Marut Drones, a leading drone manufacturer in India, claimed the top prize for its surveillance drone at the Amravati Drone Hackathon 2024, surpassing over 450 participants. The company triumphed in Category 4, receiving a cash award of ₹3,00,000 for its innovative approach to using drones to improve public safety and law enforcement.
The accolade was presented by Shri Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, alongside Shri K Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation of India. The hackathon provided a platform for technology innovators, startups, and governmental stakeholders to collaborate and promote the integration of drone technology in state governance.
Participants were challenged to develop drone solutions aimed at enhancing public safety, including monitoring large events, detecting illegal activities, and improving nighttime surveillance. Marut’s surveillance drone is a sophisticated end-to-end system equipped with high-resolution cameras, infrared sensors, and AI-driven software for real-time object recognition.
This drone excels in comprehensive surveillance applications, such as traffic management, accident reconstruction, and effective monitoring of large gatherings to ensure safety and crowd control. It is also capable of tracking illegal activities, including poaching and unauthorized mining in protected areas.
The drone features optical zoom, thermal imaging, and night vision capabilities, allowing it to function effectively in low-light conditions, which is essential for patrolling high-risk areas. With machine learning and AI analytics, it addresses personnel and resource challenges.
The system can integrate with surveillance applications used by government and police agencies, facilitating automatic deployment in response to SOS alerts from command centers. Upon arrival, the drone can assess the situation and notify relevant services, such as ambulances, police units, and fire engines.
It has a coverage radius of 5 kilometers and transmits real-time video feeds to public safety authorities. Additionally, it is equipped with a speaker and high-beam lights to communicate warnings to potential offenders. This technology enhances situational intelligence, enabling quicker responses than ground units while minimizing risks to officers in tense situations.
The drone’s scalability allows deployment across various cities and regions, all linked to centralized control centers for continuous coverage. The impact of this innovative solution is significant for law enforcement, potentially reducing emergency response times by 30-50% and increasing successful incident resolutions by 20%. Furthermore, operational costs may decrease by 15-20%, while the detection of illegal activities could improve by 25%.
Beyond operational advantages, Marut’s drone technology promotes social and economic development. By lowering crime rates and enhancing community trust, it creates a favorable environment for businesses and public events. The launch of Marut’s aerial surveillance drone is also anticipated to generate new job opportunities in drone operation and technical support.
Commenting on the achievement, Prem Kumar Vislawath, CEO of Marut Drones, stated, “We are honored to win at the Amravati Hackathon 2024 and showcase Marut’s aerial surveillance solution to industry experts. This recognition reflects the government’s commitment to adopting drone technology for public safety and law enforcement. Our drones can aid in accident documentation and criminal surveillance, serving as a comprehensive solution for managing large crowds in public spaces. We are eager to partner with law enforcement agencies to implement the surveillance drone system across various regions and enhance community safety.” The aerial surveillance system not only tackles crucial surveillance and crowd management challenges but also paves the way for safer, more secure communities throughout India.
Founded in 2019 by three IIT alumni, Marut Drones is at the forefront of drone technology in India, focusing on solutions that address ongoing societal challenges while advancing agriculture and developing the infrastructure necessary for a secure and diversified food supply.
