Every year, thousands of engineering graduates across India prepare for campus placements, hoping to land a well-paying corporate job. For most, receiving an offer letter is the ultimate reward after four years of hard work.But three engineering students from Chennai looked at their future differently.Instead of joining multinational companies, Vignesh M, Vibhakar Senthil and Karthikeyan B decided to dedicate their engineering skills to solving one of the toughest challenges faced by Indian soldiers serving at the world’s highest battlefield—Siachen Glacier.Their decision has now led to the creation of an indigenous unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed to reduce the physical burden on soldiers serving in some of the harshest conditions on Earth.
A classroom project that became a mission
The three friends studied Mechatronics Engineering at SRM University in Chennai. During their first year, they joined a robotics programme that encouraged students to identify real-world problems and develop practical engineering solutions.Over the next few years, they built surveillance robots, designed a single-seat solar-powered vehicle, and participated in several national innovation competitions.While many classmates prepared for placement interviews, the trio had already found a different purpose.They wanted to build technology that could strengthen India’s defence capabilities.Rather than accepting corporate offers, they continued researching autonomous robotics and interacted extensively with officers from the Indian Armed Forces and the Army Design Bureau to understand operational challenges on the ground.
Why Siachen inspired them
Siachen is unlike any other battlefield.Located at altitudes where oxygen levels are nearly half of those at sea level and temperatures can fall below minus 50 degrees Celsius, it tests both human endurance and military logistics every single day.In these extreme conditions, soldiers often carry loads exceeding 60 kilograms, including weapons, food supplies, communication equipment and survival gear.The trio believed technology could shoulder part of that burden.
Building Torus Robotics
In 2019, after nearly three years of research and field interactions, the engineers founded Torus Robotics in Chennai.Instead of importing existing technology, they chose to build everything from the ground up.One of their biggest achievements has been developing indigenous electric motors that are around 50% lighter, 15% more efficient and 10% more cost-effective than comparable imported alternatives.Reducing dependence on imported defence technologies, particularly critical powertrain components, became one of the company’s primary goals.
A robot built for the battlefield
The result of years of engineering is MARS UGV, a fully electric unmanned ground vehicle designed specifically for military operations.The vehicle can be operated remotely from up to one kilometre away and features a six-degree-of-freedom robotic arm capable of detecting and safely handling explosive devices.The company is also working with BEML to develop a logistics variant capable of transporting heavy supplies across high-altitude terrain, reducing the physical load carried by soldiers.If deployed widely, such systems could significantly ease the strain on personnel operating in places like Siachen.
Recognition for indigenous innovation
The startup’s work has already attracted national attention.Torus Robotics has supplied its MARS UGV to DRDO, received innovation grants from both the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu, and was recognised by iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) as the youngest defence startup to deliver an indigenous unmanned ground vehicle to the Indian defence ecosystem.The company also won the Birla Global Innovation Challenge 2020, further validating its work in defence technology.
More than engineering, a lesson in purpose
Stories of engineering graduates usually revolve around lucrative salaries, multinational companies and overseas opportunities.The journey of Vignesh, Vibhakar and Karthikeyan offers a different perspective.Their success shows that engineering is not only about building careers—it is also about solving problems that matter.By choosing innovation over immediate employment, they transformed a college robotics project into technology that could one day make life safer for Indian soldiers serving in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments.Sometimes, the greatest achievement is not getting placed at graduation.It is building something that serves the nation.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information shared by Torus Robotics, its founders, defence innovation platforms, and related reports. Operational capabilities, deployment status and technical specifications mentioned are based on information available in the public domain and have not been independently verified by The Times of India.
