IIT-Hyderabad Researchers Develop Autonomous Vehicles Suited for Indian Traffic

Researchers at the Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation (TiHAN) at the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IIT-H) have announced a significant breakthrough in autonomous vehicle technology, claiming that their vehicles are better suited to navigate India's complex traffic systems compared to those developed by foreign companies. The autonomous vehicles were demonstrated in the presence of IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu and IIT-H Director Prof. B.S. Murty.

Project Director Prof. P. Rajalakshmi shared that the team collected over 4,000 km of traffic data from Indian roads, which was then uploaded to the cloud. This data allows the vehicles to recognize and navigate obstacles, vehicles, humans, traffic signals, signs, and challenging road conditions, including the difficult "S" curves commonly found in India.

During the demonstration, the autonomous vehicles showcased their ability to smoothly maneuver through the complex traffic scenarios typical of Indian roads. Minister Sridhar Babu also announced that the State government plans to include the IIT-H Director as a member of the board of Skill University, alongside an investment of Rs 2,400 crore to enhance the capabilities of 65 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the State, aiming to boost the skill base of students.