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TKM College of Engineering Launches Drone Application Robotic Centre (DARC): Engineering the Future of Innovation



On July 3, 2025, TKM College of Engineering (TKMCE) made a meaningful contribution to drone innovation in Kerala with the inauguration of the Drone Application Robotic Centre (DARC). An innovation showcase and drone demonstration followed the inauguration, promoting a culture of creativity and students' practical skills and offering a platform for industry interaction and collaboration.

Leading technologists, educators, and trustees attended the inauguration of DARC at TKMCE. Thus, backed by the visionary TKM Trust, DARC makes TKMCE one of Kerala's remarkable engineering colleges with robotics labs.

TKMCE’s Vision: Staying Ahead in Technology

As one of the future-ready engineering colleges in India, TKMCE integrates knowledge of advanced technologies, practical skills, and adaptability in its students as per industry demands. Many of its previous initiatives in artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), smart energy systems, and smart labs demonstrate its future-focused and technology-driven approach.

With the recently launched DARC, TKMCE signifies its commitment to emerging technologies by:

  • ● Offering hands-on experience with drone technology
  • ● Fostering research and innovation in robotics
  • ● Equipping students for jobs in a rapidly growing field

But TKMCE's future-focused engineering with the Drone Application Robotic Centre not only offers students practical knowledge of the design, development, and applications of drones but also prepares them for careers in a rapidly evolving field.

Inside DARC: A Glimpse of the Future

Labs for state-of-the-art assembly and prototyping of drones are one of the highlights of TKMCE's future-focused engineering, with the Drone Application Robotic Centre. Such drone labs in engineering colleges promote problem-solving skills and creativity in students, in addition to giving practical learning opportunities.

DARC is also designed to be a completely functional robotics innovation center in Kerala, with real-time testing zones and simulation environments. The DARC also incorporates interdisciplinary project collaboration spaces to promote applications of drones in education.

Also read: AICTE IDEA Lab at TKMCE, Kollam: Empowering Student Innovation

Furthermore, the center facilitates engineering projects in drone technology, offering significant advancements across various sectors such as:

  • ● Precision agriculture—soil analysis, crop monitoring, and targeted interventions
  • ● Disaster management—damage assessment, search and rescue, and resource management.
  • ● Surveillance and logistics—security, infrastructure inspection, and package delivery.

Mentorship That Matters: Teachers Who Empower

Faculty involvement in project-based learning in engineering is a factor that significantly enhances the success of our Drone Application Robotic Centre. Following our "learn by doing" pedagogy, our faculty ensures the success of project-based learning (PBL) through:

  • ● Guiding
  • ● Facilitating and
  • ● Providing feedback

Further, faculty mentors in drone and robotics provide strong mentorship by offering:

  • ● Technical expertise and guidance
  • ● Career development and networking
  • ● Effective mentoring practices and
  • ● Encouragement and support

In essence, TKMCE's culture of innovation, backed by academic rigor, empowers faculty to be more effective mentors, advisors, and facilitators for student-led startups and research initiatives.

Learning by Doing: The Culture of Student Innovation at TKMCE

TKMCE has always set high standards for student innovation in engineering colleges. The campus fosters a culture of hands-on exploration through tech-driven student clubs in engineering, such as the SAE Collegiate Club and the Aero Design Club.

DARC is designed to be one of the best robotics clubs in Kerala colleges to encourage design thinking, drone prototyping, and interdisciplinary builds by students. It embodies project-based learning in drone technology that prepares students for the fast-evolving drone and robotics sectors.

From drone airframes to autonomous navigation systems, students engage in high-impact collaborative projects that reflect the college’s commitment to applied engineering and creativity.

Also read: SAE India TKMCE Collegiate Club: Learning Through Projects

Career Opportunities: A Launchpad for the Future

The newly inaugurated DARC provides the foundation for a future career in drone technology with hands-on training, practical experience, and industry-relevant knowledge across sectors like

  • ● Aerospace and defense
  • ● Agriculture technology
  • ● Smart logistics and warehouse automation
  • ● Research and disaster response

The center facilitates hands-on projects on drone prototyping, automation, and navigation to teach real-world skills needed for jobs in robotics and automation. DARC also fosters a robust internship pipeline and industry partnerships to connect students with internship opportunities in drone R&D.

Further, the DARC would complement the college's placement assistance measures to make TKMCE one of Kerala's best engineering colleges with drone placements.

Also read: Importance Of Internships For Engineering Students

World-Class Facilities for Tomorrow’s Engineers

TKMCE demonstrates the best engineering college infrastructure in Kerala with:

  • ● Smart classrooms, dedicated drone hangars, and IoT labs
  • ● Seamless campus-wide high-speed digital access and
  • ● Integrated tech-infrastructure across departments

The recently inaugurated DARC by TKMCE is the most functional IoT and robotics lab in Kerala colleges to foster hands-on learning by providing students with valuable knowledge in designing, building, and programming IoT devices and robots.

Drone testing labs on campus offer dedicated areas for drone research, development, and testing, accessible to students at any time. These labs also include prototyping equipment, designated flight areas, and data analysis tools to promote a culture of experimentation and continuous learning in our students.

Also read: On the path to a Net Zero Emission Campus

Why TKMCE Is the Best Choice for Aspiring Engineers

The DARC at TKM College of Engineering enhances the college's reputation as one of the top colleges for robotics and drone tech. The center fosters a holistic approach to technology education that emphasizes leadership, research, and innovation.

Further, TKMCE is located in Kollam, with a growing reputation as a technology hub. This, with TKMCE's strong foundation for engineering education in Kollam, makes it an attractive destination for aspiring engineers.

TKMCE is also one of the best engineering colleges in Kerala for its successful placement outcomes and a supportive alumni network.

Conclusion

DARC at TKMCE is a milestone in engineering education in Kerala. It also reflects TKMCE's commitment to creating tech leaders of tomorrow. Are you passionate about real-world innovation? Study drones and robotics in Kerala. Join TKM College of Engineering’s DARC.

Know about TKMCE admissions 2025 at https://tkmce.ac.in/admission-policy

Contact us at:

Phone: +91 474-2712024

Email ID: principal@tkmce.ac.in