Project Vyoma by the Numbers
Who We Are
We are the aero-design team of RV College of Engineering. Started in 2007, we are one of the leading student projects in India, having won many national and international competitions and awards such as the NASA Systems Engineering Award.
What We Do
Carry out cutting edge research for development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Ignite inquisitiveness and interest in young minds in Aerospace Engineering and help them along that path. Represent our country in numerous International competitions like SAE Aero-design, AIAA Design Build Fly & IMAV.
Our Mission
To develop state of the art technologies in the field Autonomous Robotics, to accelerate the growth of the Aerospace domain by conceiving a Societal Drone Era, to Carry out R&D in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, to perform custom advanced missions for societal use.
History
Project Vyoma was founded in 2007 by a group of seven students. Our big breakthrough occured when we took part in an international aerodesign competition in the USA, organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Our first project, Vyoma-I, was a success, and we ranked 18th out of 40 teams that participated in the event.
Vyoma-II was our next project for the 2009 SAE Aero Design competition. We went on to secure the 20th position out of 43 teams that participated. We also showcased our aircraft at the 2011 Times Auto Expo at Palace Grounds, Bangalore.
In 2011, our next project Vyoma-III ranked 8th out of 17 teams in the SAE Aero Design competition. We were also awarded a certificate of appreciation for being the first and only team to represent India at the event by none other than then President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devsingh Patil. We showcased our aircraft at the 2009 and 2010 IIT-Madras Shaastra fests too.
In 2013, we won the NASA Systems Engineering Award at the SAE Aero Design West competition - the best among 75 teams from around the world. We received a $750 cash prize as well as a trophy from NASA. Our UAV was also featured as one of the top 24 innovations in the country by ET Now.
In 2015, Project Vyoma participated in the 2015 Design/Build/Fly (DBF) event at Tucson, Arizon. We were officially the first Indian team to take off at an AIAA DBF event. Our entry was featured by some of the top newspapers in the country. The year concluded with us securing 4th place among 26 teams at the Sparkfun Autonomous Vehicle Competition at Niwot, Colorado. We presented V.E.N.G.E.A.N.C.E., capable of object detection and avoidance and autonomous navigation (without using GPS!). We were once again the only Indian team selected for the event.
In 2018, we participated in the 2018 Design/Build/Fly (DBF) competition, requiring us to design a dual-purpose regional and business aircraft. Our design report was graded 10th globally.
Our 2018 DBF aircraft In 2019, we participated in the 2019 DBF competition, where our design proposal placed 13th out of 140 international teams. This year the competition was more challenging as it required us to build a multi-purpose aircraft that simulates carrier operations.
Over the coming years, we have continued to participate in these competitions. We participated in DBF 2020 and 2021, even though the events were held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That brings us to the present day. We would not have been able to achieve all this without the support of our college, our sponsors, and our crowd-funding campaigns.
Our Journey
Foundation
Project Vyoma founded by seven passionate students at RV College of Engineering.
Vyoma-I Success
Ranked 18th out of 40 teams at SAE Aero Design, USA. Our first international breakthrough.
Vyoma-II Achievement
Secured 20th position out of 43 teams at SAE Aero Design Competition.
Vyoma-III Excellence
Ranked 8th out of 17 teams. Received presidential certificate of appreciation from Smt. Pratibha Patil.
🏆 NASA Systems Engineering Award
Won prestigious NASA award at SAE Aero Design West - Best among 75 teams worldwide. Received $750 prize.
AIAA DBF & AVC Success
First Indian team to fly at AIAA DBF. 4th place at Sparkfun AVC with V.E.N.G.E.A.N.C.E.
Design Report Excellence
Design report ranked 10th globally at DBF competition for dual-purpose aircraft.
Multi-Purpose Aircraft
Design proposal placed 13th out of 140 international teams at DBF carrier operations challenge.
Virtual Competitions
Continued participation through virtual DBF events during COVID-19 pandemic.
🎯 Boeing Competition Success
Top 20 out of 600+ teams at Boeing IIT National Aeromodelling Competition.
Ongoing Innovation
Developing advanced VTOL systems, autonomous aircraft, and competing at national level.