The Union Cabinet has given the green light to the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). Overseen by the Department of Science & Technology, the five-year mission spans the entire country, encompassing Central Ministries, State Governments, Industry, and Academia.
Cyber-Physical Systems in a Nutshell
Cyber-physical systems merge sensing, computation, control, and networking with physical objects and infrastructure. They connect these objects to the Internet and to each other. These systems offer a wealth of potential applications, such as driverless cars that communicate securely on smart roads, in-home sensors that detect health changes, and improved agricultural practices. Moreover, they enable scientists to tackle issues arising from climate change. The evolution in cyber-physical systems will result in capability, adaptability, scalability, resilience, safety, security, and usability far surpassing today’s simple embedded systems.
NM-ICPS Objective
The comprehensive NM-ICPS focuses on technology development, application development, human resource and skill enhancement, entrepreneurship, and start-up growth in Cyber Physical System (CPS) and associated technologies. The Mission strives to establish 15 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIH), six Application Innovation Hubs (AIH), and four Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRP). These facilities will collaborate with Academics, Industry, Central Ministries, and State Government to devise solutions at prestigious academic, R&D, and other institutions nationwide via a hub and spoke model. Four focal areas guide the Mission’s implementation: Technology Development, HRD & Skill Development, Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Start-ups Ecosystem Development, and International Collaborations.
Background
Associated CPS technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (Al), the Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DP), and Big Data Analytics pervade almost all sectors. Hence, it’s crucial for the government and industries to embrace these ground-breaking, disruptive technologies to maintain competitiveness, spur societal progress, generate jobs, stimulate economic growth, and enhance overall quality of life and environmental sustainability.
| CPS Technology | Role |
|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence | Influences almost every field of human endeavour. |
| Internet of Things | Plays a transformative role in all sectors. |
| Machine Learning | Crucial for maintaining competitiveness and driving societal progress. |
| Deep Learning and Big Data Analytics | Generates employment and fosters economic growth. |
The Impact of CPS Technologies
CPS technologies underpin a nation’s scientific, engineering, and technological innovative capabilities. They support other government missions, foster industrial and economic competitiveness and have emerged as a strategic resource. The proposed mission will serve as a growth engine, benefiting national initiatives in fields like health, education, energy, environment, agriculture, strategic cum security, and industrial sectors. Additionally, it supports Industry 4.0, SMART Cities, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and more. CPS, an integrated upcoming technology system, is gaining priority among countries seeking development.
Job Opportunities and Skill Requirements
By focusing on advanced skill imparting and generating skilled manpower to meet the industry/society needs, the Mission will enhance job opportunities. It is estimated that about 40,000 jobs will be created in the short term and about 200,000 in the long term. Leveraging CPS will indeed cause a paradigm shift in the entire skill set requirement.
