Robotics and AI are game-changing technologies that have a lot of uses in the social, economic, and military fields. In the task force reports on AI in defense, there are suggestions for policy and institutional changes needed to regulate and promote AI-based technologies for the defense sector.
Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) combines technology and cognitive intelligence for simulation, information processing, and knowledge creation to give machines the capacity to mimic human behavior. It is a revolutionary technology with huge uses in the social, economic, and military fields. We used to have robots that could be controlled by a person or by a set of instructions to do repetitive tasks. Many areas of the economy already use technology, such as mapping, handwriting recognition for mail delivery, financial trading, surveillance, target acquisition, smart cars, munitions, and robots that carry out a variety of medical, industrial, and military duties.
India’s leadership in information technology means that AI technology can be used to change India’s economy and national security. The country needs to put in place strict policies to encourage the use of AI and innovation in areas other than consumer goods and IT services. The growth of cloud technology also helps efficiency. Cloud-based computing platforms make much computing power available on demand at much lower costs.
AI can also make it easier to store and analyze datasets. It could analyze billions of data points in a few seconds. Several layers of computers work together to analyze the information in these large data sets. They look for patterns, figure out how people act, and make smart decisions based on what they find. Machine Intelligence-powered platforms can be used for a wide range of public services in India as a strategic tool for the government.
Defense Using AI
The recent trend of replacing conventional equipment with robots and other smart machines that learn by observing, trying things out, and making mistakes to improve efficiency is a cost-effective alternative. During DefExpo 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that new technologies like AI and robotics would likely be the most important factors in a defense force’s ability to defend and attack in the future.
Unmanned systems will likely be the most important part of war systems in the future. AI can give many military options for strategic, operational, and tactical planning. This includes intelligent and autonomous unmanned systems, data analysis, information processing, intelligence analysis, war-gaming, simulation, training, defense, offense, and command information warfare.
AI and robotics will play an important part in several defense applications, such as:
- Image interpretation is used to find and classify targets.
- Expert systems are used to diagnose and fix complex weapons systems like radars and missiles.
- Precision aiming assistance, ammo carrying, and accuracy may all be provided by robotic technology.
- Platforms with cameras that can withstand shocks could also be used to fire from a distance.
- Systems for figuring out what’s wrong with and fixing complex weapon systems.
- Analysis of the missile’s target range and trajectory is used to evaluate kill zones, launch time, and simulations to help determine how well the missile will work in different environments.
- Better use of robots for Anti Improvised Explosive Devices, getting people out of dangerous situations, firing guns, and other tasks.
Indigenous Developments
The Center for AI and Robotics is run by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) specializing in AI (CAIR). About 150 qualified scientists work in the lab. CAIR has been working on a project to create a Multi Agent Robotics Framework (MARF) for more than eight months. MARF will give India’s military a variety of robots that can work together as a team, just like our soldiers do. The Indian Army has already made a Wheeled Robot with Passive Suspension, a Snake Robot, a Legged Robot, a Wall-Climbing Robot, and a Robot Sentry, among other things.
CAIR has also made a Network Traffic Analysis (NETRA) program to watch how people use the internet. It can look at the voice traffic going through programs like Skype and Google Talk and intercept messages with the words attack, bomb, blast, kill, and other keywords in real time. At CAIR, there is no question that important research is being done. The Indian Armed Forces would then find ways to use these in their work.
Miniature UGV (MINIUGV)
The Indian Army has ordered 200 Remotely Controlled Vehicle (ROV) Daksh robots to defuse bombs. Also, the DAC has approved about 544 robots made in India for the Indian Army. The robots will be used to keep an eye on things and can deliver the right weapons.
Private sector
Robotics and AI can be used in defense, which could be a new market for private companies. The private sector has mostly made robots for the consumer goods market. Making things for the military can also be used for something else. Some foreign companies are working on this technology as well. Here are a few specific examples:
Uran-9 is a tracked, armored vehicle controlled by a remote operator. It has a 2A72 30-millimeter cannon that can fire 350 to 400 rounds per minute and shoot high explosive and armor-piercing ammunition.
The Kalashnikov will likely start doing a new combat module that uses Neuro Net in large numbers by the end of next year. “NeuroNet” is an artificial neural network that lets the module find targets, learn, and make decisions on its own.
The underwater systems of the future are being made at a Swedish center called the Maritime Robotics Center.
Indian companies like TAL idea or concept limited, PARI Robotics, Hi-Tech Robotics, KUKA Robotic systems, Robosoft Systems, Serial Innovations, Fanuc Corporation, and Idea Forge, among others, make different kinds of robots. Some of the most important developments in AI commercial infrastructure are:
India’s Artificial Intelligence Industry is expected to bring about $180 million yearly.
In India, there are about 29,000 people who work in AI. AI professionals in India have worked in their field for an average of 6.6 years.
Professional AI graduate and postgraduate courses are offered at the University of Mumbai, BITS (Pilani), IITs (Kharagpur, Delhi, Mumbai, Kanpur, and Roorkee), the University of Pune, and Delhi University.
AI in Defense Task Force
In February 2018, the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) set up a task force led by Tata Sons chairman N Chandra Sekaran to work on a roadmap for establishing tactical deterrence in the area and visualizing potential truly revolutionary weaponry for offensive and defensive needs, especially in the areas of aviation, naval, land systems, cyber, nuclear, and biological warfare to develop smart, autonomous robotic systems and strengthen cyber defense.
The Task Force glanced at the level of AI or machine learning (ML) development in India, mostly in defense needs. They suggested it be used in aviation, naval, land systems, cyber, nuclear, and biological warfare. It has concluded that AI can help drive technology-driven economic growth. It also can give the military an edge and greatly affect national security.
The recommendations include policy and institutional changes needed to regulate and encourage strong AI-based technologies for the defense sector and to work with start-ups and the advert industry in using AI for defense purposes. In the meantime, start-ups that have been approved by the government and use dual-use technology will automatically be able to take part in Make-II projects in areas like aeronautics, nanotechnology, virtual reality, renewable technology, robotics, green technology, and the internet of things.