New Delhi: The trials of indigenously developed AI (artificial intelligence) enabled, unmanned all-terrain vehicles will be conducted soon by the Indian Army in Ladakh and Rajasthan deserts for surveillance and logistics operations, according to sources. The trials will pave way for the selection of a final product for large scale acquisition by the Army.
The vehicle developed by the Kalyani Group which was on display at the defence ministry’s first AI symposium in Delhi July 11 is under consideration among others. The vehicle runs on both batteries and motors and can operate on battery for about six hours and on motor for 14 hours. It has an operational range of three kilometres and can carry a load of up to 500 kg. Additionally, day and night cameras, having a range of two kilometres, are mounted on the vehicle. This means one can see up to five kilometres from a command centre.
According to sources in the defence and security establishment, the vehicle has already undergone two trials with the infantry and the armoured units. The infantry used the vehicle to carry logistics such as weapons and ammunition, while the armoured units used it as a reconnaissance vehicle to track enemy positions.
The vehicle has multiple sensors for mapping, path planning and obstacle detection, and can operate in temperatures ranging from -20 degree to +50 Degrees. It was also part of the Indo-Japan military exercise held earlier this year in February. The wheeled variants, both 4×4 and 6×6, are fully designed and developed indigenously while a tracked version is being built along with a European company. The unmanned vehicle will also be deployed for explosive detection and neutralisation of improvised explosive devices (IED).
The vehicle developed by Kalyani Group will go for high altitude trials in Ladakh next month and take part in desert trials later, added the sources. The sources also said there were more such vehicles under consideration, including one built by Torus Robotics. It has a payload capacity of 750 kg and has been developed with state-run BEML Limited.
The Army is looking at incorporating AI and unmanned systems extensively, sources explained. Trishul, an AI-enabled and remotely-operated weapon station that can detect human movement, direct weapons and fire automatically, is also under consideration. It is capable of engaging targets at 300 metres with 100 per cent probability of first round hits.
