Current Affairs - Technology

IIT Ropar's iHub AWaDH launched a cost-effective BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) Gateway, aimed at supporting real-time monitoring and IoT scalability across various sectors such as agriculture and logistics. The gateway features long-range communication of up to 1 km (line-of-sight), low power consumption, and FOTA (Firmware Over The Air) capabilities. It integrates seamlessly with cloud platforms and mobile apps, playing a crucial role in enhancing technology for agriculture and water-related projects under the AWaDH initiative.

IIT Madras, in collaboration with the startup TuTr, completed India's first 410-meter Hyperloop test track, marking a significant step forward in vacuum-based train technology. The project, led by the Avishkar Hyperloop team consisting of 76 students, is part of a broader plan involving two phases: an 11.5 km test track for certification, followed by a 100 km track. This achievement is inspired by Elon Musk's Hyperloop concept and represents a major milestone in the development of futuristic transport solutions in India.

Proba-3, a mission by the European Space Agency (ESA), is equipped with the ASPIICS coronagraph, which provides an unprecedented view of the Sun's corona. This coronagraph, along with the occulting disk, enables Proba-3 to simulate eclipse conditions and observe the Sun's outer regions, ranging from 1.08 to 3 solar radii. This unique capability, combined with its collaboration with India’s Aditya L1, marks a significant advancement in solar research, set to begin detailed studies of the Sun's corona in 2025.

Gorakhpur will host India’s first Integrated Waste Management City-cum-Learning Centre by September 2025. Situated in Suthni village, Sahjanwa, the 40-acre facility will process 700 tons of waste daily, transforming dry and wet waste into charcoal and Bio-CNG. This initiative is backed by a ₹300 crore investment from NTPC, reflecting a significant step toward sustainable waste management and energy generation.

The Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station includes two Indian astronauts, Prime-Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Backup-Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, who have completed the initial phase of their training. This mission is part of a private initiative by Axiom Space, using the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, and focuses on commercial activities, international collaboration, and scientific research. By including Indian astronauts, the mission highlights India's growing role in global space exploration and its ability to contribute to cutting-edge research in microgravity environments.