Mangaluru: Students develop first-of-its-kind passenger drone

In a pioneering achievement, students of Srinivas Engineering College in Mukka, Mangaluru, have developed a drone capable of carrying human passengers — a first-of-its-kind innovation from the region.

While drones are commonly used for photography, surveillance, and small cargo delivery, the idea of a human-carrying drone has largely remained unexplored. The college students have now created a prototype that could potentially revolutionise emergency response and medical transport.

Specifications of the human-carrying drone

The drone weighs 120 kilograms and is designed to carry a person weighing 50–60 kilograms. It can reach an altitude of 2 kilometres and cover 15 kilometres on a single flight. Equipped with eight motors and powered by six lithium batteries, the drone can generate 4 kilowatts of power and remain airborne for 17–18 minutes.

The project is a collaborative effort between the Mechanical Engineering, Electronics & AI, Robotics, and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering departments. The design follows an octa-copter model and is remotely controlled within a range of 15 kilometres.

Emergency and medical applications

The students developed the drone with emergency scenarios in mind. It can be deployed for:

  • Transporting patients during traffic congestion or inaccessible areas
  • Delivering medicines and medical supplies to remote regions
  • Assisting in flood or disaster-hit areas where conventional transport is delayed

“This project has been developed under the guidance of the institution, after a detailed study of materials, battery requirements, and aerodynamics. If further developed, it can carry heavier loads and serve more practical uses,” said Vishakh, one of the students involved in the project.

Voices behind the innovation

Prof. Vishwas Shetty, project mentor and Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, said, “We developed this drone under the concept of Air Lift, with medical emergencies in mind. Its range of 15 kilometres makes it ideal for transporting patients quickly to hospitals.”

Praveen, Director of Research at Srinivas University, added, “Our students have built a drone that can transport patients over 15 kilometres. In situations like traffic congestion, it can help take patients swiftly to hospitals.”

Chancellor C.A. Raghavendra Rao praised the students, stating, “Our students are very dynamic, and this innovation proves their exceptional capabilities. Developing a drone that can carry humans is truly a remarkable achievement.”

A step toward the future

Though still in its early stage, the project marks a significant leap in student-led innovation in Karnataka. With further refinement, human-carrying drones could transform medical response and emergency rescue operations, offering faster and more efficient transport solutions.