The DRDO-Ficci Accelerated Technology Assessment
and Commercialisation (ATAC) Programme reached
a new landmark on Monday with the signing
of six memorandum of understanding (MoU)
between DRDO and leading industry players.
The MoUs will enable transfer of DRDO developed
technologies to the partner industries and,
in turn, make them globally competitive.
The ATAC, a joint initiative of DRDO and
Ficci, is aimed at helping industries to
absorb high-quality DRDO technologies and
apply them commercially to produce quality
and reliable industrial products at an affordable
cost to the consumer.
The industries that signed the agreements
with DRDO include: Jyothy Laboratories and
Alkali Metals for multi-insect repellant
based on DEPA; Jyothy Laboratories for woolcare
; Vantage Security for explosive detection
kit; Deltapure Water India Ltd. and Ariva
Group for RO based Water Purification System;
MGM Associates for High Altitude Pulmonary
Oedema (HAPO) Chamber and GSC Glass for
electrochromic window.
These agreements were inked in the presence
minister of state for defence MM Pallam
Raju, Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, DG, DRDO
and secretary, defence R&D; Dr. Prahlada,
chief controller, R&D (Services Interaction),
DRDO; and Dr Amit Mitra, secretary general,
Ficci.
DRDO labs have been undertaking a large
number of projects in wide-ranging areas
of science & tech related to the Indian
Armed Forces.
Though the end products are for military
use, many of the technologies that are developed
to realise these systems can have civilian
applications. These technologies and products
may have large commercial potential and
wide application in India and abroad.
However, many industries are keen on new
scientific inputs and processes for expanding
their business.
To unearth the hidden potential in the
commercial market, DRDO through Ficci, launched
the ATAC programme.
This commercialization process is aimed
at filling the technology gap in Indian
industries.
‘‘A proposal for providing incentives
to scientists who are behind these innovations
is also on the anvil and DRDO hopes to introduce
it soon,’’ said Dr Vijay Kumar
Saraswat, DG, DRDO and secretary, defence
R&D.
The industry body has established a Centre
for Technology Commercialisation to provide
an organized structure to link the mind
to the market. The Centre will be supported
by the IC2 Institute at the University of
Texas at Austin. All activities of technology
assessment and commercialization at Ficci
could be undertaken as part of this Centre.
According to Mitra, "We would be supporting
all public and private funded research organizations
under this. We...