Kerala Police to collaborate with Kochi start-up to trial traffic control robots
According to the start-up, ‘Kavach’, an armored shielded six-wheeled off-road platform, is built to perform tasks including disaster management and emergency response. | Photo credit: H. VIBHU
Kerala Police plans to introduce robotics in its operations, perhaps starting with traffic management. As a preliminary step, the police has started a collaboration with a Kochi-based start-up to develop deeply technologically advanced machines to meet the requirements of the force.
Accordingly, the police decided to test the feasibility of using two machines developed by the fledgling company I Hub Research and Robotics Private Limited for traffic management and emergency response. While Daksha, a mobile humanoid, can be deployed for traffic management, ‘Kavach’, an armored shielded six-wheeled off-road platform, is built to perform tasks including disaster management and emergency response, the start-up claims.
The machines were on display at the annual c0c0n 2026 cybersecurity conference, which began here on Friday.
“The collaboration is aimed at the joint development of our company, the police and Cyberdome. Daksha has already been deployed in five countries for industrial purposes. It can manage traffic using its vision-based analytical model and also detect traffic violations. Daksha can be used for disaster management operations and autonomous patrolling. It has already been deployed for defense purposes,” said I Hub founder and CEO Athil Krishna.
Prakash P., Inspector General, Head of Cyber Operations, said the start-up was selected for the collaboration considering its track record. “We have decided to try out the use of robotics in some areas and have asked the company to provide its technology to suit our needs. Once it is ready, we will test it and deploy it on a pilot basis if deemed appropriate. If it proves to be successful, the machines will be procured following proper procedures,” the officer said.
Memorandum of understanding signed
Meanwhile, Kerala Police Cyberdome has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with I Hub Research and Robotics Private Limited. According to the contract, the start-up will provide technical expertise, technological support and professional assistance to approved police projects, primarily non-monetary. The collaboration also facilitates mutual knowledge sharing, giving the firm access to relevant law enforcement training programs and seminars to help prevent future information security breaches. The MoU was received by Ankith Ashokan, Cyber Security Police (Cyber SP) from Mr. Krishna.
Published – 10 October 2026 07:00 IST