge, said plans were on to fly the aircraft during May. The company is engaging with the Army Design Bureau (ADB) – which leads the Indian Army’s Make in India initiative – to pursue possibilities of induction into the Armed Forces.

Flying Wedge, through the ADB, is taking the certification process forward with the Indian Army. The ADB’s Regional Technology Node is set to coordinate these efforts based on an evaluation of the aircraft across parameters.

“By June, we’ll be observing the flight dynamics and the behaviour of the aircraft and probably, over the next three months, we should be able to get the aircraft to CEMILAC (Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification),” Tejaskanda told reporters.

Tejaskanda said the company was also aiming to sell the aircraft to countries in Africa and South-East Asia that are, at present, buying highly-priced UAVs like the Predators from the US. He said the cost involved in the production of an FWD-200B was about Rs 25 crore.

source/content: deccanherald.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: SPACE TECHNOLOGY: Indian space startup Pixxel bags NASA contract to support Earth science research

 Indian space startup Pixxel has bagged a NASA contract to support Earth science research using the hyperspectral technology.

The Bengaluru-based company has become part of NASA’s $476-million commercial smallsat data acquisition programme — a first for an Indian startup after the space sector was opened to private companies in 2020.

Co-founder and CEO Awais Ahmed called the award a “monumental achievement for Pixxel”.

He said the contract, valid till November 2028, “validates that hyperspectral imaging will be integral to the future of space-based Earth observation and enable us to truly build a health monitor for the planet”.

As per the contract, Pixxel will provide NASA and its US government and academic partners with hyperspectral Earth observation data. This will help empower the administration’s Earth science research and application activities.

Pixxel hyperspectral can capture data across hundreds of narrow wavelengths. Its datasets can also unravel granular insights on climate change, agriculture, biodiversity, and resource management, among others.

Building on this momentum, Pixxel is also making significant strides toward launching six satellites shortly. Fireflies — its 5-metre resolution hyperspectral satellites — will be the highest-resolution hyperspectral satellites ever launched.

These satellites will capture data across over 250 spectral bands, offering more comprehensive coverage with a 40 km swath width and a 24-hour revisit frequency anywhere on the planet.

In addition, Pixxel also plans to expand its constellation to 24 satellites to make hyperspectral data commercially. This will make it more broadly available and accessible to stakeholders across industries and governments.

Pixxel has a constellation of the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral imaging satellites that are designed for 24-hour revisits anywhere on Earth.

The satellites can help detect, monitor, and predict critical global phenomena across agriculture, oil and gas, mining, environment, and other sectors in up to 50 times richer detail.

Pixxel has also launched its in-house Earth Observation Studio, Aurora, to make satellite imagery analysis easily accessible.

The company has also raised over $70 million from Google, Lightspeed, Radical Ventures, Relativity’s Jordan Noone, Seraphim Capital, Ryan Johnson, Blume Ventures, Sparta LLC, Accenture, and others.

source/content: ianslive.in (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: I.T. BREAKTHROUGH: IISc scientists achieve breakthrough in AI hardware

They were also able to do this at a fraction of the time and energy that traditional computers would need.

Loads of computing power is needed to train Language Models (LLMs) which are an integral part of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms such as ChatGPT, Midjourney and DALL-E are all trained on LLMs. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a brain-inspired analogue computing platform capable of storing and processing data in an astonishing 16,500 conductance states within a molecular film. This breakthrough can bring complex AI tasks to personal devices.

Generally in digital computers data storage and processing are limited to just two states. “Neuromorphic computing has had its fair share of unsolved challenges for over a decade. With this discovery, we have almost nailed the perfect system a rare feat,” said Sreetosh Goswami, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), IISc, who led the research team.

The newly developed platform can perform complex tasks on personal devices like laptops and smartphones. “These developments are currently restricted to resource-heavy data centres, due to a lack of energy-efficient hardware. With silicon electronics nearing saturation, designing brain-inspired accelerators that can work alongside silicon chips to deliver faster, more efficient AI is also becoming crucial,” read the IISc release. The platform developed drastically cuts down both, time and energy involved, making calculations a lot faster and easier.

“This project brought together the precision of electrical engineering with the creativity of chemistry, letting us control molecular kinetics very precisely inside an electronic circuit powered by nanosecond voltage pulses,” explained Sreebrata Goswami,  Visiting Professor at CeNSE.

Tapping into these tiny molecular changes, allowed the team to create a highly precise and efficient neuromorphic accelerator, which can store and process data within the same location, similar to the human brain. Such accelerators can seamlessly be integrated with silicon circuits to boost their performance and energy efficiency.

The team also turned this scientific discovery into a technological feat. They were able to recreate NASA’s iconic ‘Pillars of Creation’ image from the James Webb Space Telescope data – created by a supercomputer using just a tabletop computer. They were also able to do this at a fraction of the time and energy that traditional computers would need. 

The researchers believe that this breakthrough could be one of India’s biggest leaps in AI hardware, putting the country on the map of global innovation. Navakanta Bhat, Professor at CeNSE said, “In the context of the India Semiconductor Mission, this development could revolutionise industrial, consumer and strategic applications. The national importance of such research cannot be overstated.”

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)


NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Kavitha of MAHE & Archana Trust secures gold for Karnataka Bocce Team in National Bocce Championship, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

The Special Olympics Karnataka State Bocce Team has achieved remarkable success by winning gold medals in both the male and female categories at the recently concluded National Bocce Championship, held in Gwalior from September 1 to 5. The team’s outstanding performance has brought immense pride to the state of Karnataka.

Among the athletes, Kavitha, a native of Hunsur, Mysuru District, who has been a resident of ASARE for the past 15 years, played a key role in the team’s success. After participating in the state-level Bocce competition on July 29, in Davanagere, conducted by Special Olympics Bharath Karnataka, Kavitha was selected as part of the Karnataka team for the national event. At the National Bocce Championship in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, the team, including Kavitha, showcased their dedication and teamwork, winning two gold medals.

ASARE, where Kavitha resides, is a trusted institution dedicated to helping mentally challenged citizens. It was jointly established by Manipal Academy of Higher Education and Archana Trust with the noble aim of providing essential support to those who face challenges in mental growth due to various reasons. This victory is not just a personal achievement for Kavitha but also a testament to the empowering work done by ASARE in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The success of the Karnataka Bocce team is a reflection of the collective efforts of the athletes, coaches, and support staff, as well as the commitment of Special Olympics Bharat Karnataka to fostering an inclusive environment where athletes can thrive.

“We are thrilled with the team’s outstanding performance. This achievement, particularly Kavitha’s success, is a result of hard work, dedication, and passion for the sport. It also underscores the importance of supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities and celebrating their remarkable capabilities,” said members of the Special Olympics Bharat Karnataka committee.

This historic victory exemplifies the strength of inclusion and the incredible potential of athletes when given the opportunity to compete and succeed.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARANATAKA: FORESTS & ECO / TIGER CONSERVATION: Dr. Ramesh Kumar honoured with ‘Eco Warrior’ Award

Dr. P. Ramesh Kumar (left), Conservator of Forests (Project Tiger), Mysuru, being presented with ‘Eco Warrior’ Award by Jitendra Kumar, Director General of Forest and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, at a function organised by Indian Masterminds and IFS Association at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on Sept. 11.

Dr. Ramesh Kumar received the award for Wildlife Conservation in India.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SPORTS / SWIMMING: Karnataka retains title at 77th Senior National Aquatic Championships 2024

An eventful last day of the 77th Senior National Aquatic Championships 2024 ended with Karnataka being crowned champions again. They earned 17 Gold medals, 12 Silver medals and four Bronze medals to clinch the title. Maharashtra was the overall Runner-up with 6 Gold medals, 4 Silver Medals, and 4 Bronze medals.

Aneesh S Gowda, from Karnataka, was named the Individual Champion from the Men’s category with four Gold medals and Hashika Ramachandra, also from Karnataka, claimed the top spot among Women with three Golds and one Silver medal.

The icing on the cake for Karnataka was the creation of a new record in the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle. Prithvi M, Kartikeyan Nair, Akash Mani, and Srihari Nataraj combined to post 3:28.09 and better Karnataka’s own record of 3:28.16 from 2023. Unni krishnan s, Vikkas Prabhakar, Vinayak Vijay, and Anand As from Services Sports Control Board finished second with 3:28.93.

The meet also witnessed Railway Sports Promotion Board’s Shivangi Sarma, Astha Choudhury, Kanya Nayyar, and Avantika Sudhir Chavan break Maharashtra’s existing record of 4:02.24 in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle, created in 2023, by clocking 4:01.83. Karnataka’s Shirin, Vihitha Nayana Loganathan, Shalini R Dixit, and Hashika Ramachandra came in second at 4:02.62.

In the Women’s 400m Individual Medley, Karnataka’s Thanya Shadakshar was marginally leading in the initial 100m of Butterfly but Maharashtra’s Saanvi Deshwal pulled ahead of her in the next 100m Backstroke. Thanya made up some distance in Breaststroke to come up alongside Saanvi and in the last 100m of freestyle put a significant distance between them to finish first with 5:08.10 while Saanvi came in second with 5:10.89.

SSCB’s Vinayak Vijay was leading the 400m Individual Medley in the first 100m Butterly, accompanied by Dhulipudi Varshith, from Telangana and Yug Chelani, from Rajasthan. Dhulipudi and Yug overtook Vinayak in the next 100m Backstroke, but Vinayak clawed his way back into contention in the Breastroke. In the last 100m of Freestyle, Yug Chelani and Andhra Pradesh’s Mongam Theerdhu Samadev turned the table to finish first and second with 4:36.39 and 4:36.44 respectively.

The Women’s 200m Backstroke saw Odisha’s Pratyasa Ray lead in the first 50m but Bengal’s Soubrity Mondal turned on the after burners to snatch the lead and held it for the rest of the race to finish first with 2:21.76 and Pratyasa finished second with 2:24.29.

In the Men’s 200m Backstroke, Tamil Nadu’s Nithik Nathella and Maharashtra’s Rishabh Anupam Das went neck to neck, Rishabh began pulling ahead halfway through the race but in the last 50m sprint Nithik overtook Rishabh and claimed first place, clocking 2:03.47. While Rishabh finished second at 2:04.03.

Srihari Natraj shared his experience saying, “It was a great meet, coming back from the Olympics, it was a great chance to compete with friends. Karnataka put on a great show and retained the title again, I’m sure they would’ve won without me.”

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT: AI IMPLEMENTED: Bengaluru introduces AI traffic management systems across 41 junctions: Report

Bengaluru has implemented an AI-driven Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) at 41 junctions, reducing the need for manual traffic management.

Motorists in Bengaluru are set to see a reduction in traffic police manually managing intersections and adjusting signal lights due to a new technological upgrade. The city has introduced an advanced AI-powered Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS), which has been implemented at 41 junctions, automating traffic signal operations in real-time, the Deccan Herald reported.

This upgrade is part of Bengaluru’s broader initiative to fully automate its traffic control systems, reducing the need for human intervention and aiming for more efficient traffic management. Among the 41 junctions now equipped with the ATCS, seven have received entirely new signal systems, while 34 others have been modernized from older camera-based models, the report noted.

By the end of December, Bengaluru is expected to have 165 junctions operating with these state-of-the-art AI-driven signals. This expansion includes 136 upgraded junctions and 29 newly installed systems, focusing mainly on areas in the southern and western regions of the city, which are less affected by major construction projects, according to MN Anucheth, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), who spoke to the publication.

The new ATCS signals offer three operational modes: a manual override mode for emergency scenarios such as ambulance or VIP passage; a Vehicle Actuated Control (VAC) mode that utilizes computer vision technology to monitor and adjust traffic light timings based on real-time vehicle counts; and the ATCS mode, which coordinates signals across multiple intersections for improved traffic flow, the publication said.

Initial implementations of this system have been observed on KR Road, Rose Garden Road, and Hudson Circle, where the VAC mode is now operational. Key junctions now featuring the ATCS include NR Square Junction, Town Hall Junction, BMTC Junction on KH Road, Minerva Circle, and RV Teachers College.

As of September, Bengaluru has approximately 900 junctions managed manually by traffic personnel, with around 405 equipped with signal systems. By year-end, the city expects to surpass 500 signalized junctions, including the new ATCS installations and additional adaptive signals, the publication added.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: FIRST IN INDIA: Bengaluru’s electricity body first in India to allow payment for EV charging via WhatsApp

The new interface to EV Mithra app will provide a seamless charging experience for electric vehicle (EV) users, said the Managing Director of BESCOM.

The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) has introduced the ability to start and pay for EV charging sessions via Whatsapp.

BESCOM has also launched an innovative AI-based customer support bot called https://ev.bot powered by Pulse Energy, said a press statement from the company on Tuesday.

The new interface to EV Mithra app will provide a seamless charging experience for electric vehicle (EV) users, said Mahantesh Bilagi, Managing Director, BESCOM.

“As the nodal agency for developing EV charging infrastructure in Karnataka, BESCOM is committed to expanding our network and improving the management of charging stations. The new interface of the ‘EV Mithra’ app is a step in that direction, and it’s encouraging to see over 15,000 downloads already. We invite all EV users to take advantage of this enhanced experience,” said Bilagi.

The app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices and is available in nine languages, including Kannada.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: LITHIUM RESOURCES: Indian minister reveals discovery of lithium resources in Karnataka state

AMD has established 1,600 tonnes (G3 stage) of Lithium resources in the Marlagalla area, Mandya district.

Jitendra Singh, India’s Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, said that lithium deposits have been found in the southwest state of Karnataka, a government press release mentioned. 

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Thursday (Jul 25), the minister stated that the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), which is a constituent unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), has found the presence of lithium resources in the Mandya and Yadgiri districts of the state.

Singh informed that AMD has established 1,600 tonnes (G3 stage) of lithium resources in the Marlagalla area, Mandya district. 

The minister also said that preliminary surveys and limited subsurface exploration have been carried out in the Yadgiri district to know about the deposits. 

Lithium is mostly used in rechargeable batteries for electric cars, laptops, digital cameras and cell phones. Certain non-rechargeable batteries for devices like toys, heart pacemakers and clocks also include lithium. 

While highlighting the presence of lithium reserves, Singh said that AMD has also been exploring lithium in the potential geological domains in parts of Korba District in Chhattisgarh. 

He added that, however, the major mica belts located in Rajasthan, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh and Pegmatite Belts in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka are the potential geological domains in the country for lithium resources. 

Singh shared that a preliminary survey carried out recently by AMD in Himachal Pradesh has led to the identification of surface uranium occurrence in Masanbal, Hamirpur district. 

However, he categorically mentioned that the Atomic Energy Commission has not conducted any study to establish an atomic energy plant in the north Indian state. 

Singh said that although several small modular reactor designs and technologies released by overseas vendors and nations are being examined to obtain technical specifics, no proposal to work with foreign vendors or nations is being considered at this time. 

He further mentioned that the Indian and Russian governments have expressed interest in expanding the cooperation in the field of the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes including cooperation in the field of Small Modular Reactor. 

(With inputs from agencies) 

source/content: wionews.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: AVIATION HUB : Air India commences construction of mega MRO facility in Bengaluru

This will strengthen the Base and Line Maintenance facilities across the network to achieve self-reliance in fleet maintenance

Air India Group has announced the commencement of construction of a mega Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, at a groundbreaking ceremony in Bengaluru, reiterating its commitment to building a strong self-reliant aviation ecosystem for India.

The upcoming MRO facility, being built on a 35-acre land parcel at the Bangalore International Airport will become an important hub for Air India group airlines’ aircraft maintenance operations in the region, as the airline modernizes its fleet and expands its global operations.

Earlier this year, Air India had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Karnataka to establish MRO facilities in Bengaluru. Air India has also signed an agreement with SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) to be its strategic partner for the development of this MRO facility.

Once completed, the MRO is expected to generate over 1,200 new job opportunities for skilled aviation engineers in India, and support over 200 SMEs in Karnataka through an enhanced supply chain. These new ventures are projected to create further employment opportunities, strengthening the MRO ecosystem in the state. The MRO will also support Air India’s plans to make Bengaluru as one of its key hubs, boosting direct connectivity to global destinations.

The upcoming MRO will feature a mega hangar to accommodate wide body and narrow body aircraft under a single roof for Base Maintenance. The facility’s capacity will be further expanded to include additional hangars for servicing more aircraft, including paint hangar. Equipped with latest aircraft maintenance technology, including overhead tele platforms, cranes, universal docking systems, and the largest vertical lift hangar doors in the country, this MRO facility will be setting a new standard in aviation maintenance at par with any MRO in the world.

The Bengaluru MRO facility, expansion of in-housed Line Maintenance (routine maintenance of aircraft in operation) facilities across the network, and the recently refurbished wide body aircraft hangar in Mumbai, will make Air India more self-reliant in the maintenance of its entire fleet from 2025.

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development & Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Karnataka, Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), Chin Yau Seng, CEO, SIA Engineering Company, along with a senior leadership team of India leadership.

Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Karnataka, said, “It is heartening to see the quick turnaround that Air India has made in starting work for the MRO. This is not only a milestone for Indian aviation, which is growing at a rapid pace, but also for the state of Karnataka, which is taking a lead in the aviation sector with Bengaluru set to emerge as an important global aviation hub in the coming years.”

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said, “India’s aviation sector is on a growth trajectory and Air India is playing a leading role in this. The Bengaluru MRO facility is coming up at an opportune time to help strengthen India’s aviation ecosystem, while enhancing our in-house capabilities to maintain our fleet. This is a step ahead in our mission to make Air India a world-class airline.”

Hari Marar, Managing Director and CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), said, “As we work towards developing the Airport into a major aviation hub, this marks an important step towards strengthening the fleet maintenance capabilities and infrastructure offering. This development will not only enhance regional connectivity and drive economic growth but also create valuable opportunities for local talent and businesses, reinforcing Bengaluru’s position as an important player in the aviation ecosystem.”

Air India also plans to build a new wide body hangar in Delhi to cater to Line Maintenance requirements. This will help develop a complete maintenance ecosystem at all major airports. Air India is also ensuring availability of trained type-rated personnel for maintenance function of different type of fleet by obtaining approval for CAR-147 for its training academy.

Besides, Air India plans to open a Basic Maintenance Training Organisation (BMTO) in 2025, in Bengaluru, to ensure continuous inflow of trained personnel for aircraft maintenance and engineering activities. This will create opportunities for engineering students to receive training to become type-rated engineer for certification.

source/content: traveltrendstoday.in (headline edited)