Skip to content Skip to footer

INDRAJAAL

Designing the Future of Counter-Drone Technology

Client

Indrajaal Defense Pvt Ltd

Website

www.indrajaal.in

Markets

India, MENA

About Indrajaal

Indrajaal is a multi-faceted counter-drone system designed to safeguard critical infrastructure and sensitive areas from unauthorized drones. This autonomous drone security solution leverages advanced technologies to effectively detect, track, and neutralize drones of various classes. 

Services

User research • Domain Research • Solutioning • Interaction Design & Information Architecture • Interface Design & Design Systems • Marcom Services • Visual Communication Design Development Support

Invendes was entrusted with the task of designing a command and control application for operating this state-of-the-art real-time counter-drone defense system, specifically engineered for deployment in mission-critical installations.

Invendes was entrusted with the task of designing a command and control application for operating this state-of-the-art real-time counter-drone defense system, specifically engineered for deployment in mission-critical installations.

The Challenges

This application, entrusted to our team, was not merely business-critical but mission-critical. The response time in a scenario such as a drone swarm attack is measured in seconds. Moreover, accommodating numerous personas, hierarchies, roles, and application views across different devices presented formidable challenges.

EXTREME USABILITY IN DESIGN


The interface had to prioritize ease of use to facilitate swift decision-making in high-pressure situations.

DEVICE
AGNOSTICISM


Ensuring seamless operation across various devices was paramount to maintain operational continuity.

ZERO TOLERANCE
TO BUGS


Any bugs or glitches could have dire consequences, mandating rigorous testing and quality assurance protocols.

VERSATILE COUNTER MEASURES


The system had to support a range of countermeasures to effectively neutralize diverse drone threats.

Command Table

The nerve center of Indrajaal is the command table, a 65-inch multi-touch masterpiece designed for intuitive operation. Operators can interact with the system from various angles, ensuring optimal situational awareness. Additionally, programmable “tangible objects” provide tactile control over key functions, further streamlining decision-making in critical moments.

Reaction Time

From Detection to Neutralization, Every Second Counts. Indrajaal’s lightning-fast response is its defining feature. The application streamlines the process, achieving Identification to Neutralization in Under 5 Seconds.

Invendes' mission: to design a cross-device application for operating the Indrajaal counter-drone dome. This application wasn't just software; it was a shield, protecting critical infrastructure from ever-evolving threats.

Persona Profiling

Traditional persona profiling methods wouldn’t suffice. We needed to understand users not just as individuals, but as integral parts of a dynamic team operating in high-pressure situations. So, we developed a scenario-based profiling approach, immersing ourselves in the context and challenges faced by each role.

Personas & Roles

In accordance with established command structure, each persona operated within rigidly delineated roles determined by rank and position. Role management was amplified to enforce operational discipline and maintain hierarchical integrity. Functional capabilities and access points were dynamically authorized or restricted as required.

Senior
Commander

Role: Oversees entire anti-drone operation.

Key Tasks

  • Make final decisions based on intel.
  • Allocate resources.
  • Direct tactical operations.

Operations
Officer

Role: Manages the tactical aspect of counter-drone activities.

Key Tasks

  • Plan counter-drone maneuvers.
  • Execute orders from the Commander.
  • Coordinate with other units.

Intel
Analyst

Role: Handles intelligence data and risk assessment.

Key Tasks

  • Analyze drone flight patterns.
  • Assess threats.
  • Provide recommendations to the Operations Officer and Commander.

Drone
Pilots

Role: Operates friendly drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, or active counter-measures.

Key Tasks

  • Operates friendly drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, or countermeasures
  • Conducts pre-flight checks and post-mission reports

Sensor
Operator

Role: Manages the equipment that detects drone activity.

Key Tasks

  • Monitor radar and other sensors.
  • Report any drone activity.
  • Maintain sensor equipment.

Drone Interceptor
Operator

Role: Pilots or controls the counter-drone technology. (e.g., interceptor drones, jamming systems).

Key Tasks

  • Engage hostile drones.
  • Report back on mission status.
  • Manage counter-drone equipment.

Field
Operator

Role: Frontline personnel tasked with physical counter-measures.

Key Tasks

  • Deploy anti-drone equipment.
  • Secure the area.
  • Carry out instructions from the Operations Officer.

System
Administrator

Role: Ensures the software and hardware are functioning optimally.

Key Tasks

  • Troubleshoot issues.
  • Update software.
  • Ensure cybersecurity protocols are followed.

Senior Commander

Role: Oversees entire anti-drone operation.

Key Tasks

  • Make final decisions based on intel.
  • Allocate resources.
  • Direct tactical operations.

Operations Officer

Role: Manages the tactical aspect of counter-drone activities.

Key Tasks

  • Plan counter-drone maneuvers.
  • Execute orders from Commander.
  • Coordinate with other units.

Intel Analyst

Role: Handles intelligence data and risk assessment.

Key Tasks

  • Analyze drone flight patterns.
  • Assess threats.
  • Provide recommendations to Operations Officer and Commander.

Drone Pilots

Role: Operates friendly drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, or active counter-measures.

Key Tasks

  • Operates friendly drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, or countermeasures
  • Conducts pre-flight checks and post-mission reports

Sensor Operator

Role: Manages the equipment that detects drone activity.

Key Tasks

  • Monitor radar and other sensors.
  • Report any drone activity.
  • Maintain sensor equipment.

Drone Interceptor Operator

Role: Pilots or controls the counter-drone technology. (e.g., interceptor drones, jamming systems).

Key Tasks

Engage hostile drones.

  • Report back on mission status.
  • Manage counter-drone equipment.

Field Operator

Role: Pilots or controls the counter-drone technology. (e.g., interceptor drones, jamming systems).

Key Tasks

Engage hostile drones.

  • Deploy anti-drone equipment.
  • Secure the area.
  • Carry out instructions from Operations Officer.

SystemAdministrator

Role: Ensures the software and hardware are functioning optimally.

Key Tasks

Engage hostile drones.

  • Troubleshoot issues.
  • Update software.
  • Ensure cybersecurity protocols are followed.

INTERFACE
DESIGN

The foundation of our design strategy was understanding the diverse contexts and user roles interacting with Indrajaal. We conducted in-depth scenario analysis, mapping user needs and actions within critical situations. This allowed us to create a modular interface architecture that could adapt to different devices and situations while maintaining consistency and efficiency.

The Power of Touch: Adapting for iPad

The iPad offered the convenience of mobility when compared to the command table and could be used in field ops.  We leveraged the multi-touch capabilities to design an interface that felt natural and intuitive. Key features like threat visualization, countermeasure selection, and communication functions were placed within easy reach, ensuring operators could make quick decisions with minimal cognitive strain.

Phone

Maximizing Efficiency on the Phone’s Small Screen:

While the phone screen presented a space constraint, we prioritized essential functionalities for on-the-go situational awareness and basic actions. Information hierarchy and visual cues were carefully implemented to guide users to critical data points quickly. 

Command
Table

The heart of Indrajaal is the 65-inch multi-touch command table, a digital map of the protected airspace. This table, operational from multiple orientations, empowers commanders with a holistic view and intuitive control. Tangible objects, physical representations of virtual controls, further enhance the user experience, allowing for rapid responses through familiar interactions.

Tangible
Object Nav

Beyond Screens – Tangible Control:

The command table extends the interface beyond the digital realm, incorporating tangible objects for intuitive and tactile interaction. Programmable objects like joysticks and dials provide direct control over countermeasures, reducing reliance on touchscreens in high-stress scenarios

Tangible Object Controls

Physical objects on the command table represent specific actions or functions, allowing for tactile control and faster response times.
Customizable based on user preferences and mission needs.

Iconography

Radar - Sensor

Electro Optic - Sensor

1ESM - Sensor

Camera - Sensor

20 fighter Jet

21 Transport aircraft

22 Helicopter

23 Bird

Urban - Building

Rural - Building

Government - Building

Private - Building

Aerial Vehicle - Machine

Land Vehicle - Machine

Sub Terrain Vehicle - Machine

Drone - Machine

Jammer - Weapon

13 Laser - Weapon

14 Kinetic Weapon - Weapon

15 Counter Drone - Weapon

Drone Type 1

Drone Type 2

Drone Type 1

Drone Type 1

Urban - Building

Radar - Sensor

Aerial Vehicle - Machine

Rural - Building

Electro Optic - Sensor

Land Vehicle - Machine

Government - Building

1ESM - Sensor

Sub Terrain Vehicle - Machine

Private - Building

Camera - Sensor

Drone - Machine

Jammer - Weapon

20 fighter Jet

Drone Type 1

13 Laser - Weapon

21 Transport aircraft

Drone Type 2

14 Kinetic Weapon - Weapon

22 Helicopter

Drone Type 1

15 Counter Drone - Weapon

23 Bird

Drone Type 1

Tracking & Engaging

The application provided intuitive tools for:

Drone Detection & Tracking: Utilizing advanced algorithms and sensor data to precisely identify, track, and classify drones in real-time.

Threat Assessment: Analyzing drone behavior, potential targets, and weather conditions to predict actions and prioritize threats.

Countermeasure Selection: Offering a range of options based on the threat level and situation, including jamming, laser interception, kinetic takedowns, or combined approaches.

Mission Execution: Providing clear instructions and visual aids to guide operators in deploying countermeasures effectively.

Alert Systems

A robust and multi-layered alert system ensured operators were notified of critical events immediately:

Visual & Audible Alerts: High-visibility notifications and distinct sounds to grab attention instantly.

Priority Levels: Categorized alerts based on severity, guiding operators to the most pressing threat.

Customizable settings: Allows users to personalize alert sounds and preferences based on their roles and needs.

Escalation protocols: Triggers automatic actions (e.g., notifications to higher command) for critical events.

Branding & Marcom

Primary Logo

Logo Color Usage

Full Color

Full Color Reverse

Logomark Reverse

Logomark

Color Palette

01

Primary

HEX

RGB

CMYK

#0C213F

12,33,63

100,84,42,57

02

Secondary

HEX

RGB

CMYK

#475F82

71,95,130

85,61,29,9

03

Teriary

HEX

RGB

CMYK

#ACB5C5

171,181,197

34,22,13,0

04

Quaternary

HEX

RGB

CMYK

#F3F5F9

243,245,249

3,2,1,0

Typography

Aa

Roboto Condensed

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890!@#$%^&*()-+=~<>?

Aa

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwyz
1234567890

Roboto Condensed

Light

Aa

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwyz
1234567890

Roboto Condensed

Regular

Aa

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwyz
1234567890

Roboto Condensed

Medium

Aa

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwyz
1234567890

Roboto Condensed

Semibold

Container

Jackets

Canvas Hat

Neck buff

Jackets

Corporate Branding

Employee Kit

Marketing Communication

Event Branding

Barrier

Billboard

Flags

Display and Podiums

Display and Podiums

Standees

Drone Pad

Tent
Design

TO CONCLUDE

Indrajaal wasn’t just a project; it was a responsibility. We understood the gravity of safeguarding lives and critical infrastructure. This project pushed us to innovate, adapt, and deliver a solution that met the demands of this high-stakes undertaking.