Technology Development Fund (TDF) ProgrammeTechnology Development Fund (TDF) Programme The TDF programme, a flagship initiative under the ‘Make in India’ umbrella, aims to foster an ecosystem of advanced technology development in India, promoting self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta) in defence. Through this programme, the Ministry of Defence, implemented by DRDO, encourages participation from public and private industries, with a focus on start-ups and SMEs. Success Stories of Start-ups under the TDF Scheme 1. Combat Robotics, Pune * Developed an innovative unmanned vehicle simulator for UGVs, UUVs, USVs, and UAVs, enabling advanced development of autonomous systems. 2. ChiStats Labs Private Limited, Pune * Virtual sensors for monitoring aero gas turbine engines: Created a comprehensive diagnostic system to enhance engine reliability and life, utilizing AI/ML technologies. * Tools for data assessment, active learning, and credibility for visual data: Developed a framework to improve AI model validation and optimization for defence applications, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in critical scenarios. 3. NewSpace Research and Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru * Developed an advanced UAV for indoor exploration in zero light conditions, enabling search and rescue, surveillance, and environmental monitoring operations in challenging environments. Objectives of the TDF Programme * Provide subsidies to Indian industries, SMEs, start-ups, and academic institutions for defence and dual-use technology development. * Foster collaboration with the private sector, particularly SMEs and start-ups, to promote design and development of military technology. * Focus on cutting-edge technologies to fill gaps in the Indian defence industry. * Bridge the gap between the armed forces, research institutions, academia, and the private sector.
The Technology Development Fund (TDF) programme encourages participation of public/private industries, particularly start-ups and SMEs, to create an ecosystem aimed at enhancing capabilities in advanced technology and promoting ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence. The TDF programme is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Defence implemented by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Till date, a total of 77 projects, with an allocation of over Rs 300 crore, have been approved for various industries and 27 defence technologies have been successfully implemented under the scheme.
Below you will find the success stories of some start-ups under the TDF scheme:
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Combat Robotics, Pune
Combat Robotics, the Pune-based startup, has successfully developed an innovative unmanned vehicle simulator. It is a multi-domain simulator that supports unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and serves as an excellent development tool for agencies working on developing autonomous systems.
The simulator offers comprehensive environmental modeling, scenario and vehicle modeling and intuitive control systems with developer documentation. It is designed to meet the requirements of testing and validating the autonomous behavior of unmanned vehicles in multiple domains. It has been developed under the aegis of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), a Bengaluru-based laboratory of DRDO.
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ChiStats Labs Private Limited, Pune
- Virtual sensors for monitoring the health of aero gas turbine engines: The project involves the development of a comprehensive diagnostic system of various components of Aero Gas Turbine Engine (AGTE), which will lead to increased operational reliability and engine life. The system is built on stronger foundations of modern Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) technologies. It efficiently processes large-scale data and performs operational assessments quickly with a high degree of accuracy. The virtual sensor framework is developed indigenously.
The technology has been successfully developed under the technical guidance and mentorship of Gas Turbine Research Establishment, a Bengaluru-based laboratory of DRDO. ChiStats Labs Private Limited is a start-up in the field of data science and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and the winner of the Dare to Dream 2.0 Innovation competition of DRDO.
- Tools for data assessment, active learning and credibility for visual data: This groundbreaking project aims to improve AI model validation and optimization for defense applications. It will facilitate collaboration between scientists through shared and reproducible experiments. All tools are accessible via a user-friendly web interface.
The project focuses on developing a comprehensive framework to address the unique challenges posed by the vast amounts of data generated in defence scenarios. It consists of four major modules: Data/Feature Assessment, Active Learning, AI Believability and Web Application. It will enable defence organisations to build more accurate, reliable and efficient AI models, leading to improved decision-making and enhanced capabilities in various critical applications. CAIR, Bengaluru was instrumental in guiding and monitoring the project.
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NewSpace Research and Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru
The Bengaluru-based startup has developed an advanced UAV capable of exploring indoor environments under various conditions including zero light, under the project ‘Autonomous Drone as First Responder for Search and Report Operations in Enclosed/Indoor Environments’. The project focuses on developing Indoor UAV integrated with autonomous navigation stack, onboard object detection module and localization fallback mechanism integrated with flight control firmware. Integration with autonomous navigation stack includes 3D mapping, reconnaissance algorithm and AI/ML engine.
The success of the project opens up possibilities for various applications including search and rescue, surveillance, industrial inspections, environmental monitoring and exploration of hazardous environments, contributing significantly to technological advancement in unmanned aerial vehicles. The technology has been developed under the technical guidance and mentorship of CAIR, Bengaluru.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat has congratulated the start-ups and DRDO labs involved in these projects. These achievements mark DRDO’s successful attempt to promote the industry in realising Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, he said.
The main objectives of the TDF programme are:
- Providing subsidies to Indian industries including SMEs and start-ups as well as academic and scientific institutions for the development of defence and dual-use technologies that are currently not available to the Indian defence industry.
- Collaborate with the private sector, especially SMEs and start-ups, to introduce the culture of design and development of military technology and support them with grants.
- The focus is on research, design and development of niche technologies that are being developed for the first time in the country.
- To bridge the gap between the armed forces, research institutions, academia and qualifying/certifying bodies and private sector organizations.
