Make In India : Indian Institute of Technology develops “Smart Jacket” for Indian Army

Make In India : Indian Institute of Technology develops “Smart Jacket” for Indian Army

The Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-D) is developing a ‘Smart and Intelligent Soldiers Jacket’ with unique features and design in collaboration with the Defence Research and Defence Organization (DRDO).

The jacket will have integrated interconnects, antennas, sensors and chips. It will be lighter in weight and lower in price compared to the current one.

The Joint Advanced Technology Centre of IIT, established by DRDO, has a research vertical, Smart and Intelligent Textile, under which more than a dozen researchers have been working for a month to create the smart jacket for the Indian Army.

The project is in the initial stage. Its time period is five years but our target is to get the jackets ready by the next three years,” said Anuj Dhawan, professor-in-charge of the project. 

The jacket will be developed in three phases. In the first stage, the scientist will develop textile based flexible circuit boards and multi-chip modules. Next, modelling, fabrication and testing of different types of radio frequency and microwave antennas on textile-based and polymeric substrates will take place.

Finally, several kinds of sensors will be developed and integrated on the textiles, says the proposal design. Features like signal processing chip, chemical sensor, communication chip etc. will help the soldiers in mobility, detecting threats and communication.

“These features will be very helpful to the soldiers in every circumstance. For instance, the gas sensors will help detect the gases and identify their type.

Through communication chips, soldiers can pass on messages and at times of emergency, inform the other soldiers or seek help,” said an official.

Hi-Tech Gear

1.Integrated interconnects and antennas
2.Heat insulated
3.Sensors for physiological monitoring of the soldier wearing it, the environment around him
4.Gas sensors to help detect gases and identify their type etc.
5.Communication chips to help soldiers pass on messages or seek help in times of emergency
6.Signal processing chip, chemical sensor, batteries etc.