AP State to turn hub of drone technologies

Amaravati: AP Drones Corporation has entered into an MoU to create technical and trained manpower in drone design and manufacture and allied areas and also to utilise machine learning, deep learning and drone-captured imagery.

AP Drones Corporation, a state government initiative represented by chairman Babu A, and University of Texas, represented by Emily Lacy, the Associate director of research, and Value Thought IT Solutions Private limited, represented by N Mahesh, signed the MoU in the presence of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu in New York on Wednesday.  

The CM office informed in a statement that the MoU further aimed to create an eco system R&D centre and manufacturing centre on drones and thereby create startups incorporating them both in Texas and AP. Chandrababu Naidu met several industrial giants and discussed with them investment opportunities in AP. Some companies signed MoUs with the state government on the occasion.  

The Chief Minister met Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, and explored opportunities of collaboration. SB Energy is a joint venture proposed with Softbank group and foxcon group for renewable energy.

The venture has already won a 250 mw solar power project with NTPC in AP.  The Chief Minister also met Sam Kalyanam, executive global business head, IBM Watson Financial Services, and invited the company for collaboration with the Government of AP. It is learnt that Watson has plans for AI and Blockchain outsourcing and regulatory compliance-linked investments in India.