Successful Two-Day Workshop on Drone Tech at GHRCEM, Pune

The Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering at G H Raisoni College of Engineering & Management (GHRCEM), Pune, in collaboration with the IETE Professional Activity Centre under the Centre for Drone Technology, successfully hosted a two-day hands-on workshop titled “Drone Workshop to Build, Program & Fly” on September 3–4, 2025. Held at Lab A207 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, the workshop attracted 60 participants from five esteemed IETE Student Forums (ISFs) in the eastern Pune region, including:

·         JSPM’s Bhivrabai Sawant Institute of Technology and Research, Wagholi, Pune

·         Marathwada Mitra Mandal Institute of Technology, Lohgaon, Pune

·         Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune

·         G H Raisoni International Skill Tech University, Yerwada, Pune

·         G H Raisoni College of Engineering and Management, Pune

Out of the registered participants, 45 students and 10 coordinators successfully completed all workshop activities, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge drone technology.

 The workshop aimed to introduce participants to advanced control strategies in robotics and their applications in fields such as biomedical robotics, defense, autonomous systems, and industrial automation. The event combined theoretical sessions, live demonstrations, and practical activities to provide a comprehensive learning experience.

Day 1: Inauguration and Technical Sessions

The workshop commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr. N.B. Hulle, Director of GHRCEM, Pune, followed by remarks from Dr. A.D. Bhoi, Head of the Department, who emphasized the critical role of intelligent controller design in the future of robotics. The event was inaugurated by distinguished guests from Aerobott-Dronetech Solution Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai: Mrs. Arpana Mishra (Co-Founder), Mr. Mathew Kuruvilla (Production Head), and Mr. Prashant Pawar (Senior UAV Engineer), who highlighted the vast opportunities in drone technology.

Dr. Sandeep D. Hanwate, the workshop convener, outlined the objectives and structure of the event. The first technical session, led by Mrs. Arpana Mishra, explored “Drone Technology: Future Applications and Opportunities,” offering insights into industrial case studies. Dr. Hanwate followed with an engaging session on drone aerodynamics, using a paper plane activity to illustrate key concepts, and discussed drone components, types, and applications.

In the afternoon, Mr. Kuruvilla and Mr. Pawar conducted an outdoor demonstration of industrial drone applications, covering communication systems, challenges, and design guidelines. Participants then assembled nano drones (Pluto 1.2 and Pluto X) under the guidance of student coordinators, configuring, calibrating, and flying their drones. Interactive Q&A sessions reflected the participants’ enthusiasm for practical applications.

Day 2: DGCA Guidelines and Project Implementation

The second day began with a hands-on session using the FLYSKY drone simulator, where participants practiced simulation techniques and software interfacing. Dr. Hanwate recapped the previous day’s learnings and introduced India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) guidelines, emphasizing legal drone operations and permissible flying zones in India.

Participants were divided into six groups of 6–8 members, each tasked with designing and demonstrating drone applications using Pluto X or Pluto 1.2 drones. Using PlutoBlock software, they programmed and loaded hex files onto the nano drones via Wi-Fi, developing innovative projects such as:

·         Turtle Turn

·         Temperature-Reactive Drone

·         Fly Acro

·         Phone Clone

·         Chuck to Arm

·         Open Sesame

All groups showcased their projects, fostering an interactive and collaborative learning environment.

Valedictory Ceremony and Feedback

The workshop concluded with a valedictory ceremony, where Dr. A.D. Bhoi and Dr. S.K. Waghmare distributed certificates to participants. Feedback highlighted the workshop’s well-structured blend of theory, demonstrations, and hands-on practice, with participants expressing enthusiasm for future advanced workshops.

The organizing committee extends heartfelt gratitude to all participants, coordinators, and industry partners for making the workshop a resounding success.