IIT Mandi start up to launch worlds first AI-backed giant swing in Manali (GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)
Why in news?
- Four engineer friends have claimed to have innovated a giant swing backed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) which will provide an impeccable security to the jumpers with more than 100 jump styles.
- The swing was built under a startup incubated at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi, and is claimed to be a first-of-its-kind in the world.
Details:
- The ‘ManaliSwing' has completed its human jump trials and is in the process of filing patents for concept and design.
- They have been approached by the Dubai government to launch the swing in the country and is in conversation with interested agencies in Switzerland too.
Key Highlights:
- The swing allows one to perform 100 possible jump styles with a 70-metre-free fall secured by AI.
- Having a really intelligent AI will be an edge for a Jump Master and his team in ensuring no injury, incident, or causality happens on the site.
- For example, AI will not approve the jump if there is anything wrong with the jump protocol or international standards.
- This can be franchised anywhere in the world with an existing standard hi-res CCTV security camera feed.
Adventure Tourism Competitive Index (ATDI):
- India, despite being the world's youngest country with 50 per cent population below 25, stands at 96th position in global Adventure Tourism Competitive Index (ATDI) 2020. That too is consistently decreasing since the last four years.
- India ranks much lower than its neighbours, Bhutan (14th), and Nepal (67th).
Way Forward:
- The team, which has plans to launch a second swing in Goa and then take the technology to other countries, rued Indians' dwindling interest in adventure sports, despite an increase of 178 per cent in adventure activity globally in the last three years.
Modhera, Indias first solar-powered village
(GS Paper 3, Environment)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Prime Minister declared Modhera, a village in Mehsana district of Gujarat, as India’s first solar-powered village.
- Modhera, which is associated with the Sun Temple will also be known for its strides in solar energy. Modherawill now be known as Suryagram.
- It is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati. It was built after 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty.
About the Project:
- The central and Gujarat government initiated the solarisation of Modhera Sun Temple and town to provide round-the-clock solar energy through a solar power project integrated with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Sujjanpura in Mehsana, nearly 6 km away from the Sun Temple.
- The Gujarat government had allotted 12 hectares of land for the development of this project.
- An amount of Rs 80.66 crore was spent on a 50:50 basis by both the state and central government in two phases. The first phase constituted Rs 69 crore, and the second phase, Rs 11.66 crore.
Significance:
- As the people in Modhera would be saving 60% to 100% on electricity bills after using solar energy, now, they will not pay for electricity, but start selling it & earn from it.
- The government used to supply electricity to citizens till a while back but now citizens will be able to produce their own electricity.
'Droni' camera drone for farming solutions
(GS Paper 3, Agriculture)
Why in news?
- Recently, Indian cricket star Mahendra Singh Dhoni has launched the made-in-India camera drone named ‘Droni’ with advanced features manufactured by Garuda Aerospace.
- Droni drone is indigenous and can be used for different surveillance purposes. It is efficient, seamless and high quality from a tech and builds standpoint.
Kisan drone:
- The event also witnessed the launch of a new 'Kisan Drone' that is aimed at the agriculture sector, particularly in spraying applications.
- This battery-powered drone is capable of carrying out agricultural pesticide spraying over a land area of 30 acres per day.
Garuda Aerospace:
- Dhoni is the brand ambassador of Garuda Aerospace, a company which has attempted to offer drone solutions for agricultural pesticide spraying, solar panel cleaning, industrial pipeline inspections, mapping, surveying, public announcements, and delivery services.
- It has ventured into the consumer drone market with ‘Droni’.
Global Drone Expo:
- The Global Drone Expo in Chennai witnessed 1,500+ participants from 14 international drone companies and representatives from over 28 states and union territories which attracted investors, youth and stakeholders and outlined a path forward for the drone industry.
Way Forward:
- The product will be available in the market by the end of 2022.
