How AI-Backed Drone Technology Is Unlocking New Possibilities For Industries

Artificial intelligence-powered drone solutions are enhancing operational efficiency, security, and productivity resulting in transformation of defense, industrial, and agricultural sectors. One such breakthrough innovation from a startup shaping the future of various sectors is Hyderabad-based Akin Analytics. Founded in 2022, the startup has brought in critical advancement in border security with the introduction of 125 gm Nano Recon Drone, which provides real-time situational awareness for soldiers.

Founder and CEO of Akin Analytics, Janaki Pulaparthi is a deep-tech entrepreneur and an ISB alumnus with academic foundation in Computer Science Engineering. Pulaparthi has established India’s first Digital Centre of Excellence (RPTO) in Amalapuram, training over 15,000 women from Self-Help Groups as certified drone pilots. She has received the AI Innovation Drone Technology Award at Atal Samman Samaroh 2024, the Technology Entrepreneur Award at Internet 2.0 Conference in Dubai, and recognised as one of the 50 Impactful Women Startup Entrepreneurs by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

Recently, Pulaparthi was listed in Forbes 40 under 40 India Leaders 2025, for her pioneering work in AI-Augmented Drone Analytics. In conversation with Bizz Buzz, Janaki Pulaparthi speaks about her plan for Akin Analytics, challenge and support the deep-tech sector looks forward to further its growth

How did the transition from being a tech-enthusiast to a deep-tech entrepreneur happen?

My journey started with a passion for AI-driven automation and real-time analytics. My career spans across AI, analytics, and drone technology, with experience in real-time data intelligence, AI-driven industrial operations, and drone-based analytics solutions. Over time, I realised that legacy industries like infrastructure, mining, and energy were struggling with data-driven decision-making. This led to the creation of Akin Analytics, where we integrate AI, ML, and drone technology to provide actionable intelligence for businesses.

What led you to establish Akin Analytics?

The core motivation was bridging the data intelligence gap in industries like mining, infrastructure, and defense. Traditional monitoring relied on manual assessment, leading to delays, inefficiencies, and revenue losses. Akin Analytics was founded to offer AI-powered insights using drones and computer vision analytics, enabling businesses to make real-time, accurate, and cost-effective decisions.

How does Akin Analytics differentiate itself in AI-ML-powered drone technology?

Unlike traditional drone startups, Akin Analytics does not just offer drones - we provide an end-to-end AI analytics platform. Our drones are integrated with AI-powered predictive analytics, real-time defect detection, and automated insights generation. Some of the key differentiators include, AI-driven weed detection and precision spraying in agriculture, volumetric analysis and infrastructure monitoring using AI vision models, autonomous flight capabilities with real-time AI-assisted decision-making, and crowd & disaster management through AI-powered surveillance and monitoring, including real-time crowd analysis for the Ganesh Visarjan project in Telangana.

Which are the drones you have manufactured and what are their use cases?

Akin Analytics has developed the Akin Nano Recon Drone, a lightweight, AI-powered surveillance drone used in defense and security operations. Additionally, our Akin 0C Agri Drone is designed for AI-powered precision spraying, crop health monitoring, and weed detection. Other use cases include, in mining for volumetric analysis and haul road safety checks, in the infrastructure sector for real-time asset tracking, defect monitoring, and in defense sector for AI-powered reconnaissance and security surveillance.

Can you provide details about Akin’s presence in the financial, energy/utility, navy, logistics, and industrial sectors?

Yes. Akin Analytics serves multiple industries through our AI-driven analytics platform and drone deployment services. In the Energy and Utilities sector, our AI-based service helps in detecting solar panel defects and monitoring the transmission line. For the Defense and Navy sector our surveillance drones are used for reconnaissance, situational awareness, Hull structure health assessment of the ships in Navy and underwater assessment of narcotics smuggling.

Moreover, AI-based warehouse optimization and infrastructure tracking is achieved in logistics and industry sector through our AI-powered platform. Under the Smart City Living project, the solutions that can be provided include AI-driven mosquito eradication and traffic optimization for urban infrastructure. For the Environment and Forest department, Akin Analytics has rolled out AI-powered forest afforestation and animal count monitoring for conservation efforts. Our other important presence is in the identification of potholes and cracks, wherein we provide analytical reports for predictive road maintenance.

Have you entered the market commercially?

Yes, we have successfully completed pilot projects in mining, infrastructure, and automobile industries. We are now actively working on scaling operations through long-term contracts.

What are the initiatives you have undertaken to impart skilling in drone technology?

Inspired by PM Modi’s vision of the Namo Drone Didi scheme, which aims to empower 15,000 Self-Help Group (SHG) women pilots, we launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Amalapuram, as Andhra Pradesh’s first Medium Drone Institute with cutting-edge technology. We chose Amalapuram because our goal is to make drone skilling accessible to every rural Indian farmer and SHG Didi. Here, we focus on AI-driven aerial mapping, real-time monitoring, and AI-powered precision agriculture applications, enabling women entrepreneurs and farmers to adopt drone technology for sustainable and profitable agribusinesses.

What is the team strength of the startup? Have you raised any investment?

We are a team of more than 20 engineers, AI scientists and drone experts. We are a bootstrapped startup and we are working with prestigious legacy industries and governments. We have operations in Dubai as it is the hub of Infrastructure.

What is the future roadmap, in terms of R&D, expansion of footprint and investment?

The new solutions we have lined-up includes AI-powered Defense Drones and AI-driven Urban Smart City Analytics. At present, our focus in R&D is on developing an Indigenous Flight Controller (FC) for Drones. We are looking at raising new funds to expand operations and manufacturing capabilities. By next quarter we plan to establish a manufacturing unit in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

How is drone technology solution transforming various sectors?

Drone technology powered by AI analytics offers unparalleled efficiency across industries. In the Defense sector, real-time threat can be detected by using AI vision-based surveillance. For the Energy sector, predictive maintenance of solar panels, transmission lines, and power plants can be undertaken. In the Infrastructure sector, AI analytics can be used for large-scale project monitoring, volumetric analysis, and road safety. Another best use case is in the mining industry where AI-powered mine assessments and real-time volumetric calculations can be conducted. Adding value to the Smart City project is AI-driven urban planning, traffic optimization, and crowd management. Now, with the world’s focus on achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, drone technology powered by AI analytics can help in carbon impact analysis, wildlife conservation, and afforestation tracking.

What is your opinion on India's regulatory framework for deep-tech startups and their innovation?

India has made significant strides in drone regulations, but more clarity is needed on data security, indigenous R&D incentives, and AI-based drone approvals. Akin Analytics advocates for simplified policies that encourage deep-tech innovation in AI-powered drone analytics.

What are the challenges that startups like Akin Analytics face, which is hindering the growth and the implementation of their solutions in the Indian market?

The key challenge that needs to be addressed includes regulatory uncertainty, complex licensing process and policy variations. There is a frequent change and inconsistency in drone regulations across industries, requiring multiple approvals from different authorities like DGCA, MoD, and MoEFCC. Additionally, import restriction on key drone components like AI chips, LiDAR and sensors create hurdles in scaling indigenous drone manufacturing. The other major concern is Data Security – for ensuring secure AI analytics processing. While the focus is on Atma Nirbhar Bharat, drone technology startups have to deal with hardware dependency from other countries. The need of the hour is indigenous flight controllers and AI chips so that the reliance on imports is cut down.

According to you, what are the measures the government has to undertake to support the growth of deep-tech startups?

Adding to the list of the above mentioned challenges which can be addressed by encouraging Make-in-India drone components to reduce dependency on imports, and providing structured policies for AI-integrated drones to promote its adoption in Defense, smart cities, and industrial sectors, we also look forward for funding support from the government for conducting R&D in AI-driven drone analytics. These measures will strengthen India’s deep-tech ecosystem.