Artificial Intelligence (AI) is widely acknowledged to be a game changer. Several countries are investing to tap the benefits of AI in the defence and aerospace sectors. The Atmanirbar Bharat initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought a paradigm shift in the growth of AI in India, especially in the domain of defence and aerospace. The PM’s call ‘To make Artificial Intelligence in India, to make Artificial Intelligence work in India’ led to the formation of Defence AI Council (DAIC) to provide required guidance to enable and effect development of operating framework, policy level changes and support for adoption of AI. The services and research organisations are working with industry and startups to develop state-of-art AI solutions in India.
AI SOLUTIONS FOR INDIAN DEFENCE FORCES
Image Courtesy: PIB
Deepcatch
Deepcatch is an Edge AI vision platform which helps in monitoring machines with alerts and notifications. Deepcatch also helps with remote diagnostics such as system troubleshooting, online system modifications, over-the-air upgrades and backup management. Next Generation Edge AI Vision Platform can be used for defence applications such as drone detection, intrusion detection, etc.
iSentinel
iSentinel or the Intelligent Automated Threat Tracking and Identification System. The threat from terrorists is real and is an ever-present danger. There is a need to track and trace terror movements in real time. This system helps in storing data that is useful to identify and build evidence on the network. Further, potential threats need to be flagged in advance and alerts need to be built in.
System Capabilities
This involves real-time monitoring of people; real-time people counter and density monitoring; tracking of anomaly health indicators of people, e.g., severe fever indicators; seamless tracking of ‘People of Interest’ across cameras and zones; automated behaviour analysis of people near ‘No entry’ zones and sensitive zones; historical tracking of people; optional anonymous support; behaviour analytics for threat detection; integration with threat/security agencies’ databases; and very effective solution for safety and security of high value assets, both defence as well as civilian, in areas where terrorist threat exists.
Sapper Scout
The Sapper Scout is an AI-based mine detection UGV capable of detecting mines and marking mines using an illuminating spray. The UGV has a tracked platform enabling it to move cross-country on all kinds of terrain. The prototype also consists of a 5-axis robotic arm for cutting the trip wires of fragmentation mines. The UGV has 3 different cameras: one for accessing the detected mine, the second for mobility of the UGV and the third is for 360-degree recce of the environment.
AI Capability in Swarm Drones
Drone Swarms are a group of drones operating in conjunction with ground manoeuvre forces. This provides an aerial manoeuvre capability during offensive as well as defensive tasks. Swarm Drones can be effectively employed to detect enemy ground activities and target enemy ground forces to include troops, vehicles and command and control links. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Algorithms used in the system are capable of communicating with each other to form a swarm and achieve a collective goal. AI capability in Swarm Drones computes the shortest path, forms a pattern and achieves a common goal such as the combined search of a large area. Each drone is powered with distributed active collision avoidance algorithms. These algorithms compute any future collision with every other drone and alter its path dynamically.
Target Detection & Identification
Target detection and identification algorithms used in the system enable detection and identification of small-sized targets, vehicles and structures from a high altitude and over a large distance. These algorithms are able to perform precise identification, wherein it is able to distinguish between equipment, humans, animals and other objects. Depending upon whether the target is a friend or foe, it also suggests action that can be taken to neutralise the threat, if any, to the operator.
Image Courtesy: Twitter
Silent Sentry (Rail Mounted Robot with AI)
Silent Sentry, the rail mounted robot, can be controlled from computers/ tablets and android app as well as function autonomously within set limits. The system utilises two AI features for surveillance, i.e., Human Detection and Face Recognition for the purpose of surveillance.
(i) Human Detection: The video feed received from the robot is analysed by an AI software utilising object recognition. The software detects movement and human presence automatically, generates an audio alarm and stores the photographs with time and date log.
(ii) Facial Recognition: On detection of a human, a background facial recognition algorithm is activated, which tries to determine the identity of a person from a stored database. The facial features are then stored in the database.
Autonomous Fast Intercept Boat (AFIB)
The AFIB is an indigenously developed platform with advanced software and algorithms to have capability to perform autonomous operations up to 25NM speed range. The AFIB is an AI-based flagship product in the marine segment and first of its kind in India. The vessel is capable of performing its autonomous operations even in dense maritime traffic and in shallow water areas. The AFIB can perform a range of operations, of which a few are: autonomous operations for search and rescue; autonomous operations for Special Forces; autonomous operations of patrolling and surveillance in dense maritime traffic; interception and boarding of high-speed vessels; flood rescue operations; hydrographic survey operations with appropriate sensors.
Project Storm Drone (Automated Room Intervention Drone)
The AI-enabled automated room intervention drone systems with lethal and non-lethal payload are used to carry out building clearance and urban surveillance in GPS denied areas. The applications vary and include counter-terrorism room intervention operations, urban area surveillance, disaster response, rescue operations in underground mines (coal and iron ore mines), construction, forest, and poaching monitoring. Its unique features include: works in GPS-denied environment; autonomous navigation; collision avoidance; ability to deliver lethal and nonlethal payload in urban operations; saves lives of military and civilians in urban counter terrorist operations; reduces the engagement time in operations; technology-driven operation; aids in situational awareness and informed decision-making; urban surveillance and tracking of threats.
ISRO is using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for launch vehicles, spacecraft operations, space robotics, analytics and space traffic management among other applications. A few examples of such AI solutions developed for Indian space research programs are as follows:
Chandrayaan 2: AI-powered ‘Pragyan’ Rover
The Pragyan rover is a six-wheeled robotic vehicle and is capable of conducting in-situ payload experiments. It is powered by AI tools and frameworks, uses solar energy for its functioning and can communicate only with the Lander.
Image Courtesy: ISRO
Structural health monitoring through classification of strain patterns using artificial neural network
The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) introduced structural health monitoring technology through classification of strain patterns using artificial neural network (ANN). The technology increases safety and reduces maintenance costs of high-performance composite structures used in aircraft and re-entry vehicles. ANN helps in detection of damages such as fibre failure, matrix cracking, de-laminations, and skin-stiffener de-bonds in composite structures. It is used by ISRO to classify sensor malfunctioning and structural failures based on strain patterns of healthy and unhealthy structures.
Machine Learning: Geospatial Mapping
In November 2018, the Capacity Building Programme Office of ISRO introduced Respond Basket which comprised approximately 150 research areas, out of which 13 are on AI and Machine Learning. The programme is focused on key developments with AI and Machine Learning such as design and development of ANFIS controller for optimised control in Cryogenic High-Altitude Test facility of ISRO Propulsion Complex, algorithms for earth observation data processing, urban spatial growth modelling, mapping elevation using autonomous UAVs in swarm, object tracking and recognition, use of expert systems, genetic algorithms, NLP, robotics and fuzzy logics in mission operations, remote sensing-based forestry and ecology, change prediction and modelling of dynamic natural ecosystem using image processing and remotely sensed data, target identification from MOTR radar data, online spatial data analysis and processing, software framework development, estimation and correction of spacecraft jitter to improve geometric performance of satellite images, and operations research/optimal control.
AI-enabled monitoring system for forest conservation
The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) has designed and developed a monitoring system to observe forest cover change and combat deforestation by leveraging optical remote sensing, geographic information system, AI, and automation technologies. This system allows experts to detect small-scale deforestation and improve the frequency of reporting. It also enables scientists to process satellite imagery faster and reduces the time frame for new reports from one year to one month. The technology makes it possible for monitoring forest cover changes over small areas of one hectare by improving the resolution from 50 meters to 30 meters through optical remote sensing which provides insights into the smallest of deforestation activity.
Bhuvan
ISRO’s open data archive geo-portal called ‘Bhuvan’ provides visualisation services and earth observation data to users in the public domain, and offers remote sensing applications. The portal uses a crowdsourcing approach for collecting point-of-interest data and acts as a platform to host government data such as that of the forest departments. It allows users to explore 2D and 3D representation of the surface of the earth, pest surveillance, disaster services, high-resolution imagery of cities, etc. States like Punjab, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh use Bhuvan for specific applications in forestry, tourism, municipal, GIS, geo-tagging, etc.
The geo-portal is now enriched with 20 ministry portals and 30 state portals and assists government programs such as Integrated Watershed Development Program (Srishti-Drishti), National Mission for Clean Ganga, AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation), etc. The portal also enables the latest tools and techniques such as data discovery, metadata display, database creation and maintenance, smart city programs, and surveillance and monitoring systems.
Image Processing and Pattern Recognition
In the 1980s and ’90s, ISRO’s challenge was to build efficient and cost-neutral image processing and pattern recognition solutions for upcoming missions for the next decade. Hence, Unmanned Image Processing and Pattern Recognition (IIRS-Indian Institute of Remote Sensing) was born.
The ISRO team used various paths to explore deep learning algorithms in various applications of earth observation data like self-learning based classification, prediction, multi-sensor temporal data in crop/forest species identification, remote sensing, and time series data analysis among others.
Autonomously Navigating Robot for Space Mission
ISRO’s challenge was to build and send unmanned robots to help fetch critical space information in multiple missions throughout the year.
A half-Vyomnoid with sensing and perception of surroundings with 3D vision and dexterous manipulative abilities to carry out defined crew functions in an unmanned mission or assist crew in manned missions was developed. Design & Realization of FULL Vyomnoid with features that include full autonomy with 3D vision, dynamically controlled movement in zero ‘g’, Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning enabled real time decision making with vision optimization and path planning algorithms was later developed. ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) has played a crucial role in developments in this field.
The increasing number of applications of AI in Indian Defence and Aerospace is made possible due to the vision, support and encouragement by the government of India.
*The writer has 37 years’ experience in the fields of global AI and Cyber Security. He is a science and technology writer with more than 4000 published articles to his credit. He can be reached at upuranik@gmail.com.
