We had the incredible opportunity to host Dr. Prahlada Ramarao, the distinguished Indian missile scientist and former Director of the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), at IvLabs, VNIT Nagpur. His visit was a moment of great honor and inspiration, as he shared his wisdom and insights with our team.
Dr. Ramarao took a keen interest in our VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) project, engaging in an in-depth discussion with team members Mayank Lonkar, Aiden D’souza, and Sanchet Dhalwar. As we showcased the project’s design, capabilities, and innovations, he was quick to grasp the underlying concepts and provided invaluable feedback. He encouraged us to explore similar projects and emphasized the importance of indigenous development, noting how many critical components, such as motors, are often imported.
Throughout his visit, Dr. Ramarao’s wit, wisdom, and candid feedback provided our team with a fresh perspective on the importance of research and development in aerospace technology. He shared valuable lessons from his extensive experience, emphasizing the need for self-reliance and innovation in the field. His words not only validated our efforts but also motivated us to push the boundaries of our research even further.
One of the highlights of the discussion was his appreciation of our efforts in constructing the VTOL largely from scratch. He was particularly delighted by our use of balsa wood for the wings, a material choice that aligns with lightweight and efficient aerospace designs. When examining our 3D-printed wing parts, he initially assumed we had reinforced them with fiber. However, after learning that the strength came purely from PLA material and its honeycomb geometry, he was genuinely impressed by the innovation and structural integrity we had achieved.
His visit reinforced our belief in the impact of hands-on learning and collaborative research. We are grateful for the opportunity to have interacted with such a visionary and look forward to implementing his insights as we continue our journey in robotics and aerospace technology.
