The Start-up Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur, one of India’s oldest and most distinguished technology business incubators founded in 2000, today showcased three pioneering start-ups, VU Dynamics, xTerra Robotics, and Ananant Systems. SIIC, a leader in nurturing start-ups that drive meaningful change, is supported by IIT Kanpur’s resources and expertise. The three start-ups are engaged in developing breakthrough technologies in defense, robotics, and semiconductor infrastructure.

Founded in 2022, VU Dynamics is redefining the potential of aerial platforms for both defense and civilian applications. Co-founder, Dr. Subrahmanyam Saderla, Associate Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur and Dr. Sravanthi Saderla presented VU Dynamics’ flight lab facilities and demonstrated the start-up’s unique capabilities in advanced aerial systems. With a foundation built on extensive R&D at IIT Kanpur, VU Dynamics specializes in developing sophisticated aerial platforms, simulation modules, and advanced surveillance and monitoring systems. Their Kamikaze UAVs have a range of 100 km and are designed to provide front-line support for tactical military operations. These indigenous innovations are meeting critical defense needs, while other surveillance UAVs offer solutions for civilian applications, including digital terrain models (DTMs), digital elevation models (DEMs), and subsurface mapping.

xTerra Robotics is at the forefront of robotics technology in India, focusing on complex challenges in robot locomotion across challenging 3D environments. Mr. Aditya Pratap Singh Rajawat, CEO of XTerra Robotics, along with Professor Shakti S Gupta, Director and Co-founder, and Co-founders Mr. Nimesh Khandelwal, Mr. Avinash Bhaskar, and Mr. Amritanshu Manu, presented the company’s innovative advancements and conducted a live demonstration of the Svan robot in action, showcasing its robustness and adaptability. The Svan robot, a quadruped designed to handle dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks, showcases the potential for robotics to enhance safety and efficiency in industries like oil and gas, power plants, and mining, along with additional security and surveillance opportunities for both civilian and defense purposes. Equipped with real-time data capabilities, Svan also supports critical functions in disaster management, such as search-and-rescue missions in hazardous settings.

Ananant Systems, a visionary player in the semiconductor and wireless systems space, addressed the need for advanced connectivity, computing, and security solutions for 5G and emerging 6G infrastructure. Dr. Chitranjan Singh, the founder of Ananant Systems, presented the progress made in creating indigenously designed and manufactured solutions to meet the nation’s semiconductor demands. With a focus on chip design and semiconductor products, Ananant Systems is currently developing a scalable, software-defined modem designed for base station deployments in 5G and 6G.

Prof. Deepu Philip, Professor-in-Charge of SIIC at IIT Kanpur, praised the impact of these start-ups, stating, “The start-ups incubated at SIIC are developing cutting-edge technologies that address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. From defense applications to automation in hazardous industries and the essential infrastructure for next-generation connectivity, these ventures embody the spirit of innovation and emphasise IIT Kanpur’s commitment to fostering impactful solutions for the benefit of the country and society at large. We envision a continued robust and impactful startup ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh, contributing to the Atma Nirbhar Bharat mission”