NITK Surathkal Launches NOMAD: A Groundbreaking AI Platform for Disaster Management
NITK Surathkal unveils edge AI platform NOMAD for disaster-ready computing
News 18
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The National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) has introduced NOMAD, an innovative AI platform designed for reliable computing in remote and disaster-prone areas. The system operates independently of traditional cloud infrastructure, ensuring functionality in regions with limited connectivity, such as coastal areas and disaster zones.
- 01NOMAD is designed for use in remote and disaster-prone environments.
- 02The platform operates independently of conventional cloud infrastructure.
- 03It integrates multiple power sources and network options for uninterrupted operation.
- 04NOMAD supports real-time decision-making during emergencies like floods and landslides.
- 05The initiative emphasizes the importance of decentralized AI systems in disaster scenarios.
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The National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) has unveiled NOMAD (Node for Open-source Mobile AI Deployment), an advanced artificial intelligence platform aimed at enhancing computing reliability in remote and disaster-prone environments. Launched on April 11, 2023, this innovative system operates independently of conventional cloud infrastructure, making it particularly suitable for areas with limited connectivity, such as coastal regions and disaster zones. Located at NITK's SEARCH research facility along the Arabian Sea coast, NOMAD is housed in a repurposed shipping container and is powered by a combination of grid supply, rooftop solar, a mobile solar-battery unit, and a diesel generator with UPS backup, ensuring uninterrupted operation.
NOMAD integrates various network options, including institutional fibre, broadband, and wireless links, while its computing framework combines open-source clusters, edge devices, and high-capacity storage. The project, led by Dr. Pruthviraj U, focuses on edge AI applications such as water systems management and coastal disaster intelligence. By enabling on-site data processing, NOMAD aims to facilitate real-time decision-making during emergencies like floods and landslides. Supported by NITK alumnus Padmanand Warrier, the initiative highlights the significance of decentralized AI systems in disaster scenarios, ensuring that critical computing capabilities remain operational when needed most. NITK officials also plan to integrate NOMAD into academic programs and expand its use through interdisciplinary research, positioning the institute as a leader in next-generation AI innovation.
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NOMAD aims to enhance disaster response capabilities by enabling real-time data processing, which can significantly improve decision-making during emergencies.
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