Chandigarh: In a major initiative aimed at positioning Haryana as a hub for drone innovation, indigenous technology development, advanced manufacturing and youth-led entrepreneurship, Startup Haryana, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Haryana, and Drone Tech Multi-State Cooperative Society Limited announced the launch of “DRONOTHON – Haryana Drone Innovation Challenge.”
Startup Haryana Incubators to Take Dronothon to University Campuses
A key feature of DRONOTHON will be its statewide university outreach through the Startup Haryana incubation ecosystem. The programme will reach universities and higher educational institutions through Startup Haryana-empanelled incubators, including Startup Stairs, led by Dr. Preet Sandhu, and SAAC, led by Vineet Khurana, among other participating incubators.
DRONOTHON: Industry Problems to Become University Innovation Challenges
The central idea behind DRONOTHON is to create a direct bridge between industry requirements and Haryana’s academic and innovation ecosystem. Under the initiative, industries will be invited to submit real-world problem statements and technology challenges.
Universities across Haryana to Be Invited
DRONOTHON is proposed as a statewide university innovation programme, with universities and higher educational institutions across Haryana being invited to participate. Universities will be encouraged to constitute multidisciplinary teams involving students, faculty members, researchers and innovators. Each team will have the opportunity to work on specific problem statements identified by participating industries and other relevant stakeholders.
Key Challenge Areas
Industry problem statements under DRONOTHON may cover emerging drone applications including: Agriculture spraying and precision agriculture, Drone-based mapping and surveying, Roads, highways and bridge inspection, Infrastructure monitoring, Logistics and last-mile delivery, Industrial inspection, Disaster management and emergency response, Public safety and surveillance, Artificial Intelligence and autonomous drone operations, Indigenous drone components, Battery and propulsion technologies, Drone communication systems, GIS and geospatial technologies, Drone data analytics, Defence and strategic applications, Counter-drone and anti-drone technologies, Healthcare and emergency logistics, Smart-city applications, Mining and natural-resource monitoring, Advanced manufacturing and emerging drone technologies.
