Context

• India has witnessed a significant transformation in its technological landscape, with innovations ranging from drone swarm displays at national events to indigenous system-on-chip (SoC) production for secure IoT environments.
• These diverse accomplishments are part of the Government of India's National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), an ambitious initiative launched in December 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• It is important to have an assessment on the engine behind the mission, key achievements of Innovation hubs and future directions.

National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS)

• With a budget outlay of Rs 3,660 crore, the mission aims to position India as a global leader in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS).
• It is a domain that integrates the physical world with computational systems.
• CPS includes critical sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), robotics, cybersecurity, and autonomous navigation.
• What sets this mission apart is its emphasis on translational research, which bridges the gap between theoretical studies and practical, market-ready solutions.

The Engine Behind the Mission: Translational Research and Innovation Hubs

• The core strategy of the NM-ICPS lies in the creation of Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) across 25 academic and research institutions, each focusing on thematic domains.
• These hubs are unique in that they operate as Section 8 (of the Companies Act 2013) companies, giving them operational autonomy and a purpose-driven focus.
• This structure is pivotal in transforming research into high technology readiness level (TRL) products that are aligned with national priorities.
• The results have been nothing short of remarkable: within just six years, the initiative has resulted in the creation of over 1,500 new technologies and products, leading to the formation of 650 startups and spinoff companies.
• Collectively, these ventures have generated over 16,000 jobs and trained 1,50,000 people in entrepreneurship, showcasing the mission’s impact on both technological and socio-economic fronts.

Key Achievements of the Innovation Hubs

• C3iHub at IIT Kanpur
  • Several innovation hubs under the NM-ICPS have spearheaded transformative projects that have strengthened India's technological infrastructure.
  • For instance, the C3iHub at IIT Kanpur has developed a Security Operations Centre (SOC) designed to protect critical infrastructure such as power plants and water treatment facilities from cyber threats.
  • This SOC integrates advanced technologies like real-time risk assessment, malware analysis, and intrusion detection, and is cost-effective compared to global competitors.
  • It has been rigorously tested using industry-scale test beds, which makes it a robust solution for safeguarding both Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) assets.
• TiHAN Foundation at IIT Hyderabad
  • The TiHAN Foundation at IIT Hyderabad specialises in autonomous navigation technologies, providing a state-of-the-art testbed for both aerial and terrestrial systems.
  • This facility is equipped with advanced features such as rainfall simulators and V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication systems, making it a versatile platform for testing Autonomous Ground Vehicles (AGVs) and Unmanned Aerial/Surface Vehicles (UAVs/USVs).
  • With collaborations involving institutions like Texas A&M and Tata Technologies, TiHAN has achieved a technology readiness level of nine, making it a leader in autonomous navigation research and commercialisation efforts.
• AWaDH hub at IIT Ropar
  • In the realm of sustainable agriculture and water management, the AWaDH hub at IIT Ropar has developed groundbreaking technologies like the world’s first ‘Digital Entomologist,’ which leverages AI for pest detection and management.
  • Other innovations include an AI-powered Livestock Management System and Nanobubble Technology for water purification.
  • AWaDH's technologies have international reach, with solar-powered biodiversity sensors deployed in countries like Switzerland, Australia, and the United States to create a Biodiversity Index of Farms.

Startups Driving Innovation and Market Adoption

• Botlabs Dynamics
  • The innovation hubs have developed several startups that are making significant contributions across various sectors.
  • For example, Botlabs Dynamics, incubated by the I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics at IIT Delhi, has commercialised drone-swarming technology.
  • Valued at over Rs 160 crore, this startup is a success story in both the defence and entertainment sectors.
• COMRADO Aerospace
  • Another notable startup is COMRADO Aerospace, which specializes in UAVs for high-altitude, long-endurance surveillance.
  • Incubated at ARTPARK at IISc Bangalore, COMRADO Aerospace is a key player in the defence sector, offering cost-effective solutions for extreme weather conditions.
• Mindgrove Technologies
  • Mindgrove Technologies, developed at the Pravartak Technology Foundation at IIT Madras, has created India’s first commercial chip designed for secure IoT environments.
  • This System-on-Chip (SoC) is based on open-source RISC-V architecture and offers a 30% cost advantage over competitors.
  • The chip is now used in various smart devices, including smartwatches and electric vehicle battery management systems.
  • Ayu Devices at IIT Bombay: Meanwhile, Ayu Devices, incubated at IIT Bombay, has developed AyuSynk, a Bluetooth-enabled digital stethoscope that amplifies heart and lung sounds up to 60 times, improving diagnostic accuracy in primary healthcare.

Future Directions

• Towards Self-Reliance and Global Leadership
  • The NM-ICPS has made significant strides in developing technological advancements that meet both domestic and global needs.
  • As the mission progresses, its innovation hubs are expected to move toward financial autonomy by commercialising their research outputs.
  • Indian industries have a crucial role in this process by co-creating innovations and funding new projects, further integrating research with real-world applications.
• Generative AI for Bharat
  • One of the most exciting upcoming projects under the NM-ICPS is ‘Generative AI for Bharat,’ a collaborative effort to develop multilingual and multimodal AI models in 22 Indian languages.
  • This initiative, spearheaded by IIT Bombay, involves public, private, and academic sectors, and promises to have far-reaching implications for India’s technological ecosystem. 

Conclusion

• The NM-ICPS is not just about technological innovation but also about shaping India’s future as a self-reliant and globally competitive nation.
• By bridging the gap between research and commercialization, the mission has the potential to revolutionise key sectors such as defence, healthcare, agriculture, and autonomous navigation.
• Its continued success will play a pivotal role in driving India’s economic growth, improving societal well-being, and positioning the country as a leader in CPS technologies on the world stage.