Bengaluru Startup's Advanced Drones with 'Tunnel Vision' Join Uttarkashi Rescue Mission

Advanced drones from a Bengaluru-based startup have joined the Silkyara tunnel rescue mission. Two advanced drones will primarily be used for area mapping. A team of six skilled mining engineers, drone pilots and geotechnical experts is on the job. The team is capable of manoeuvring drones within tunnels to map the area and assess the probabilities for safe rescue tunnelling to aid in the efforts to rescue the labourers currently trapped in the collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand.

The drones are developed by Bengaluru-based Squadrone Infra and Mining which specialises in aerial intelligence for mineral exploration, mining, tunnelling, and infrastructure. The team will deploy drone-based geophysical and Emesent hovermap technology for underground applications and mapping remote and inaccessible areas. The startup says the emergency request to join the rescue operation came from Brigadier Vishal Varma, DDG, Border Roads Organisation who is spearheading the Silkyara tunnel rescue mission.

“The deployed drones are equipped with cutting-edge Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities. These features enable the generation of comprehensive data on the structure and geotechnical disturbances within tunnels and mines. This technology is utilised for underground and tunnel geotechnical applications, and it is instrumental in mapping the tunnel site to formulate an effective rescue plan. The integration of drone technology with AI and Machine Learning ensures accurate and enhanced visualisation, enabling swift and effective decision-making for tunnelling operations. This innovative approach not only expedites the rescue process but also enhances overall operational efficiency,” said Cyriac Joseph, founder and CEO, Squadrone Infra and Mining.

Squadrone’s onsite team will work in tandem with a dedicated backend team that will operate from the company’s headquarters in Bengaluru to provide crucial support and coordination to ensure seamless integration of data and insights. The team will play a crucial role in providing real-time feedback to the geotechnical and rescue teams.

The team has started working at the rescue site since late on Tuesday night and is hoping to provide crucial information on the structure and geotechnical aspects to help the rescue effort.