Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar has joined forces with Odisha's Coratia Technologies Private Limited to engage in joint research and create cutting-edge underwater communication systems and robotic platforms, which could be useful in defence, maritime security, infrastructure monitoring, and ocean exploration.

The IIT specializes in underwater acoustic communication and signal processing, whereas Coratia Technologies is recognized for creating and developing unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). They will create local systems and connect laboratory research with industry-ready solutions in a technology sector vital for India's strategic and maritime needs.

As per the contract signed on Friday, the emphasis will be on creating reliable and high-data-rate underwater communication systems, which encounter significant technological difficulties as radio-frequency signals struggle to propagate effectively through water.

Underwater communication primarily depends on acoustic technologies, with elements like signal attenuation, ambient noise, multipath propagation, and varying underwater conditions influencing the reliability and speed of data transfer.

The partnership seeks to tackle several of these issues by merging progress in acoustic communication and signal processing with the practical needs that come from underwater robotic activities. The two organizations will also collaborate on incorporating advanced communication systems with underwater vehicles to facilitate more dependable data transmission, oversight, and management during underwater operations.

In addition to research and design, the collaboration plans for shared technology development, prototyping, testing, and field validation to expedite the conversion of indigenous technologies into functional systems.

This might enhance the abilities of underwater vehicles to perform inspection, surveillance, data gathering, and other tasks in settings where human involvement is challenging, costly, or possibly dangerous.

The technologies created through this collaboration may be utilized for inspecting and monitoring essential underwater infrastructure, such as dams, bridges, ports, pipelines, and offshore facilities.

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Additional possible fields encompass defense and security, ocean exploration, disaster response, and scientific investigation. Dependable underwater communication and autonomous robotic systems are essential for monitoring underwater infrastructure, performing seabed assessments, and gathering oceanographic information.

Debendra Pradhan, co-founder and CEO of Coratia Technologies, stated that enhancing India’s underwater technology skills necessitates strong cooperation between industry and educational institutions.