What do you understand about “Standard Positioning System” and “Precision positioning system” in the GPS era? Discuss the advantage India perceives from its ambitious IRNSS programme employing just seven satellites.

GS 3
Science & Technology
2015
12.5 Marks

Recent developments in robotics technology, particularly with India's National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems allocating ₹270 crore, highlight the growing potential for sustainable robotic integration in hazardous work environments.

Areas of Prohibitive Labour for Robotic Management

Nuclear and Chemical Industries

  • Radioactive Material Handling: Robots managing uranium processing and reactor maintenance without radiation exposure risks
  • Chemical Processing: Automated systems handling corrosive acids, toxic gases, and explosive compounds
  • Waste Management: Robotic disposal of hazardous chemical and nuclear waste
  • Leak Detection: Autonomous monitoring systems in high-risk chemical plants
  • Decontamination Operations: Remote cleaning of contaminated facilities

Extreme Environment Operations

  • Deep-Sea Mining: Underwater robots operating at crushing depths for mineral extraction
  • Space Applications: Satellite maintenance and Mars exploration rovers
  • Arctic Operations: Robotic systems functioning in sub-zero temperatures
  • High-Temperature Environments: Steel foundries and glass manufacturing automation
  • Underground Mining: Autonomous drilling in unstable geological conditions

Research Initiatives for Premier Institutes

Government Framework Programs

  • National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems: ₹270 crore I-HUB at IISc Bangalore for autonomous robotics
  • Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR-DRDO): Defense robotics with ₹500 crore budget allocation
  • Make in India Initiative: 30% import substitution target for industrial robots by 2025
  • PLI Scheme Extension: ₹76,000 crore for automation and robotics manufacturing
  • Digital India 2.0: Integration of AI-robotics research across 100+ institutions

Industry-Academia Collaboration Models

  • Public-Private Partnerships: Bajaj Auto's 100+ collaborative robots success model for replication
  • Technology Transfer Programs: Direct industry funding for practical robotics applications
  • Incubation Centers: IIT-industry partnerships for robotics startups
  • International Cooperation: Indo-German robotics research agreements
  • Patent Development: Incentivizing indigenous robotics IP creation

Strategic investment in robotics research through the National Robotics Mission and enhanced industry-academia partnerships will position India as a global leader in sustainable automation solutions for hazardous industries.

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