IIT Jodhpur’s 3D-Printed Hybrid UAV Can Operate on Land, in the Air, and in Water

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur unveiled a 3D-printed prototype for a hybrid unmanned aerial-underwater vehicle that can operate on land, air, and in water. The prototype, inspired by a species of bird Anhingas, aims to aid in rescue efforts and tasks like mapping oil spills and pollution dispersion.

Prof. Jayant Kumar Mohanta, Assistant Professor at IIT Jodhpur, highlighted the capabilities of the prototype, stating, “This prototype can sail like a ship on the surface, fly in the air, and navigate when submerged in water. It has a flying time of 15 minutes and can stay underwater for 8 hours.”

The 3D-printed prototype is equipped with a quadrotor configuration, enabling it to move in the air and underwater. The top layer functions for aerial movement, while the bottom layer, with aqua propellers, facilitates underwater navigation, making it capable of performing six maneuvers seamlessly.

The innovative prototype was showcased at the AIR ’23: Proceedings of the 2023 6th International Conference on Advances in Robotics. The development of this indigenous technology puts India on the map alongside countries like the US and China, paving the way for advanced capabilities in aerial and aquatic operations.