IIT-Kharagpur's superpower drone BHIM can create a wifi zone in conflict regions

A research group at IIT Kharagpur has designed the country's first indigenous superpower drone called 'Bhim'.

BHIM has been built by using the "internet of things" -the inter-networking of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators and network connectivity -which enables these objects to collect and exchange data.

Aimed for conflict zones, it creates a Wi-Fi zone within a nearly 1-km radius when it flies overhead. With a battery backup of seven hours, the drone can fly into a disaster zone and create a seamless communication network for security forces and rescue personnel.

It maintains long flight times and drops emergency supplies by using parachutes. Bhim costs just one-fourth the price of any average drone used for surveillance in India now.

The drone was recently shown to Defence Research and Development Organisation.