Redefining Combat: Transforming Military Operations with Unmanned Systems

This article discusses how the integration of autonomous vehicles in the Indian Armed Forces is aggrandising military capabilities and elevating the safety of operations even further. The article will focus on key advances, challenges, and future potential of unmanned systems in modern warfare.

- Arun Bhardwaj

Integration of autonomous vehicles into the Indian Armed Forces would imply that the country is taking a quantum leap into future military capabilities in accordance with the global trend of modern warfare. Underwater Autonomous Vehicles (UAVs), Autonomous Ground Vehicles (AGVs) and many other autonomous systems would improve operational effectiveness on the battlefield (with low/no human hazard). This article delves into the role, advancements, and potential of unmanned vehicles within the Indian Forces.

Introduction to Autonomous Driving

Autonomous driving, also known as self-driving technology, is built upon several foundational elements that work together to enable a vehicle to operate without human intervention. These foundational elements are often referred to as the "pillars" of autonomous driving. The five key pillars are:

Perception: Perception involves the vehicle's ability to understand its environment using various sensors. These sensors include cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), radar, ultrasonic sensors, and more. The data from these sensors is processed to detect and identify objects, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, and obstacles. Accurate perception is critical for the vehicle to navigate safely and effectively.

Localisation: Localisation refers to the vehicle's ability to accurately determine its position within its environment. This involves using GPS, high-definition maps, and sensor data to understand the vehicle's exact location on the road. Accurate localisation is essential for making precise driving decisions, such as lane-keeping, navigating turns, and understanding the vehicle's position relative to other objects.