India's First Amphibious Drone Launched
Bengaluru-based AquaAirX has launched "Avataar," India's first amphibious drone capable of operating in the air and underwater. The TRL-6 prototype, designed for naval security and inspections, was funded with ₹12.5 crore from Zerodha's Rainmatter.
The funding round included participation from Prime Venture Partners, Wyser, and India Accelerator, alongside lead investor Rainmatter. AquaAirX was founded by Gouthami TS and Jitendra Kumar Purnmal Saini, who serve as CEO and CTO, respectively. The fresh capital is earmarked for enhancing the drone's core technology, including its autonomy, sensing, and communication systems. Funds will also be used to expand the engineering and research teams and to pursue the necessary testing and validation for defence-grade certification. "Avataar" features a carbon fibre body and specialized coatings to protect against saltwater corrosion, with a mandatory freshwater rinse after each mission to ensure longevity. For underwater navigation and mapping where cameras are ineffective, the drone uses a system of sound pulses similar to sonar; it communicates with its base via acoustic signals. Achieving Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL-6) signifies that the drone is no longer a laboratory concept but a fully functional prototype tested in a relevant operational environment like open water. This stage proves the technology can withstand real-world operational stresses such as varying water pressures and currents. The platform is designed to eliminate the need for separate aerial and underwater drones for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Beyond defence, potential commercial applications include offshore infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, and disaster response. In addition to the amphibious "Avataar," AquaAirX is also developing a Hovering Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (HAUV) designed for high-precision inspection and monitoring of subsea assets. The company aims to begin manufacturing and enter both defence and commercial markets by 2027. The startup has also gained international recognition through its selection for the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) NeuSPHERE program and has cleared multiple milestones under India's iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) initiative.
