India's Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), provided financial assistance to Puretronics India Private Limited on 30 June 2026 for the commercialisation of its Load Magnetic Overload (LMO) Sensor — described as India's first fully contactless programmable load measurement system.

🧲 Contactless Load Measurement

The LMO system measures load through a non-contact magnetic sensing principle, differing from conventional load cells.

  • Conventional load cells use mechanical strain gauges.
  • The LMO system uses magnetic sensors, digital signal processing and programmable embedded electronics.
  • It measures load without direct mechanical contact with the sensing element.

🏭 Industrial Automation Applications

The LMO system is designed for integration with modern industrial automation systems.

  • Works with PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).
  • Works with SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition).
  • Works with IoT (Internet of Things)-based industrial systems.
  • Used in industrial monitoring, control and data collection.

🏗️ Use Cases in Equipment Safety

The technology is intended for safety-critical load-bearing equipment.

  • Elevators, cranes, hoists, material handling equipment and cable machinery.
  • Supports load monitoring for operational control, weight measurement and equipment management.
  • Aims to reduce maintenance and calibration needs in industrial use.

🏛️ Institutional Context

Puretronics India Private Limited developed the LMO Sensor as a commercial industrial technology.

TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak stated on 30 June 2026 that such innovations support the development of globally competitive industrial technologies in India.

📌 Key Points (Important Facts for Exams)

  • The LMO Sensor is India's first fully contactless programmable load measurement system.
  • It was backed by the Technology Development Board (TDB) for commercialisation on 30 June 2026.
  • TDB functions under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
  • Conventional load cells use strain gauges; LMO uses magnetic sensors.
  • SCADA = Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition; PLC = Programmable Logic Controller; IoT = Internet of Things.
  • Developed by Puretronics India Private Limited.

🎯 Conclusion

The TDB-backed LMO Contactless Load Measurement System highlights India's push towards indigenous, globally competitive industrial technologies. As a Science & Technology current affairs topic, it is useful for the General Awareness sections of SSC, Banking, Railway, UPSC and state-level examinations.

📝 Practice MCQs

Q1. The LMO Sensor is described as India's first fully contactless programmable system for measuring?

a) Temperature
b) Load
c) Pressure
d) Humidity
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼

✔ Correct Answer: (b) Load

The LMO Sensor is a contactless programmable load measurement system.

Q2. Which board provided financial assistance for commercialising the LMO Sensor?

a) Technology Development Board
b) Bureau of Energy Efficiency
c) National Productivity Council
d) Central Board of Direct Taxes
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼

✔ Correct Answer: (a) Technology Development Board

The Technology Development Board (TDB) provided the financial assistance.

Q3. The Technology Development Board functions under which department?

a) Department of Heavy Industry
b) Department of Science and Technology
c) Department of Space
d) Department of Atomic Energy
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼

✔ Correct Answer: (b) Department of Science and Technology

TDB functions under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Q4. Which company developed the LMO Sensor?

a) Bharat Electronics
b) Puretronics India Private Limited
c) HAL
d) Tata Advanced Systems
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼

✔ Correct Answer: (b) Puretronics India Private Limited

Puretronics India Private Limited developed the LMO Sensor.

Q5. Conventional load cells typically use which technology?

a) Magnetic sensors
b) Strain gauges
c) Laser sensors
d) Ultrasonic sensors
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼

✔ Correct Answer: (b) Strain gauges

Conventional load cells commonly use mechanical strain gauges.

Q6. The LMO system measures load using which sensing principle?

a) Optical
b) Non-contact magnetic
c) Piezoelectric
d) Capacitive
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼

✔ Correct Answer: (b) Non-contact magnetic

The LMO uses a non-contact magnetic sensing principle.

Q7. SCADA in industrial automation stands for?

a) Standard Control and Data Access
b) Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
c) System Control and Digital Automation
d) Sensor Control and Data Analytics
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼

✔ Correct Answer: (b) Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition

SCADA = Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.

Q8. PLC stands for?

a) Programmable Logic Controller
b) Power Line Communication
c) Public Ledger Control
d) Process Level Coordinator
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼

✔ Correct Answer: (a) Programmable Logic Controller

PLC = Programmable Logic Controller.

Q9. Which of these is a typical use case of the LMO system?

a) Weather forecasting
b) Elevators, cranes and hoists
c) DNA sequencing
d) Satellite navigation
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼

✔ Correct Answer: (b) Elevators, cranes and hoists

It is intended for elevators, cranes, hoists and material handling equipment.

Q10. IoT stands for?

a) Internet of Things
b) Index of Technology
c) Integration of Tools
d) Internal Operations Tracker
👉 SHOW ANSWER ▼

✔ Correct Answer: (a) Internet of Things

IoT refers to connected devices and sensors.

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