Astrome, an innovative tech start-up, has recently signed a contract with the Department of Telecommunication to launch a pilot project named “GigaMesh Network Solution.” The project, which is expected to involve 15 villages in India, is aimed at alleviating congestion issues predominately found in rural 4G infrastructure by providing high-tech, affordable internet connectivity.
The GigaMesh solution developed by Astrome is supported by the AI & Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK) and the Technology Innovation Hub at the Indian Institute of Science. The GigaMesh is a network solution that enables fiber-like backhaul capacity wirelessly and prepares the groundwork for a future transition into 5G technology.
As the world’s first multi-beam E-band Radio, the GigaMesh has the impressive capability of interacting with multiple communication towers simultaneously while delivering multi GBPS throughput to each tower. A solo GigaMesh device can provide up to forty links, each boasting a 2+ Gbps capacity and covering a range of ten kilometers. Furthermore, the GigaMesh offers multiple point-to-point communication in E-Band to minimize costs. It’s operative software allows it to be easily deployed, maintained, and repaired remotely.
ARTPARK – An Overview
The AI & Robotics Technology Park, or ARTPARK, is a not-for-profit foundation that was initiated by the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. Its primary purpose is to encourage technological innovation in AI and Robotics.
The AI researchers at ARTPARK, along with the HealthTech start-up Niramai Health Analytix and the Indian Institute of Science, have also developed XraySetu. This platform is capable of interpreting chest X-rays with an astonishing 98.86% sensitivity towards Covid-19 within seconds.
The foundation also hosted the ARTPARK Innovation Summit, a meeting ground for the industry, academia, and government to discuss crucial topics such as next-generation connectivity in rural areas, AI for health, connecting Bharat with drones, inclusive learning for the future, and building an AI and research ecosystem. In addition to this, they took part in the Indian Army’s Unmanned Ground Vehicle experiment showcasing India’s only legged robotic dog.
Potential Application of AI
AI has the potential to be utilized in several domains. In policing, it can help match facial recognition with a central database, predict crime patterns, analyze CCTV footage across the country to identify suspects as the government is digitizing all records into a central place called CCTNS.
With regard to Agriculture, AI helps to scrutinize farm data and factors such as weather conditions, temperature, water usage, and soil conditions can be analyzed to boost farm productivity. Precision agriculture uses AI technology to detect diseases in plants, pests, and poor plant nutrition. AI sensors can spot and target weeds and decide which herbicides to apply within the correct buffer zone.
Honoring the importance of AI in the education sector, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has launched a “Responsible AI for Youth” program. Also, the Central Board of Secondary Education is integrating AI into its school curriculum.
In Healthcare, the application of AI can be beneficial in precision medicine, predicting successful treatment protocols based on various patient attributes and the treatment context. Natural Language Processing (NLP) involves the creation, understanding, and classification of clinical documentation and published research.
Government Initiatives to Improve Rural Connectivity
The National Broadband Mission aims to broaden digital communications infrastructure, bridge the digital divide, and facilitate digital empowerment while providing affordable universal access to broadband. The Ghar Tak Fibre Scheme targets connecting all 45,945 villages in Bihar with high-speed optical fiber. Under this scheme, every village in Bihar is mandated to provide at least five fiber-to-the-home connections and at least one WiFi hotspot per village.
Building a solid rural digital infrastructure should be prioritized by saving resources from moving services online. There should be a balanced focus on creating both an extensive digital infrastructure and developing digital skills among citizens. The National Broadband Mission’s effective implementation and audit should be expedited to provide broadband access to all villages by 2022, thereby enhancing the quality of mobile and internet services.
