Current Affairs - Technology

Google has introduced a transformative AI Mode in India, powered by its custom Gemini 2.5 model. This new feature significantly enhances the search experience by enabling users to perform complex, multimodal, and conversational queries. With innovations like query fan-out technology, the system breaks down intricate questions into subtopics and processes them in parallel, offering more accurate and comprehensive results. This represents a major advancement over traditional keyword-based search engines, allowing users to interact in a more natural and intuitive way. By launching this in India, Google emphasizes the country’s growing role in shaping global tech innovation.

IIT Delhi, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), successfully demonstrated a cutting-edge entanglement-based free-space quantum secure communication system. This involved Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over a 1 km distance through the air, achieving a secure key rate of 240 bps. The system was resilient to environmental challenges like atmospheric turbulence and background noise, marking a key milestone in India’s National Quantum Mission. This innovation strengthens India’s ability to establish quantum-secure networks for defence and cybersecurity applications and signifies a leap forward in the practical deployment of quantum communication technologies.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) won a ₹511 crore Transfer of Technology deal from ISRO to manufacture and commercialize Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs). This deal represents a pivotal shift in India’s strategy to promote commercial space operations by involving public sector industries in the production and operation of satellite launch vehicles. HAL was chosen as the top bidder after a thorough evaluation process and will receive two years of hands-on training and support from ISRO. Following this phase, HAL is expected to produce SSLVs independently, with future plans to manufacture 6–12 SSLVs annually, contributing significantly to India’s space commercialization goals.

Noida International Airport has taken a pioneering step by partnering with Anlon Technology Solutions to deploy India's first indigenously built runway rubber removal machine (RRM), named Cleanjet. This machine is critical for maintaining runway safety by effectively removing rubber deposits from aircraft landings. Built on an Eicher Pro 6028 chassis, the Cleanjet represents a significant advancement in domestic airport infrastructure technology. By adopting this locally manufactured solution, Noida is setting new benchmarks in aviation safety, efficiency, and the promotion of indigenous innovation in the country’s growing aviation sector.

On June 17, 2025, Honda, traditionally recognized for its automotive innovations, successfully tested a reusable rocket in Taiki Town, Hokkaido, Japan. This event marked Honda's official entry into the competitive space technology arena, positioning it among the few global entities capable of developing reusable launch systems. The experimental rocket achieved an altitude of 271.4 meters and demonstrated precise landing capabilities within 37 cm of its target. The trial validated critical aspects such as flight stability and reusability—key to cost-effective space missions. This achievement reflects Honda’s diversification strategy and underscores Japan’s growing influence in the private aerospace sector.