Former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Former Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chairman S. Somanath on Thursday expressed concern over the competence and ability to innovate among start-ups and aerospace companies.
Speaking at the International Conference on Advances in Computational and Experimental Approaches in Aerostructures, Mr Somanath said: “I think it worries me because I’ve gone around the country looking at start-ups and companies that were designing aerostructures. In terms of hardware, especially in aerostructures, I don’t see this type of competence or capability in the past.”
He added that classical approaches still continue and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in practice is not happening.
“Maybe some of you may disagree with me, but classical approaches still continue even when you talk about data-driven models. The integration of AI is talked about in practice, but it is not happening. Of course, this is happening in the domain of companies that come up with solutions, because multiphysics software is coming to us to solve problems, and using it to find solutions has become routine,” he added.
Mr. Somanath also said that he has also not been able to see much progress in the area of digital twins in the aerospace sector.
On digital twins
“There’s also talk of digital twins, but I’m not able to see digital twins in these domains (aerostructures) on a scale that should actually happen. Why isn’t it happening? I think that’s the question we have to ask ourselves. It can happen in academia and on a small scale, but on a larger scale it’s still not seen in institutions where it’s actually practiced and discussed at conferences. So I don’t think it should happen. people with these types of skills in building at least some of the models,” said Mr. Somanath.
Published – 18 Dec 2025 20:52 IST
