Overview

DST NMICPS Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation and Data Acquisition Systems (UAVs, ROVs, etc.) – TiHAN at IIT Hyderabad – focuses on research, design, and development of autonomous navigation and data acquisition systems, enabled through strong industry–academia collaborations.

TiHAN invites R&DI funding proposals in the thrust areas listed below. Proposals should target translational technology development with clear commercialization potential. The project duration is 12 months.

Technological Focus Areas

    Autonomous Platforms and Mobility Architectures

    • Long-range hybrid drone platforms
    • eVTOL aircraft and advanced aerial mobility platforms
    • Design for smart mobility across aerial and terrestrial domains
    • Advanced Materials, Structures, and Vehicle Design (Foundational)
    • Lightweight and advanced materials science for aerial vehicles
    • Composite materials for unmanned and autonomous platforms

    Intelligence, Robotics, and Autonomy

    • Robotics for autonomous and semi-autonomous systems
    • AI/ML frameworks for autonomous navigation and efficient multi-sensory data aggregation using UAVs, ROVs, and related platforms
    • Autonomous vehicle swarms and their applications

    Edge Computing, Communications, and Networking

    • Efficient edge-computing architectures for real-time multi-sensory information processing
    • Communications and networking for autonomous navigation, including DSRC, C-V2X, and related technologies

    Cyber-Physical Systems and Integrated Ecosystems

    • IoT and cyber-physical system (CPS) architectures for effective deployment of UAVs, ROVs, and related systems in the Indian context
    • Connected unmanned aerial, terrestrial, underwater, and underground systems

    Study and research reports on Standards, Regulation, and Technology Roadmap

    • Autonomous navigation technologies, covering the state of the art across aerial, terrestrial, underwater, and underground domains
    • Analysis of national and international standards, standardization activities, and regulatory frameworks relevant to autonomous navigation (including safety, interoperability, spectrum, certification, and compliance aspects)
    • Assessment of gaps, challenges, and opportunities in existing standards and regulatory ecosystems, with a focus on Indian requirements and global alignment of autonomous navigation
    • Development of a forward-looking 10-year technology roadmap for autonomous navigation, identifying key milestones, emerging technologies, TRL progression, and adoption timelines
    • Policy and standards recommendations to support indigenous innovation, global competitiveness, and regulatory preparedness

Proposal Preparation

  • Submit a single PDF following the format in Annexure A (Proforma for Project Proposal).
  • Attach an endorsement letter signed by the Head of Institution as per Annexure B.

Proposal Templates

Templates (to be counter-signed by Director/Registrar/Dean/HoD from concerned institutes):

Download Annexure A – Proforma Download Annexure B – Endorsement
Note: Each proposal must include the endorsement letter (Annexure B) duly signed by the Head of Institution. Ensure all supporting documents are included in the single PDF at the time of submission.