World News, Today World News, Latest International News, World Breaking News, Trending News of World - Times of India
· collected 2026-08-19 · by TOI World Desk
analysis
Kanav Jain, a 14-year-old student from Broxburn, Scotland, has been awarded UK Young Engineer of the Year for designing an autonomous aircraft called "AeroAid" that can deliver medicines to remote communities. According to Jain's project, his low-cost VTOL quadplane uses two separate propulsion systems and can travel long distances while using less battery power than a standard multirotor drone. The aircraft can land in difficult terrain such as forests or damaged disaster zones and has the potential to save millions of lives by providing critical humanitarian support. This achievement marks the latest recognition for Jain, who is known across the UK as "the drone boy" due to his passion for drones and previous workshops teaching youth about their practical applications.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-19,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Kanav Jain, a student from Broxburn, Scotland has been crowned UK Young Engineer of the Year for building a low-cost autonomous aircraft to deliver medicines to remote communities.
asserted
Jain → crown → communities
His project titled 'AeroAid: autonomous VTOL quadplane' won at The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition held at The Big Bang Fair.
asserted
project → title → Fair
According to a report by Plant & Works Engineering, Jain was inspired to help people in rural and remote regions where the delivery of essential emergency supplies is challenging due to a lack of reliable road access.
uncertain
delivery → accord → access
Using his passion for drones, he designed and developed a small, low-cost autonomous aircraft that can carry and deliver medicine and other essential supplies quickly and efficiently.
asserted
that → use → medicine
He hopes that his invention will help provide critical humanitarian support and save millions of lives.
asserted
invention → hop → lives
“It’s so surreal!
asserted
It → ’ → ?
The moment they say your name you completely zone out…because of how much effort you put into it, and to see all of that come to life is really great!” he said upon winning.
asserted
he → say → life
Jain entered the competition with support from Thales via a community group, First Step Robotics and is currently in S4.
asserted
Jain → enter → S4
He designed a VTOL quadplane that combines helicopter hover capabilities with aeroplane cruise efficiency.
asserted
that → design → efficiency
They use two separate propulsion systems to switch between vertical lift and forward flight.
asserted
They → use → lift
The four vertical motors spin up to lift the aircraft straight up like a drone, without needing a runway.
asserted
motors → spin → runway
Once at a safe altitude, the forward flight motor turns on.
asserted
motor → turn → altitude
As the aircraft gains forward speed, air flows over the fixed wings to create lift.
asserted
air → gain → lift
The wings fully support the aircraft's weight.
asserted
wings → support → weight
The four vertical motors turn off to save battery power, allowing for high-speed, long-range travel.
asserted
motors → turn → travel
Near the target, the forward motor slows down.
asserted
motor → slow → target
The four vertical motors restart to hover and guide the aircraft to a precise, vertical touchdown.
asserted
motors → restart → touchdown
They have better operational advantages than aircraft.
asserted
They → have → aircraft
They can land in thick forests, deep valleys or even damaged disaster zones.
asserted
They → land → forests
Their fixed wings use far less battery power than a standard multirotor drone.
asserted
wings → fix → drone
And, if the forward engine fails, the quad motors can safely guide the aircraft to the ground.
asserted
motors → fail → ground
UK's 'drone boy'
Jain is known across the United Kingdom as the 'drone boy'.
asserted
Jain → know → boy
He has previously led workshops teaching the youth about drones.
asserted
He → lead → drones
In August 2025, he held a free, interactive workshop in Glasgow, organised by the British Youth International College (BYITC).
asserted
he → hold → College
“I started building drones when I was 10 just out of curiosity and that passion turned into a mission to use drones for good,” said Kanav, who gained his drone licence at 13 years of age and is known across the UK as ‘the drone boy’.
asserted
who → start → boy
“I’m excited to show others how fun and impactful drone technology can be.
asserted
technology → ’m → others
During the recent storms, I used mine to inspect the condition of our roof as well as to check those of our neighbours’.
asserted
I → use → neighbours
Careers like drone piloting, earth observation, and structural inspection really show their value – and experiences like this inspire me, especially as I hope to work in robotics or automation in the future,” he added.
asserted
he → show → future
He was also crowned the winner of the academic category at the BYITC Inspire Awards 2025.
asserted
He → crown → Awards
James Mackay, Head of STEM, UK at Thales commented: “Congratulations to The Big Bang UK Young Engineer of the Year.
asserted
Mackay → comment → Year
We were delighted to see the creativity and impressive STEM skills from all the finalists.
asserted
We → delight → finalists
Kanav’s project really impressed the judges, along with his tenacity, dedication and drive.
asserted
project → impress → tenacity
Supporting these future engineers is truly exciting for us at Thales.
asserted
Supporting → support → Thales
The Competition is a great reminder that the next big breakthrough could come from anyone.
uncertain
breakthrough → come → anyone
We need many more young people to pursue STEM careers.
asserted
people → need → careers
It’s been great to see so many students thinking about how they can innovate and create real-world solutions with engineering.
asserted
they → see → engineering
The Big Bang Competition, run by EngineeringUK, is a national competition for young engineers, scientists and technologists aged 11 to 18.
asserted
Competition → run → engineers
The top 3 winners each receive £1,000 prize money.
asserted
winners → receive → money
Run by EngineeringUK, The Big Bang Fair is supported by organisations across the engineering and STEM sector including major supporter Rolls-Royce, easyJet, EDF Energy, Royal Aeronautical Society, The Wildlife Trust, University of Cambridge and V&A museum.
asserted
Fair → support → Cambridge
