TEXMiN Foundation, the Technology Translation Research Park under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aarav Unmanned Systems Private Limited (Aereo) to establish a dedicated Centre of Excellence for Aerial Intelligence in Mining and Infrastructure. The agreement was formalised during the Industry–Institute Interaction 2026 (III–2026) Conclave and Exhibition, organised by Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR), and TEXMiN, under the aegis of the III–2026 initiative commemorating the centenary anniversary of IIT (ISM).
The MoU establishes a strategic framework for cooperation between TEXMiN, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and Aereo to operationalise the “TEXMiN–Aereo Aerial Intelligence in Mining Centre of Excellence (TAaIM).” The initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of drone technologies, artificial intelligence-driven analytics, and digital workflows across the mining and infrastructure sectors.
Under the partnership, TEXMiN and Aereo will collaborate on joint technology development, translational research, pilot projects, and industry-sponsored initiatives focused on mining digitalisation, automation, and aerial intelligence. The collaboration will follow a joint funding model and include participation in national and international tenders, sponsored R&D programmes, innovation challenges, and consultancy assignments aligned with the Centre’s objectives.
The Centre of Excellence is envisioned as a state-of-the-art infrastructure hub for collaborative research, solution validation, live demonstrations, and industry-oriented training programmes. The key focus areas include developing digital mining solutions leveraging drones, AI/ML tools, advanced analytics, and decision-support systems. Both organisations will co-develop prototypes and operational workflows for mine planning, monitoring, safety management, and environmental compliance.
Prof Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Chairman of the Hub Governing Board of TEXMiN Foundation, described the MoU as a significant step toward integrating aerial intelligence into core mining and infrastructure operations. He said the Centre of Excellence would provide a structured platform for research translation, industry-scale validation, and deployment of drone- and AI-enabled technologies, aligning with the institute’s vision of enabling safe, smart, and sustainable mining through advanced cyber-physical systems.
Prof Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Project Director of TEXMiN, noted that the CoE–AeroMine would bridge laboratory innovation and field implementation. He emphasised that through joint development, pilot demonstrations, and active industry participation, the initiative seeks to accelerate digital transformation in mining while strengthening India’s capabilities in indigenous aerial intelligence solutions.
Vipul Singh, Co-founder and CEO of Aereo, said the company is proud to collaborate with TEXMiN and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad in establishing the Centre of Excellence dedicated to aerial intelligence in mining and infrastructure. He added that combining Aereo’s expertise in drone-based data acquisition and analytics with TEXMiN’s mining technology capabilities would enable the development of scalable, data-driven solutions to improve productivity, safety, and environmental oversight across industrial operations.
The collaboration will also focus on deploying jointly developed solutions at partner mines across public sector undertakings and private organisations. Controlled testbeds will be established at the Centre of Excellence for benchmarking, validation, and stakeholder demonstrations. The MoU further includes provisions for joint intellectual property creation, as well as structured mechanisms for technology validation, commercialisation, and licensing through mutually agreed frameworks.
In addition to technology development, the CoE–AeroMine will design and deliver Continuous Professional Development programmes, executive education modules, hackathons, internships, student projects, and faculty–industry exchange initiatives aimed at building future-ready talent in aerial intelligence and digital mining technologies.
The partnership is expected to strengthen India’s digital mining ecosystem by fostering innovation, enabling real-world validation environments, and supporting industry-wide technology adoption. The Centre will also engage mining PSUs, private operators, policymakers, and global partners through workshops, seminars, and outreach programmes to drive broader sectoral transformation.
