Unique defence vehicles, a crowd puller at ISC expo

If one is enthusiast to know about a variety of defence equipment, including vehicles and fighter aircrafts, head towards ‘Pride of India’, a science exhibition, organised as a part of the Indian Science Congress at Manasagangothri campus of the University of Mysore (UoM), here. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), a premier institute of the Indian Army, has displayed a variety of models.

For the first time, DRDO has displayed its two unique defence vehicles — Mobile Autonomous Stabilisation System (MASS) and Mobile Autonomous Robot System (MARS) — for the public. With their unique features, vehicles are grabbing the attention of a large number of people. The vehicles look simple but, their features are amazing. It’s a wonderful innovation by the DRDO, said A V Nikshep, an engineering graduate from Bengaluru.

Both vehicles have been designed for handling a variety of objects, including hazardous objects and mines and configured as a small electrically propelled battery-operated wheeled platform and system capable of operating in autonomous, semi, autonomous and tele-operation mode. The systems consist of six manipulator fitted on a small mobile platform and are capable of auto navigation and intelligent autonomous handling of objects of interest.

Besides, Advanced Torpedo Systems, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Snake Robot, Remotely Operated Vehicle, Unmanned Ground Vehicle and Mobile Robotic System are the other attractions.

In addition, a variety of innovations pertaining to defence, have been displayed. Experts from 36 DRDO labs from across the country, showcasing major achievements, are taking part in the expo. The DRDO is primarily engaged in cutting edge Research and Development in the area of aeronautics, armaments and combat engineering, missiles, electronics and computer systems, materials, naval systems, and life sciences.

The models covering a wide range of the DRDO products, including Biomedical equipment, wearable health monitoring system and tele-medicine, various missile models, advanced avionics sensors and systems, airborne and early warning and control system, Tejas fighter aircraft model, autonomous search robot, rare earth magnets, INSAS rifle, military communication equipment, electronic warfare systems, night vision services, microwave devices, NBC protective systems, food technologies and aerosol-based fire fighting systems are on display.