14-year-old Harshwardhan Zala from Gujarat has designed a drone to detect land mines.
On 12 January, the boy genius also landed himself a deal with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat. He also received an Memorandum of Understanding of Rs 5 crore for further manufacturing of drones that will be able to detect and defuse land mines on a battle field.
The drone is equipped with thermal meters, sensors and a 21-megapixel camera.
The device has the ability to send out waves that detect the land mines up to eight square meters while it is two feet above ground level. After the detection, it sends out their locations to the authorities.
“The drone also carries a bomb weighing 50 gram that can be used to destroy the landmine,” Harshwardhan told TOI.
Harshwardhan’s named his company ‘Aerobotics’ and has registered for patent on the drone design.
The cost of building the first two drones was Rs. 2 lakh, which were paid by the parents of the teen while the third was paid for by the State of Gujarat,