Republic Day 2022: IIT Delhi startup behind drone show at Beating Retreat ceremony

NEW DELHI: The ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony, which marks the end of the Republic Day celebrations, witnessed a drone show by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi-incubated startup Botlab Dynamics. The ceremony is conducted every year on January 29 at Vijay Chowk, Delhi.

The drone show included about 1,000 drones coordinating to make a colourful display of different formations such as the globe, map of India, Indian flag and so on. The show lasted for about 10 minutes.

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“The dazzling drone show stole the limelight at the Raisina Hills today,” said union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan in a Twitter post. He said that he is happy and proud to know that these drones, made in India, were produced by a startup incubated at IIT Delhi.

The dazzling drone show stole the limelight at the Raisina Hills today.

What makes me more happy and proud is that these #MadeInIndia drones are a brainchild of a start-up incubated at @iitdelhi .

Salute the innovative capital and entrepreneurial spirit of #NewIndia . pic.twitter.com/j9auMvSJkM

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 29, 2022

IIT Delhi startup BotLab Dynamics

BotLab is a startup incubated at Technology Business Incubator at IIT Delhi. According to the BotLab website, the company focuses on drone use in media and entertainment, as well as defence. “We are building drone technology solutions by designing both hardware and software in-house,” it claims.

Kudos!!!!!!! to Team @BotLabDynamics for putting up a great show at the #BeatingRetreat2022 ceremony today, one of its kind, to be remembered for generations to come. @tdbgoi is proud to be associated with the you. #BotlabDynamics #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav #JaiHind pic.twitter.com/MIKX7vjBoa

— Technology Development Board (@tdbgoi) January 29, 2022

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Beating the Retreat ceremony is a military tradition that dates back to 17th century England. It marks the end of a day of combat.