Originals · Startup · Startups & Fintech
Beijan's GPS-free drone navigation module goes through Indian Army trials
The BITS Pilani Hyderabad student startup's camera-based module, first imagined for drones on Mars, helps drones navigate when GPS is jammed and has drawn letters of intent from eight Army units.
Beijan, a defence technology startup founded by BITS Pilani Hyderabad students Naman Kasliwal and Shiv Patil, has built the Beijan Autonomous Navigation Module, a compact unit that lets a drone find its way using its onboard cameras instead of depending entirely on GPS. India Today and Deccan Chronicle both describe it as a backup navigation source for places where satellite signals are unavailable or deliberately jammed.
The idea began with a different question: how would a drone navigate on Mars, where there is no GPS network? During their research, an Indian Army officer pointed out a more immediate use, helping military drones keep their bearings when an enemy jams GPS. The founders then adapted their vision-based software to run on small, light hardware.
According to the founders, the module has been tested at military locations including Secunderabad and Leh and demonstrated to the Army's Southern Command. Three modules were taken for further field testing at Pokhran, and officials from eight other military units have expressed interest through letters of intent. Separately, Beijan's Prachand Swarm Ground Station software is deployed with formations under Southern Command.
What could still go wrong: India Today notes that the navigation module is still moving towards full system integration and final validation before any large-scale production or deployment, so letters of intent are not yet orders. The test is whether it holds up across the deserts, mountains and jamming conditions the Army operates in.
