
Team Dhaksha will use Ajith’s expertise to develop and build the drone for one of the most challenging global drone competition.
Madras Institute of Technology’s Team Dhaksha will be participating in the UAV Challenge – Medical Express 2018, to be held in Queensland, Australia, this September. Joining the team is actor Ajith Kumar as their ‘Helicopter Test Pilot and UAV System Advisor’.
The 47-year-old, Kollywood actor is known for bike and car racing. Ajith is trained and licensed pilot, capable of flying a fighter jet.
Team Dhaksha will use Ajith’s expertise to develop and build the drone for one of the most challenging unmanned vehicles that demonstrate the use of robotic aircraft for medical sample retrieval and medical delivery, where teams around the world participate.
Ajith volunteered to be part of the team, and his appointment was cleared on Thursday, 3rd May. He will receive a payment of Rs 1,000 per visit, but the actor has offered to donate it towards the education of MIT’s economically weaker students.
Dr K Senthilkumar, Associate Professor and Director-in-Charge, Centre for Aerospace Research (CASR), told The Hindu, “We have developed an innovative technology and are confident Mr Ajith’s expertise in the design of aerial vehicles will strengthen our mission.”
The challenge for the teams is to attempt to retrieve a blood sample from a remote outback and return it to the base, which will be analysed by medical staff waiting there. Participating teams are encouraged to develop systems that can carry out the mission in a fully autonomous manner.
Here’s wishing Team Daksha and actor Ajith the best for the prestigious competition. We hope they receive the right support and motivation.
(Edited by Shruti Singhal)
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