Chandigarh: 17th March, 2024:- Punjab Engineering College (PEC) proudly organized DroneVerse 2024, a prestigious national seminar and flying competition for fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, held from March 15 to 16, 2024. The event was supported by SoFly Innovations, TEQIP, DRDO, and PEC Chandigarh, in association with the Aeronautical Society of India. The event brought together participants from across the country to showcase their skills and knowledge in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). 

The two days event commenced with the floral welcome of the dignitaries by Dr. Baldev Setia, Director of PEC, Chandigarh, followed by the ceremonial lighting of Maa Saraswati. The guests were honored with mementos as a token of appreciation. Thereafter, Dr. Baldev Setia, Director of PEC Chandigarh, shared insights into the Department of Aerospace Engineering and paid homage to the pioneering efforts of the Wright brothers in aviation history. 

The seminar featured four distinguished speakers who delivered insightful presentations on various aspects of UAV technology. Dr. Shyam Chetty, former Director of CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratory, Bangalore, and the chief guest of the event, discussed "Atma Nirbharta in Indian Aeronautics: The Doom to Boom Story," highlighting India's journey towards self-reliance in the field of aeronautics. Dr. A.K. Ghosh, Concept Design and Consultant at Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Bangalore, and former Head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Kanpur and Guest of Honour of the event, shared his expertise on "Drone Preparing for Certification," shedding light on the certification processes for UAVs. Sh. Sudhir Dhamija, Scientist E at DGRE, Chandigarh, explored the "Applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Natural Hazard Management and Mitigation," showcasing the potential of UAVs in disaster management. Dr. Shashi Poddar, Principal Scientist at CSIR-CSIO, Chandigarh, discussed key advancements in drone technology and its future prospects. 

A total of 12 teams from across India participated in the event, showcasing their skills in poster presentations and the qualifying rounds for fixed-wing and rotary wing competitions. On the second day, participants demonstrated various flight maneuvers for UAVs, including formation flying, navigating tricky areas, and autonomous flight testing. The competition, organized by the faculty of aerospace engineering, featured a series of challenging flight maneuvers for UAVs, including 8 formation flying, navigating through tricky areas, and autonomous flight testing. The coordination of the event was led by Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Head of the Aerospace Engineering Department; Dr. Poonam Saini, Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering; and Vivek Kalotra, Honorary Secretary and Regional Director of RCMA Chandigarh. 

The Poster Presentation winners of DroneVerse 2024 showcased exceptional creativity and innovation in their projects. Team Wizard from Lovely Professional University secured the first prize for their outstanding work, demonstrating a deep understanding of aeronautics concepts. The second prize went to Team WRise from UPES Dehradun, whose project demonstrated practical applications and relevance to the field. Team Skyhawks from Chandigarh University clinched the third prize with their insightful research and presentation skills, highlighting the diverse talent and ideas in the aerospace community. 

In the UAV Flying Competition, Team Skyhawks from Chandigarh University emerged as the champions, showcasing exceptional flying skills and technical expertise. Their ability to navigate through challenging flight maneuvers and demonstrate autonomous flight capabilities set them apart from the competition. The second prize was secured by Team Bluebird from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, whose precision and control in flight maneuvers impressed the judges. Team Super Paradise from Punjab State Aeronautical Engineering College, Patiala, secured the third prize with their innovative approach and adaptability in handling UAV flight challenges. 

The winners received prize money totaling 1 lakh along with certificates, recognizing their outstanding achievements in the field of aeronautics. DroneVerse 2024 was a testament to the spirit of innovation and collaboration in the aerospace industry, reaffirming PEC's commitment to excellence in aerospace education and research.