Students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have come up with a smart and affordable delivery drone prototype that could change the way parcels are transported in urban and rural India. Built by a group of BTech students from the Department of Electronics Engineering, this unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been designed to carry small loads across short distances with full automation. The drone project is part of their final year innovation initiative and has already gained appreciation within the campus.
I chose to write about this because it’s important to highlight how students from Indian universities are taking real steps toward solving local problems using practical tech. Often, we hear about innovations coming from IITs or abroad, but here we see AMU students applying their learning to design a solution that could be both cost-effective and scalable. With the rising demand for quick deliveries in e-commerce, logistics, and even healthcare (like medicine drops), low-cost drones like this can make a big impact. Plus, such projects show how academic knowledge is being transformed into actual working models—and that’s something worth discussing.
What Makes the AMU Drone Special?
Unlike high-end commercial drones, the AMU prototype is built with affordability and functionality in mind. It uses:
- Carbon fibre and lightweight materials for the body
- GPS-based auto-navigation system
- 6-propeller design for added stability
- Payload support of up to 3 kg, ideal for small package delivery
- Failsafe return-to-home mode to avoid drone loss during signal drop
The team has also ensured that the drone is designed to fly in varying weather conditions and can be modified to suit different industries—from retail parcel delivery to emergency services in remote areas.
Developed by Final Year BTech Students
The project was led by final-year engineering students from AMU’s Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology. According to reports, they spent nearly six months on research, prototyping, and testing. The students used open-source hardware, locally sourced parts, and open-access firmware to make the design accessible and replicable.
Their faculty advisor mentioned that this project is just a first step, and with more support, it can evolve into a market-ready product. What makes the effort stand out is that the students were self-motivated, worked after hours, and tackled real-world challenges like battery optimisation, flight safety, and navigation accuracy.
Why Drones Matter in India
With India’s focus on the ‘Drone Shakti’ mission, the central government has been encouraging drone startups and student innovations. Delivery drones are no longer just concepts—they are being tested for delivering medicines in hilly regions, monitoring crops in farms, and even helping during natural disasters.
This AMU prototype fits right into this larger picture. If this model is refined and commercialised, it could help small businesses, kirana shops, and even NGOs in logistics-heavy operations. For example, in rural areas where roads are poor, a delivery drone can bring essentials faster than a vehicle.
What’s Next for the AMU Drone?
The team plans to present the model in various national-level innovation expos and possibly file for a design patent. They are also looking for government and private partners who can support field trials or invest in further development.
If supported properly, this could open up research and startup opportunities within AMU itself. The university has already expressed interest in supporting more such projects and setting up dedicated labs for drone and robotics research.
