Call for Applications: iCreate Drone Challenge 2025 (India)

Drone type: Micro/Small/Medium/Large. Fuel type: Electric/Non-electric.

Track 1: Aerial Excellence. Theme 1: Speed Challenge – The Velocity Sprint. Objective: To design, build, and demonstrate the fastest drone possible. Focus areas: Aerodynamics, propulsion efficiency, material science, and controller stability at high velocity. Theme 2: Payload Challenge – The Power Lift. Objective: To create a drone capable of achieving the highest possible payload-to-weight ratio. Focus areas: Powertrain efficiency, structural strength, load distribution, lightweight composites. Theme 3: Endurance Challenge – The Aether Marathon. Objective: To create a drone capable of achieving the longest possible flight time on a single charge or refuel. Focus areas: Energy density (batteries/fuel cells), powertrain efficiency, lightweight structures, energy management systems.

Track 2: Component Indigenisation. Theme 1: Propulsion & Power Systems. Problem: Limited availability of efficient, lightweight, high-torque motors, ESCs, and propellers. Focus Areas: Indigenous motors, ESCs, propeller systems. Example: High-performance motor with optimised torque-to-weight ratio and custom ESC firmware. Theme 2: Energy Systems. Problem: Short flight endurance and safety risks in conventional battery packs. Focus Areas: Next-gen batteries (solid-state, LTO), hydrogen fuel cells, smart BMS. Example: Solid-state battery, Smart Battery Management System; hydrogen fuel cell with lightweight storage and efficient power management. Theme 3: Avionics & Autonomy. Problem: Dependence on non-customisable controllers and lack of secure, AI-driven autonomy. Focus Areas: Indigenous flight controllers, communication systems, navigation, AI/ML autonomy. Example: Flight controller with AI-based obstacle avoidance and secure navigation module. Theme 4: Sensors & Payloads. Problem: High cost and limited access to modular, mission-specific sensors. Focus Areas: Affordable, modular payloads – imaging, LIDAR, thermal, multispectral. Example: Affordable multispectral sensor with plug-and-play payload interface. Theme 5: Materials & Structures. Problem: Heavy, costly, non-modular airframes limit scalability and resilience. Focus Areas: Crash-resistant, lightweight composites, modular frames. Example: Modular composite frame with high strength-to-weight ratio. Theme 6: Agility Challenge (Thrust Vectoring). Problem: Limited agility and stability in extreme conditions due to reliance on propeller speed alone. Focus Areas: Thrust-vectoring systems for advanced manoeuvrability and stability. Example: Tilt-rotor multirotor enabling inverted flight, wall-contact manoeuvres, and precise orientation control.

This challenge goes beyond competition, serving as a launchpad for innovators, engineering students, startups, and R&D teams across India who want to redefine drone possibilities. By focusing on speed, payload capacity, and endurance, it accelerates India’s vision of becoming a global drone hub by 2030.

Participants will gain extensive benefits including the opportunity to pitch for a funding pool of Rs 2 crore from iCreate, free access to a fully residential prototype acceleration programme, state-of-the-art lab facilities, rapid prototyping resources, software credits for design and simulation, and expert guidance in business modelling and IP strategy. Additional support includes mentorship, industry connections, sourcing assistance, paid pilots with industry and government, incubation opportunities, and exposure to investors and corporate partners.

Applications require a team profile, technical details, and a pitch deck, with a preliminary prototype or concept video strongly recommended. Eligibility is open to startups, innovators, student teams, and R&D groups registered in India who can demonstrate their prototypes at zonal qualifier rounds.

For more information, visit iCreate.