ARAI Director Highlights ADAS Focus on Protecting Vulnerable Road Users in India
The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is steering advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) technology development toward a crucial priority: preventing collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheeler riders on Indian roads. ARAI director Reji Mathai emphasized this focus during the inauguration of a new ADAS testing facility in Takwe village near Talegaon, Pune, on Thursday.
Addressing India's Unique Road Safety Challenges
"Fatalities inside four-wheelers are largely under control in India. The majority of accidents involve pedestrians and two-wheeler riders," Mathai stated. "ADAS technology aims to mimic real driver skills specifically to protect these vulnerable road users." This targeted approach recognizes the distinct composition of Indian traffic, where two-wheelers and pedestrians constitute a significant portion of road users.
India's First Dedicated ADAS Testing Facility
The newly inaugurated test track represents a milestone in India's automotive technology landscape. As the only such facility in the country developed by ARAI, it provides car manufacturers and technology developers with a dedicated space to validate autonomous and assisted driving technologies specifically suited to Indian road conditions.
Mathai highlighted the fundamental differences between driving patterns and road conditions in India compared to countries like the United States, Europe, and China. "While these countries are early leaders in ADAS development, India must adapt such systems to its own context," he explained. This adaptation creates substantial opportunities for Indian technology firms and startups to build innovative solutions tailored for the complexities of Indian roads.
Regulatory Developments and Current Limitations
On the regulatory front, Mathai announced significant upcoming requirements. ADAS kits will become mandatory for new commercial vehicle models, including buses and trucks, by March 2027. However, no proposed regulations currently exist for adopting ADAS technology in passenger vehicles specifically suited to Indian conditions.
Mathai noted that many ADAS features currently offered in passenger vehicles are designed based on foreign testing criteria. "While these global standards are mandatory, they are not sufficient for India," he cautioned, pointing out that Indian road conditions differ sharply from what global regulations typically assume.
Demonstrations and Comprehensive Data Collection
During the facility's inauguration, ARAI demonstrated multiple ADAS applications on the test track, which was completed in September. In one demonstration, two SUVs and a truck successfully came to a halt at an intersection after detecting an approaching two-wheeler, showcasing the technology's potential effectiveness.
ARAI has undertaken extensive data collection to support this development, gathering information covering 37,000 kilometers of road networks. This comprehensive repository includes:
- The Golden Quadrilateral highway network
- 20 major cities across 24 states
- Both urban and rural road stretches
- State highways with varying conditions
- Real-world challenges including stray animals, potholes, and diverse environmental conditions
This data repository is specifically designed for assisted driving development, providing technology developers with authentic Indian road scenarios to test and refine their systems.
Future Implications for Indian Automotive Industry
The development of India-specific ADAS technology represents more than just a safety initiative. It positions Indian automotive technology companies to become leaders in developing solutions for emerging markets with similar road conditions. As global automotive technology continues to advance, India's focused approach to protecting vulnerable road users could establish new benchmarks for road safety in densely populated, mixed-traffic environments.
The ARAI testing facility serves as both a validation center for existing technologies and an incubator for new innovations. By providing a controlled environment that replicates India's unique road challenges, it enables systematic testing that was previously unavailable within the country.
