The continuous evolution of vehicle safety technologies and the increasing integration of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in passenger cars hold the promise of preventing accidents and enhancing road safety. However, the implementation of ADAS features in vehicles sold in India is still in its early stages and faces significant challenges. These challenges include sub-standard road infrastructure, the absence of standardized road signage, and poor driver behaviour.
To address these issues and raise awareness among citizens and the automotive industry, the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) organized the ADAS Show in Manesar, Haryana.
In a panel discussion on ‘Policy and Infrastructure Perspectives on ADAS,’ industry experts emphasized the need for customized solutions and regulations tailored to Indian road conditions. Dr. Hanif Qureshi, IPS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries highlighted the importance of developing standards specific to India, considering the unique road conditions. Saurabh Dalela, Director at ICAT, stressed the need to Indianize existing European standards to suit the local environment.
Regarding the readiness for ADAS testing infrastructure in India, Dalela mentioned that the government’s forward-thinking initiatives have laid the foundation for testing and validating Level-1 and Level-2 ADAS features. However, reaching Level-3 and beyond will take time and necessitate the creation of test tracks resembling cityscapes with realistic elements like pedestrians and traffic.
Dr. Tapan Sahoo, Executive Director, Engineering, Maruti Suzuki India emphasized the challenge of addressing liability issues as ADAS technology evolves. He highlighted India’s potential to become a testbed for ADAS solutions due to its unique use cases.
Ganesh S Rao, Director & Head – R&D ADAS Engineering and Autonomous Mobility, Continental India pointed out that India’s current road infrastructure requires localized ADAS solutions developed and tested by Indian talent.
Nirmal K Minda, Chairman, Uno Minda believes that “the PLI scheme is helping the industry to localise advanced components by doing backward integration. With India being the fastest growing economy in the world, there is a big opportunity for India going forward, and all automotive and electronics majors are looking at the country.”
Localization of ADAS technology is considered vital for quicker adoption, especially considering the cost sensitivity of Indian consumers. The government’s support through schemes like the production-linked incentive (PLI) further encourages the localization of advanced automotive components, including ADAS.
The panelists also discussed the need for cybersecurity measures, considering the complexity of ADAS technology and India’s specific road conditions. They stressed the urgency of enacting a Data Protection Act to address cybersecurity concerns.
In conclusion, the industry leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, including the government, industry, and academia, to drive the adoption of ADAS in India. They highlighted the need for increased research on ADAS solutions tailored to the Indian context, with a focus on developing customized solutions with global potential.