Bangalore, November 6, 2023: Indian drone industry players have  announced  multiple initiatives in recent days. Here is a consolidated report.
Magellanic Cloud launches its Drone Command-and-Control centre in Bangalore
Magellanic Cloud Limited (BSE: MCloud) has launched its state-of-the-art Drone Command and Control centre in Bengaluru. Operating under the management of  its  subsidiary, ScanDron, this facility will serve as the central hub for supervising and coordinating all drone operations nationwide.
With this command-and-control centre, Magellanic Cloud can deliver up-to-the-minute data on drone flights, weather conditions, and airspace restrictions. The facility is also equipped with state-of-the-art data analysis tools, which enable it to scrutinise details from drone missions, enhance routes, flight times, and security, as well as ensure compliance standards to safeguard data and allocate resources for optimal efficiency. The Bangalore  Drone Command and Control Center seamlessly extends Magellanic Cloud's established strengths into the world of drone technology. This strategic launch is a significant milestone in their journey towards growth and development and will elevate the safety and efficiency of drone operations nationwide.
Says Joseph Sudheer Reddy Thumma, CEO of Magellanic Cloud: “The launch of our Bangalore control and command centre brings a synergy between our e-surveillance and drone business. This will ensure that clients receive the highest quality services and solutions backed by a wealth of experience. Magellanic Cloud is already an expert in e-surveillance, with a central command center in Hyderabad that oversees 20,000 ATMs and banking sites across the country. By making use of technology and automation to build efficiency and scale production, the company has achieved a fivefold growth from production to commissioning in its e-surveillance business.”
ideaForge launches ‘Service on Wheels’ programme
ideaForge Technology Limited, a leading global drone technology and manufacturing company  has launched its  'Service on Wheels' programme.  It  is designed to provide an exceptional door-to-door service experience to its valued customers.
The Service on Wheels' programme represents a groundbreaking approach to customer support. This initiative introduces a fleet of service trucks, specially customized to cater to customers in areas where ideaForge's service centers are yet to be established or are geographically distant. Primarily targeting hilly and remote regions, these mobile service centers aim to enhance the service and  timely assistance to ideaForge’s customers.
The 'Service on Wheels' programme features pickup trucks that have been transformed into mobile service units catering to the specific requirements of ideaForge's Customer Support and Success (CSS) team. These trucks are initially deployed in the Leh Ladakh and North-East regions, where they will be operated for a minimum of three months to assess their performance and will be subsequently expanded to additional locations in India with large installed base or limited access. 
The main challenges/pain point for the customers in remote areas has been Road, Rail, and Air Connectivity. These service trucks can reach areas with poor or limited road, rail, or air connectivity, providing on-the-ground support despite transportation challenges. With the mobile units stationed in the target areas, transit time is significantly reduced, leading to faster response time and quicker issue resolution. The mobile units are also equipped with alternative power sources such as generators to ensure uninterrupted service even in areas with unreliable power supply. They are further designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, ensuring that they can operate in areas prone to extreme weather.
These specialized service trucks are equipped to transport our Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and carry essential tools for on-site servicing. Whether it's traveling to a customer's location for repairs, picking up UAVs for service at ideaForge service centres, or even delivering new UAVs, the 'Service on Wheels' program is designed for maximum convenience.
By reducing the operational and delivery times of ideaForge's CSS team, this initiative will significantly enhance customer service and the overall user experience. With this mobile solution, customers can expect swifter, more efficient servicing, no matter where they are located.
 "We are dedicated to constantly improving our services and ensuring our customers' satisfaction, said Amol Suryawanshi, Senior Director Operations, ideaForge Technology Limited. The 'Service on Wheels' programme is a testament to our commitment to address the need of the hour with our offerings. By delivering our services directly to the customer's doorstep, we aim to set new industry standards and redefine the experience of drone ownership."
DroneAcharya and Whistling Woods have launched drone-centric courses for filmmaking
DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations Limited, India's first Listed Drone Startup and a DGCA certified drone training organization has collaborated with Whistling Woods International to unveil drone-centric courses in Mumbai.
This collaboration introduces a groundbreaking suite of drone - centric courses that are set to revolutionize the world of film making and cinematography. This exciting collaboration promises to provide aspiring ï¬lmmakers and drone enthusiasts with the knowledge and skills they need to soar to new heights in the industry.
The courses are designed to cater to the diverse interests of students, including Aerial Cinematography, DGCA certified drone pilot training, Geographic Information System (GIS) for Drones, and even Drone Building.
This comprehensive range of offerings ensures that students gain hands-on experience in the field of filmmaking, creating virtual environments through drone surveys for animation and VFX and are well - prepared for a future in the drone industry.
“We’ve had drones as a part of our curriculum for a long time. However, earlier this year, the Central Government announced the liberalized Drone policy for the nation, and in lieu of that, we’ve decided to partner with an organization known as DroneAcharya, which is a publicly listed company, to set up programs specifically meant for drone courses,” said Chaitanya Chinchlikar, Vice President, Business Head, CTO & Emerging Media Head at Whistling Woods International. 
Prateek Srivastava, Founder & Managing Director of DroneAcharya, commented, "This partnership with Whistling Woods International is a giant leap forward in our mission to democratize drone education in India."

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