Bangalore: The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), that has done pioneering research in cutting edge technologies and in developing futuristic communications and other systems for the Indian Army, is to get a spanking new campus here with Defence Minister A.K. Antony opening the facility tomorrow (Dec 22, 2006) 

Spread over 15 acres, the new campus will enable the centre, created 20 years ago, to conduct R&D in areas like information systems, communications and networking, information security, communications security and intelligent systems in a single integrated complex against the diverse locations in the city it currently operates from.

In terms of pure research, CAIR's work in the sphere of intelligent systems is perhaps the most exciting because this has applications in the other areas of its operations, a defence ministry official pointed out.

"Through artificial intelligence (AI), which is the science of making intelligent machines, or machines that can 'think', and Neutral Networks (NN) that ensure an Internet host, protocol, or application does not receive preferential treatment, CAIR researchers are creating what are termed 'mining tools' that automatically search large volumes of data for patterns," the official added.

"In today's information age, the value of these tools cannot be underestimated," the official pointed out.

Speaking about CAIR's efforts in the information systems field, the official explained:

"Today's battlefield is characterised by a high degree of movement of men and material on a wide front, and this demands rapid acquisition, dissemination, collation and fusion of information amongst field commanders involved in tactical planning and operations.

 "In this scenario, with decision making a time-sensitive and complex operation, a command, control, communication and information (C3I) system consisting of networked computers in the tactical battle area facilitates the process," the official added.

As for the communications and networking sphere, CAIR was developing technologies needed for the futuristic tactical communications network of the Indian Army.

"It is assisting the army in specifying the system architecture and the subsystem specifications for its Tactical Communications System (TCS) to facilitate multi-technology, multi-media communication networks across the tactical battlefield area," the official pointed out.

In the area of information security, which aims at securing confidentiality and integrity of data stored in computers and communicated over networks, CAIR has been working in areas like authentication, including speech biometrics, network access control, and intrusion detection systems.

These include high-speed traffic analysis software, secure e-mail, IP security, network and host intrusion detection systems, online disk encryption, and smart card-based authentication, the official said.

This apart, CAIR has also developed a number of technological solutions and products for the civilian sector, among them an automatic processor for handwritten application forms, an intelligent wheelchair for physically challenged persons, a laparoscopic surgery trainer and robots for non-destructive training.

CAIR, an arm of the Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO) was established in 1986 and its research focus was initially in the areas of AI, robotics, and control systems. In Novembr 2000, R&D groups of the DRDO's Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) working in the areas of C3I systems, communication and networking, and communications security were merged with the centre.

"This has made CAIR the premier laboratory for R&D in different areas of information and communication technology (ICT) as applicable to the defence sector," the official pointed out.