These shuttles were developed from scratch as part of the autonomous mobility research conducted by the TiHAN (Technology innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation) centre

Driverless cars have become a popular topic since Tesla introduced the hands-free driving capabilities of its electric cars in the USA. Many global brands are also working on developing their own autonomous driving technologies. In India, various carmakers and tech start-ups are working towards the same goal.

Also Read: Kia Will Make Global Quality EVs In India, To Also Set Up EV-exclusive Stores Here

Among them is IIT Hyderabad, where the university’s TiHAN centre has developed driverless electric shuttles. These shuttles utilize LiDAR-based navigation and are equipped with GPS, which can be used to summon them through a mobile app. Currently, these shuttles are being used within the campus by students and faculty members for transportation. In the future, they will also serve as a source of data collection for driverless cars.

Leading The Research Into Driverless Possibilities

TiHAN IIT Hyderabad is one of the leading centres for developing autonomous mobility tech in the country. It has a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NATRAX (National Automotive Test Tracks) to collaborate on autonomous navigation testing facilities and related upskilling of human resources.

Why Is Autonomous Driving Technology Important?

There are two main reasons for developing driverless technology: convenience and improved safety. Let’s discuss the convenience aspect first. Commuting is a major task in urban life, made even more tiresome by traffic congestion. Autonomous driving capabilities will free people from this chore, making commuting more productive and relaxing. It will also reduce dependency for individuals who cannot drive, such as children or elderly family members.

The second reason is safety. Driverless cars are expected to help reduce accidents. These cars will utilize driver assistance features like ADAS, which have already proven helpful in accident prevention. With more driverless cars on the roads, improved communication and coordinated driving can be achieved, resulting in a significant impact on safety and a decrease in the number of incidents, once the technology is fully developed.

Autonomous driving technology faces unique challenges on Indian roadways, but we are already witnessing some benefits. More mass-market cars now come equipped with ADAS to enhance safety and convenience on expressways. While autonomous tech may not completely replace traditional driving, it is only a matter of time before its implementation for the overall benefit of all stakeholders in relevant use cases. To achieve this, the real-world data collected by various brands and research centers over time will be instrumental in effective implementation.