From a Mars Dream to Indian Army Trials: BITS Students Develop GPS-Free Drone Technology

A question about exploring Mars has led two students from BITS Pilani’s Hyderabad campus to develop technology with potential applications in Indian defense. Naman Kasliwal and Shiv Patil, founders of startup Beijan, have built a navigation system that allows drones to continue operating when GPS signals are unavailable or disrupted.

Their innovation, called the Beijan Autonomous Navigation Module (BANM), was initially inspired by a challenge: how would a drone navigate on Mars, where there is no GPS network like the one available on Earth? The project took a different direction after an Indian Army officer highlighted its possible use in military operations, particularly in areas where GPS signals may be deliberately jammed.

How Does Beijan’s GPS-Free Drone Technology Work?

Unlike conventional drones that depend heavily on satellite signals for navigation, Beijan’s module uses cameras mounted on the aircraft to understand its surroundings. In simple terms, the system captures images of the environment and compares them to estimate the drone’s movement. This information helps it maintain navigation when GPS is unavailable.

According to the company, the module weighs less than 200 grams and is designed to work with different drone platforms. Beijan also claims that it supports low-light operations and can switch between GPS-based and camera-based navigation. The company describes the technology as a secondary navigation system rather than a complete replacement for GPS.

Indian Army Trials and Interest From Military Units

According to the founders, the technology has undergone trials at military locations, including Secunderabad and Leh, and was demonstrated before the Indian Army’s Southern Command. Kasliwal told India Today that three modules were subsequently taken to Pokhran for further testing. He also said that eight other military units had expressed interest through letters of intent. However, interest and testing should not be confused with a confirmed procurement order. No public Army announcement confirming large-scale induction of BANM has been identified. The startup also says its Prachand Swarm Ground Station software is being used by formations under the Army’s Southern Command.

BITS Hyderabad Students Turn Robotics Experience Into a Startup

The founders’ experience in robotics competitions helped them develop the technology. Both were associated with Thriveforce, the combat robotics team at BITS Hyderabad. Their work at the university provided a foundation for building and testing engineering prototypes. The startup has also received financial support. According to reports, Beijan secured Rs 1.7 crore in pre-seed funding from AJVC. It reportedly received a Rs 25 lakh grant through the Curiosity-2025 program at IIT Gandhinagar. The founders have also discussed another Rs 25 lakh grant under Curiosity-2026, which was yet to be disbursed at the time of the report.

Is the Technology Completely Indigenous?

Beijan says its software and system integration have been developed in India. However, Kasliwal told India Today that the single-board computer used in the module is currently a major imported component. The company plans to replace it with an Indian-developed alternative. This means the technology is being developed domestically, but it would be inaccurate to describe every component as fully indigenous.

Beijan is now exploring partnerships with established drone manufacturers to integrate its module into existing platforms. It is also considering supplying complete drone systems after further development and testing. The technology still needs to demonstrate consistent performance under different operating conditions before any wider military adoption can be established.

The journey from a Mars-inspired research question to military field trials highlights the growing role of student-led startups in India's defense technology sector. Whether Beijan’s system reaches large-scale deployment will depend on further testing, validation and procurement decisions.