Aspirant Academy

Science and Technology

Robotics and Nanotechnology

Indian Science: Scientists, Institutions, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Quantum Computing, Government Policies, Digital India, Cyber Security & Data Privacy

Paper II · Unit 2 Section 5 of 13 0 PYQs 38 min
Topic Preview Subject Inventory

Public Section Preview

Robotics and Nanotechnology

4.1 Robotics in India

Definition and Context

Robotics is the interdisciplinary science of designing, building, and operating robots — programmable machines capable of carrying out complex tasks. India's robotics ecosystem spans defence, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and research.

DRDO Robots

  • DAKSHA: India's indigenously developed remote-controlled bomb disposal robot, deployed by Indian Army's Corps of Engineers and NSG (National Security Guard). It uses robotic arms, cameras, and manipulators to identify and defuse IEDs and explosive devices in field conditions. Widely deployed in anti-insurgency operations in J&K and Northeast India.
  • MUNTRA (Mission UN-manned TRAcked): DRDO's unmanned ground vehicle series developed at Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai. Three variants exist:
    • MUNTRA-S (surveillance)
    • MUNTRA-M (mine detection)
    • MUNTRA-N (CBRN — Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear environment)
    • Weight: ~8.5 tonnes; max speed: 35 km/h
  • DRDO Robotic Mule: A four-legged locomotion robot for logistics support in mountainous terrain, reducing load on soldiers.

Research Robotics

  • RoboAnalyzer: Developed at IIT Delhi by Prof. Subir Kumar Saha's group. A PC-based 3D robot analysis software for teaching and research in robotics kinematics, dynamics, and trajectory planning. Used in over 100 educational institutions.
  • Manav (India's first 3D printed humanoid robot): Developed by A-SET Robotics Lab, 2014. India's first 3D-printed humanoid with 21 degrees of freedom, height 2 feet, used for educational robotics demonstrations.

Industrial Robotics

India is a growing market for industrial robots. The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) ranks India 9th globally in robot installations, with automotive and electronics sectors leading. Key policy support:

  • Government's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for robotics components aims to build domestic manufacturing
  • The National Mission on Transformative Mobility envisions robotics in EV manufacturing

Healthcare Robotics

  • SSI Mantra Surgical Robotic System: India's first indigenous surgical robotic platform, developed by SS Innovations, received CDSCO approval in 2023. Enables minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries at lower cost than imported Da Vinci systems.
  • Yantra Health Robotics and startups from IIT and IISc ecosystem are developing rehabilitation, prosthetics, and remote surgery robots.

4.2 Nanotechnology

What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter at the scale of 1–100 nanometers (1 nm = 10⁻⁹ meters, roughly 10 atoms wide) to create materials and devices with novel properties. At nanoscale, quantum effects dominate and surface-area-to-volume ratios are exceptionally high.

India's Nano Mission

Launched in 2007 under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Nano Mission is India's flagship programme for nanotechnology R&D. Key details:

  • Phase I Budget: Rs 1,000 crore (2007–2017)
  • Phase II: Continued under NanoSafe and advanced applications
  • Objectives: Basic research in nanoscience, development of nanotechnology products, human resource development, international collaboration
  • Key Centres:
    • Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at IISc Bangalore
    • Centre for Nanoscience at IIT Bombay
    • National Centre for Nano Structured Materials (NCNSM) at CSIR-NCL, Pune

Applications in India

Healthcare: Nano-drug delivery systems (liposome-based, polymer nanoparticles) for targeted cancer therapy. CSIR-IGIB developed FelUDA — a CRISPR-Cas9-based nanotechnology-assisted COVID-19 test cheaper and faster than RT-PCR. Nano-silver coatings on medical devices provide antimicrobial properties.

Agriculture: Nano-fertilizers (nano zinc oxide, nano NPK) for controlled nutrient release — reduce input by 50% while maintaining yield. Nano-pesticides with targeted delivery reduce environmental toxicity. ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) has ongoing nano-agri programmes.

Environment: Nano-adsorbents (nano zerovalent iron, carbon nanotubes) for water purification — removal of heavy metals like arsenic and fluoride from groundwater. Nano-enabled solar cells (perovskite) for higher efficiency photovoltaics.

Carbon Nanomaterials (PYQ 2023 — Q23)

  • Fullerenes (C60, Buckyballs): Discovered 1985, spherical allotrope of carbon — 60 carbon atoms in a soccer-ball configuration. Applications in drug delivery, lubricants, and superconductors.
  • Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs): Rolled graphene sheets into cylinders — single-walled (SWCNT) or multi-walled (MWCNT). Exceptional tensile strength (100× steel) and electrical conductivity. Used in composites, transistors, and biomedical scaffolds.
  • Graphene: Single layer of carbon atoms in hexagonal lattice — the thinnest, strongest, and most conductive material known. India has graphene research clusters at IIT Delhi, IIT Mumbai, and JNCASR Bangalore.