The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS)

Why in news?

The innovation hubs established under NM-ICPS are expected to move towards self-funding through commercialization as part of their financial autonomy journey.

What is Cyber Physical Systems (CPS)?

• Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) is merging of physical world with computational systems, primarily developed to monitor and control the physical devices in the systems.
• Intelligent decision-making – CPS enables immediate responses to changing physical conditions by real-time data from sensors.
• Automation – It makes the machines capable of making autonomous decisions, adapting to changing conditions, and optimize their performance.
• Industry application – This interaction between digital and physical component has application across various industries like manufacturing, healthcare, transportation and smart energy grid.

What is National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems?

• Aim – To coordinate all stakeholders by establishing strong linkages between academia, industry, Government and International Organizations.
• Launch – In December 2018 with a budget outlay of 3,660 crore.
• Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHS) – This mission has setup 25 TIHS in reputed institutes across the country covering areas like AI, Machine Learning, Robotics, Cyber security, Data Science, Quantum Technologies and so on.
• Ministry – Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology.
• Mission objectives:

• It aims to establish India as a global leader in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS).
• To develop technologies, prototypes and demonstrate associated applications pertaining to national priorities.
• To translate existing research into high technology readiness level (TRL), market-ready products.
• Collaborating with the startup ecosystem, industrial sectors and governmental organizations to bring out technological solutions for people-centric problems.
• To establish and strengthen the international collaboration.
• Incentivize private participation to execution of pilot scale research projects.

What are the key achievements of this mission?

• Innovation and startup incubation – In just 6 years, over 1,500 new technologies and tech products from over 650 startups.
• Employment generation – The mission has provided over 16,000 jobs and over 1.5 lakhs people trained in entrepreneurship.
• Plug and play testbeds – Creation of testbeds in India for autonomous navigation and security operations of critical infrastructure.

A test bed is a platform or facility for testing new technologies, scientific theories, or computing tools in a realistic environment.

• Self-reliance – In emerging technologies to develop and maintain one's own capabilities, technologies and expertise without relying on external assistance.
• Digital Entomologist – AI-powered Livestock Management System developed by Awadh IIT Ropar.
• Nano bubble Technology for water treatment – Nanobubbles are smaller than human hair and remain in the water for longer periods of time, providing direct oxygenation.
• It can help treat water contaminants and disinfect waterways without chemicals.
• First biodiversity index – To describe the amount of species diversity in a given area and is estimated using solar-powered biodiversity sensors.
• Drone-swarming technology – Is a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and human intelligence that allows multiple drones to work together to complete tasks.
• Secure IoT – India’s first commercial chip designed for IoT devices like smartwatches, connected meters, and EV battery management systems.
• Built on the Shakti Processor, the chip offers a 30% cost reduction.
• Ayusynk – It enables recording and real-time transmission of heart and lung sounds that can be amplified and used in remote settings as well as for telemedicine applications.
• It is developed by Ayu Device a startup under IIT Bombay is a digital stethoscope offers a user-friendly, affordable diagnostic tool.
• IT-OT Security Operations – It offers 24/7 cyber threat protection and is implemented at the National Highways Authority of India.

What lies ahead?

• Make in India as a global leader in CPS technologies, to boost economic growth, self-reliance, and societal well-being.
• Commercialization of Technology Innovation Hubs to make them self-funding which enhances their financial autonomy.
• Incentivize Indian industry to fund and co-create their next innovations from these hubs.

Reference

       The Indian express| India’s cyber-physical hubs