Over the years, Thanos Technologies has played a major part in advancing agricultural technology in India which offers drone solutions that answer key challenges faced by Indian farmers. Since its founding, the company has grown greatly thereby expanding operations nationwide and forming partnerships with government bodies and global tech leaders.Â
In this interview, Pradeep Palelli, Co-Founder & CEO of Thanos Technologies discusses their cutting-edge technologies, success stories from the field, future goals for scaling operations, and their commitment to sustainable farming practices.
How has Thanos Technologies evolved since its inception?
At Thanos Technologies, we aim to revolutionise traditional farming methods by offering technology solutions at the forefront of product and service development designed to enhance the lives of farmers. We have invested heavily in understanding the unique needs of Indian farmers and have tailored our drone solutions to address those challenges. As a leader in the drone technology space, particularly in agriculture, we have expanded our operations across India, collaborated with government agencies, and partnered with global technology leaders to continuously enhance our offerings.
In addition to this, we have always been at the forefront of the agricultural drone revolution in India. Our solutions have made a transformative impact on the productivity and livelihoods of countless farmers. We continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with drone technology. The journey from inception to where we are today has been one of relentless innovation, strategic growth, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact on society.
Can you describe some of the cutting-edge technologies integrated into your drones?
The cutting-edge technologies used in our drones make us stand out from the competition. We integrate multispectral and hyperspectral imaging, enabling our drones to capture detailed information about crops that is invisible to the human eye. This technology helps in assessing factors like chlorophyll content and moisture levels, allowing precise, targeted interventions.
Additionally, our drones feature autonomous flight capabilities, enabling the execution of complex missions with minimal human intervention. Advanced GPS and obstacle detection systems ensure accurate and safe operations, even in challenging environments. These technologies, when combined make our drones not just tools, but essential partners in today’s modern agricultural practices.
Can you share some success stories or case studies where your technology significantly improved agricultural productivity?
In Andhra Pradesh, a chilli farmer saw remarkable success using the Syena-H10i drone for spraying nano urea on their crops. The precision application allowed the farmer to achieve a 40 per cent increase in yield compared to previous methods. The Syena-H10i drone, equipped with advanced spraying technology, ensured that nano urea was uniformly distributed, maximising the plant’s nutrient uptake and promoting healthier, more robust growth.
This drone not only improved crop yield but also provided additional advantages. For example, it reduced water usage by over 40 per cent, needing only 10 litres to cover an acre compared to the 200 litres required in manual methods. Furthermore, the Syena-H10i helped the farmer save on labour costs, as it could cover 9 to 12 acres per day, reducing the time and effort needed for manual spraying.
Drone technology, such as the Syena-H10i, is revolutionising farming practices, making them more efficient and cost-effective, while also contributing to sustainable agricultural practices by reducing fertiliser waste and ensuring timely application.
How do you plan to scale your operations to meet growing demand?
In the near future, we aim to expand our manufacturing capabilities by setting up additional production facilities at strategic locations across India which will enable us to increase output. We are forging partnerships with agricultural cooperatives, government agencies, and tech companies to broaden our reach and streamline distribution. We have recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with IFFCO, signalling the commencement of a transformative initiative aimed at revolutionising agricultural practices across the country. Additionally, we are planning to collaborate with educational institutions to train more drone operators, ensuring our technology is effectively deployed. We plan to invest more in R&D to develop new features and enhance existing ones, making our drones more versatile and accessible. By adopting a modular design, we can quickly adapt to changing market needs and integrate new technologies.
How do your drones contribute to sustainable farming practices?
Our drones play an important role in promoting sustainable farming practices by optimising resource use and minimising environmental impact. They enable precision agriculture, allowing farmers to apply water, fertilisers, and pesticides only where needed, reducing waste and preventing overuse. This targeted approach not only conserves resources but also enhances soil health and reduces chemical runoff into surrounding ecosystems. Proactive management also reduces the need for broad-spectrum pesticides, further lowering the environmental footprint. Additionally, our drones support soil and crop monitoring, which helps maintain long-term soil fertility by ensuring balanced nutrient application. By reducing water and chemical use, enhancing crop yields, and preserving natural resources, our drones contribute significantly to more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices.
Are there any new innovations or upcoming products that you can share with us?
At Thanos Technologies, innovation is at the core of what we do. Our R&D team is constantly pushing the boundaries to develop newer models and unique form factors, not just for agriculture but also for defence, allied sectors, and educational institutions with custom drone needs. Our SYENA-H platform, for instance, has proven to be incredibly versatile across various applications.
While we can’t reveal all the details yet, I can share that we’re working on an exciting, more affordable model aimed at making advanced drone technology accessible to a wider audience. Stay tuned, as we’ll be announcing more in the coming months.
What are Thanos Technologies’ long-term goals and vision for the future?
Thanos Technologies is poised to become a key player in precision agriculture by combining automation and intelligence. We plan to launch commercially certified intelligence platforms, such as multispectral camera mapping drones, alongside the automation drones. The ultimate goal is to expand into additional states within India, establish service centres, and increase production capacities to meet growing demand. These ambitious plans promise an exciting future for us and the agricultural industry as a whole.
Thanos Technologies upholds quality, excellence, and customer satisfaction as its top priorities. Additionally, we prioritise sustainability and environmental stewardship, as evidenced by our drone technology, which consumes 90-95 per cent less water compared to traditional methods and reduces agrochemical overuse. Furthermore, we ensure responsible battery disposal and recycling, aligning with environmental values.
