INDrone eyes industrial surveillance as next frontier

Hubballi

In the dynamic world of Indian deep-tech, "Beyond Bengaluru" is becoming more than just a tagline; it is a strategic move for sustainability. One company leading this charge from North Karnataka is INDrone Aero Systems. Founded by a team with global exposure and a passion for aeronautics, the startup is carving a niche in high-precision data acquisition for infrastructure and mining. We spoke with Anurag Joshi, Co-founder and Director of INDrone Aero Systems, about his journey from his college to building a bootstrapped drone powerhouse in Hubballi.

Your journey in aeronautics started much earlier than the current drone "boom" in India. Could you walk us through those early days?
Anurag Joshi: My interest in this space was almost inevitable, given my father was in the Air Force. I’ve been involved with drones since 2008-2009, starting with student projects at Jain University. A pivotal moment was in 2009 when our team became the first from India to win a competition sponsored by Lockheed Martin and NASA. That experience pushed me to pursue a Master’s in Aircraft Design at Cranfield University in the UK.

You were in the UK, a global tech hub. What brought you back to India to start INDrone?
Anurag Joshi: While the UK offers incredible technology, the regulatory environment there is extremely stringent. What take six months to develop and test in India might take two years in the UK because of the permissions required just to fly. In 2016, my partner and I realized that India offered the "freedom of building." In rural or farm areas, we could conduct R&D and iterate quickly without being stifled by red tape. We returned in 2016, spent a year on R&D, and officially incorporated INDrone in 2017.

News Trail: INDrone eventually shifted its base from Bengaluru to Hubballi. What prompted that move?
Anurag Joshi: Workforce sustainability drove the shift: Bengaluru struggles with retention, while Hubballi enables long-term talent growth. Employees trained locally stay for years, becoming DGCA-certified pilots and GIS experts, offering stability.

News Trail: Can you explain the core services INDrone provides? It seems you have moved far beyond just "flying cameras."
Anurag Joshi: Exactly. We aren't just capturing images; we are generating "actionable intelligence." We focus on three main sectors: Infrastructure, Energy, and Mining. Using thermal and high-resolution RGB sensors, we create models with extreme accuracy. For projects like IIT Dharwad campus, we deliver monthly updates, enabling managers to remotely measure elevation, volumes, and assets across large sites with on-ground precision.

As a bootstrapped company, how do you view the current "startup culture" compared to the reality of running a tech business?
Anurag Joshi: There is a difference between a "startup" mindset and a "business" mindset. In tier-2 cities, people expect immediate results, but deep-tech R&D takes years. We’ve sustained by focusing on verified data. We follow Survey of India standards, ensuring our geo-fencing and mapping have legal standing. We aren't looking for overnight growth; we are looking to build a reliable, high-precision vertical in the drone industry.

What is next for INDrone?
Anurag Joshi: The company is shifting to industrial surveillance drones, focusing on accuracy, safety, and efficiency, while leveraging streamlined DGCA rules to deliver cost-effective, precise site insights remotely.

What key bridge connects tier-2 innovators with Bengaluru decision-makers?
Anurag Joshi: Beyond Bengaluru, cities like Hubballi offer startups talent stability, better retention, and long-term R&D support, enabling sustainable growth, technical excellence, and stronger local ecosystems over metro advantages.