AquaAirX Autonomous Systems, a Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup that specialises in designing and building multi-domain amphibious and autonomous systems, was recently in the news when it raised ₹12.5 crore in a seed funding round from Rainmatter, the investment arm of Zerodha.
In what comes as proof that India’s defence tech continues to evolve with new technologies, AquaAirX unveiled India’s next-generation surveillance-class amphibious drone, AVATAAR, which has a wide range of defence and other applications.
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The amphibious drone can operate seamlessly in the air and underwater and can be used in several missions of the armed forces, including tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and search and rescue operations.
According to the company, AVATAAR combines endurance, agility, and intelligence to deliver real-time situational awareness across domains.
The company says the drone is built for defence, security, and research and “redefines what’s possible at the intersection of air, sea, and autonomy.”
It has been confirmed that the drone has achieved Technology Readiness Level 6, which means the fully functional prototype of the drone has been tested in the relevant operational environment and proved efficient, marking the transition of the machine from the lab to real-life applications.
The defence applications of AVATAAR will include constant multi-domain surveillance of ports and berths to detect possible threats, support for precision loitering and target-acquisition operations, and high-fidelity inspection of platforms, pipelines, cables, and subsea assets with autonomous data.
It can also assist in ISR operations, offering real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for littoral and near-shore operations.
Besides, the multi-domain drone can also be used for rapid-response search and pinpoint recovery support in complex surface and subsurface environments, according to the company.