Bhatkare, a pilot of the IAF's
Ministry of Defence shares video
The Ministry of Defence, in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), also praised Squadron Leader Bhatkare's work, highlighting his commitment to safety and innovation. "Fueled by the vision of #AatmanirbharBharat, Sqn Ldr SS Bhatkare has defied the odds to develop a cutting-edge, AI-driven aircraft inspection system," the Ministry said.The Ministry of Defence also posted a video, in which Bhatkare can be seen talking about his innovation. He said that the surge in support for home-grown technologies and startups in the defence sector inspired him to create this.
"Since 3-5 years, there has been a lot of promotion given to startups and innovations and make things in India itself. That motivated me. I thought I would also innovate something. I have created this innovation of detecting aircraft panels, gauges, and covers. First of all, an inspection of aircraft needs to be done to try to find out if there is any damage. Sometimes the pilot is tired, or because of human error, it can happen that they miss out on certain things. A camera system will be developed that can scan the entire service of aircraft. This will be able to reduce the accidents that happen because of human errors," he said.
Enhancing safety with AI
Bhatkare's AI-powered system will scan the entire surface of an aircraft, allowing it to detect any damage or anomalies that might be overlooked during manual inspections.In other words, the aircraft inspection system utilises advanced AI algorithms to scan aircraft surfaces, identifying any wear and tear or damage that could compromise safety. Unlike human inspections, which may miss critical details due to fatigue or oversight, the
This AI tool marks a critical step forward in ensuring the safety of pilots, ground staff, and the aircraft themselves. With aviation accidents still a concern in many parts of the world, Bhatkare’s system has the potential to reduce risks associated with human error, making air travel safer for all.