DRDO Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Robotic develops ‘ATMAN AI’, alongwith 5C Network & HCG Academics

To combat COVID fatalities involving lung, the DRDO Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), with the support of 5C Network & HCG Academics has developed “ATMAN AI”, an Artificial Intelligence algorithm that can detect the presence of COVID-19 disease in Chest X Rays.

ATMAN AI is used for chest X-ray screening as a triaging tool in Covid-19 diagnosis, a method for rapid identification and assessment of lung involvement.

This will be utilized by online diagnostic startup 5C Network, India’s largest digital network of radiologists, with support of HCG Academics across India. 

Speaking about the initiative Dr. U K Singh, Director, CAIR, DRDO said “The development of ATMAN, an Artificial Intelligence based diagnostic tool for Chest X-ray screening is a part of DRDO’s effort to help clinicians and partners on the front line to have the tools they need to rapidly diagnose and effectively treat COVID-19 patients. Given the limited testing facilities for coronavirus, there is a rush to develop AI tools for quick analysis using x-rays. The tool will help in automatically detecting radiological findings indicative of Covid-19 in seconds, enabling physicians and radiologists to more effectively triage the cases, especially in an emergency environment.”

Co-Founder and CEO Kalyan Sivasailam,5C Network, said “5C has been doing over 4500 covid scans everyday and our AI-powered algorithms have proven to help radiologists triage patients better. We are excited to develop Atman AI for COVID detection in Chest X-rays. Utilizing the algorithms for chest X-ray is an effective triaging tool which can be accessible to the common man in remotest districts of this country. This will have a significant impact on timely care and appropriate treatment.”

Speaking about the initiative Dr. Vishal Rao - Dean Academics -Centre of Academic Research, HCG Cancer Hospital, said “We are extremely delighted to have partnered with DRDO to support and conceive this novel initiative. This will help to reassure vulnerable health care workers and improve efficacy in hospitals without increasing the financial burden for patients and healthcare systems.  Furthermore, similar methods can be used to assess predominant respiratory diseases affecting the vulnerable population and programs initiated which will decelerate the burden of disease on the Govt and the community.”