World’s First WSN System for the Detection and Early Warning of Landslides

What was initially conceptualised as a research project for developing the prototype for the world’s first WSN system for detection and early warning of landslides, later on, became an instrumental factor in saving human lives in areas prone to landslides. This became possible due to the compassion extended by Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, our Chancellor. The funding for the research project was allotted by the European Commission under the FP6 program. The chancellor redefined the trajectory of the project by emphasizing how a real-time deployment of the solution can be channelized to save the lives of many who live in areas prone to landslides. As the initial fund allocated was just enough for the research, the chancellor funded the deployment of the system as an extension of the humanitarian activities carried out by the parent organization, Mata Amritanandamayi Math.

The first-ever deployment was done in Munnar, in the Idukki District of Kerala in the year 2009. In Kerala, 14% of the territory is prone to landslides. In Idukki alone, the statistics are quite alarming as it causes widespread damage to agriculture and housing thereby impacting the lives of many. With the deployment of the system for the detection and early warning of landslides, it has been actively monitoring the area for landslides and has issued advanced landslide warnings in the years 2009, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. It has essentially become a lifeline for this region, during the torrential rains that lash throughout the state. Impressed by the success story, in 2015 in collaboration with the Government of India, Amrita developed a similar system for the Sikkim-Darjeeling region which is very active geologically and is vulnerable to rainfall-induced landslides. Accordingly, our university has deployed the system in collaboration with the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority and is being co-funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India.

Amrita Oceannet – Internet Connectivity to Fishermen at Sea

One of the primary challenges faced by the fishing community in India is that they risk their lives when they go as far as 120 km from the shore on a fishing trip lasting 5-7 days. They are completely cut off from the mainland as cellular coverage exists only up to 12-15 km from the shore. In emergency situations, the fishermen have no way to call for help. Even under normal conditions, prolonged isolation from their family and friends causes mental depression. Since the marine fishermen are not economically well off, especially in developing countries, there has not been much commercial interest in addressing this problem. It is not seen as a profitable business proposition.

As Amma’s ashram is headquartered in the fishing village surrounding the Arabian sea, Amma has personally seen and experienced the hardships faced by the fishing community since a young age. Born out of Amma’s response to ensure the safety of those fishing out in the ocean in the wake of Ockhi cyclone that caused widespread damage to the fishing community, Amma Amrita OceanNet is an affordable wireless communication system that helps the fishermen at sea to stay connected by providing network connectivity up to 60 km. Each boat’s coordinates, speed, and course is tracked on a land-based server with support included for SOS calls.

MICRONet – Mobile Infrastructure for Coastal Region Off-Shore Communications & Networks

The MICRONet project developed and deployed a mobile infrastructure for offshore communications and networking in the coastal regions to ensure effective communication while tackling natural disasters and hazards. MICRONet has been developed to enable cost-effective offshore communication, specifically providing communications and connectivity beyond cellular range, to investigate an array of possibilities suitable for offshore communication as part of the “architecture evaluation” and to realize a low-cost hybrid terrestrial and marine-based solution in a phased manner. The network would enable internet availability on the boat deck through which tracking of boats, VoIP calls, etc. can be accomplished.

Mobile app to connect disaster survivors with relief teams

The 2018 floods in Kerala resulted in widespread devastation with over 100 people being killed and lakhs being displaced. Despite mammoth rescue efforts on a war scale by teams including defense forces, one of the key challenges faced was the inability of the affected people to connect with the rescue teams. This resulted in tens of thousands of people stuck on the higher floors of their houses for days together. 

Amma immediately mobilized the staff and students of the university to start a helpline to assist the people in distress. As an extension of Her efforts to provide additional assistance, under Amma’s guidance, Amrita University launched an Android app named AmritaKripa’ to connect survivors with relief and rescue service providers during the massive floods in Kerala. The app allows users to request for and offer rescue, medical help, shelter, and supplies such as food, clothing, and medicine, as well as services such as water, electricity, and telephone. One can also report people missing, either conscious or unconscious, or dead through the app. The app, which is available in Malayalam and English, uses real-time GPS data to locate users. With the launch of the app during the floods in Kerala, the team along with government and community members were able to locate, rescue, and provide relief to more than 12,000 people in Kerala.

Amrita Unmanned Aerial Systems

In a similar initiative, to address the pressing need for a medical payload dropping solution deployable during disasters like the Kerala floods and the Uttarakhand flash floods that paralysed India, Amrita researchers have embarked on a targeted delivery system carried on a multi-rotor vertical takeoff and landing UAV. This project seeks to draw from the disaster response expertise of the State Disaster Management Authority coupled with aerial robotics engineers at Amrita to deliver a scalable, effective and indigenous solution. So far, the research team has tested over 21 UAV variants, carrying diverse payload sizes and configurations for the endurance of flight.