'Karna Robo' to guard Siachen; Kochi-made robots to protect borders

KOCHI: Equipped with AK-47 rifles and ammunition bandoliers, with grenades strapped around their waists, Kochi's own 'Karna' robots are set to guard Siachen. Kochi-based iHub Robotics is developing these Generation 3 humanoid robots for the Army. The agreement for the project was signed two months ago.

Trials are currently underway, and the robots are expected to join the Army within six months. Details of the project are being kept confidential. The initiative is part of efforts to test humanoid robots for deployment along the borders. The Chinese military is already using robots in difficult border areas.

iHub Robotics was founded by Athil Krishna from Bison Valley in Idukki, K. Akhil Haridas from Iruvalassery in Palakkad, and S. Sarath from Ramapuram in Thiruvananthapuram. They started the company while studying in their first year at Akshaya College of Engineering in Coimbatore. The company's manufacturing unit is located at Panayikulam in Ernakulam.

Four-layer security system

Karna features a four-layer security system. The robot is designed to carry out only its assigned tasks and transmit information in real time. When its battery charge runs low, its hybrid engine switches on automatically, allowing it to operate on diesel.

Robots for the police too

Apart from Karna, iHub Robotics has developed two other robots, Tara and Daksha, as well as Kavach, a rescue vehicle. The police are also preparing to deploy these systems in their operations. The robots can operate for more than 20 hours on a single charge and can navigate to a charging point on their own.

“We are very happy that the police, in addition to the defence forces, have also expressed interest in our robots,” said Athil Krishna, CEO of iHub Robotics.