Relevance for UPSC (GS Paper III – Science & Technology / Internal Security)

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed a new GPS-free control system that enables a group of drones to fly in coordination without relying on satellite navigation or inter-drone communication.

Traditionally, drone swarms depend on GPS signals and continuous radio links to maintain formation. However, in many situations such as dense forests, urban areas, or conflict zones, GPS signals may be weak or jammed. IIT Bombay’s breakthrough overcomes this limitation by allowing drones to navigate using their own vision and motion data.

The Underlying Technology 

Each drone is equipped with a camera that helps it “see” the direction of nearby drones.
It combines this visual information with its own speed and movement sensors to understand how to adjust its path.
Using this data, every drone can maintain formation automatically and follow a leader without external guidance.
The drones therefore depend on local sensing and autonomous decision-making, allowing the swarm to stay organized even when communication or GPS signals are unavailable.

In essence, the drones act like a flock of birds — each one observes, adjusts, and flies in coordination using only local cues.

Why It Matters

• Reliable in GPS-denied areas: Effective in disaster zones, forests, and defence operations.
  
• Energy efficient: Less communication means longer flight time and lower power use.
  
• Stealthy and secure: Fewer signals make the swarm harder to detect or jam.
  
• Versatile applications: Useful for surveillance, rescue missions, agriculture monitoring, and environmental studies.
  

Broader Relevance

• Supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives in defence and robotics.
  
• Aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
  
• Promotes responsible innovation and regulatory adaptation under India’s Drone Rules (2021).
  

One-line wrap: IIT Bombay’s GPS-free drone swarm shows how Indian researchers are enabling drones to “see and think” for themselves, advancing the future of autonomous technology.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question:

Which of the following statements about IIT Bombay’s GPS-free drone swarm technology are correct?

1. The drones maintain formation using camera-based visual bearings and their own motion data.
   
2. The system requires continuous GPS and radio communication for coordination.
   
3. The drones can reorganize and change formation even without inter-drone communication.

Select the correct code:
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B