Latest news with #TiHAN
Mint
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Video: IIT Hyderabad tests AI-based software to operate driverless buses within its campus
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad's Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation (TiHAN) has created artificial intelligence-based software to operate driverless buses within its campus. The system is being used to transport students and faculty members between various locations inside the institute. According to TiHAN officials, the autonomous vehicle currently operates only within campus limits and not on public roads. Since its deployment, the bus has transported more than 10,000 passengers. Around 90 per cent of users have provided positive feedback, the team said. The technology relies on an array of sensors and can be adapted to different types of vehicles, ranging from electric to internal combustion engine models. The service has drawn interest from other educational institutions and the Telangana state government, which are exploring potential applications. Developers noted that the technology may be suitable for deployment at airports, large educational campuses, or industrial sites, where traffic conditions are relatively predictable. In an effort to adapt the system for Indian road conditions, TiHAN has undertaken extensive data collection. This includes trials with a specially equipped sport utility vehicle (SUV) travelling from Hyderabad to Jammu. The project, called 'Safari', covered approximately 4,000 kilometres in one direction, with the return trip bringing the total to about 8,000 kilometres. During the journey, the team passed through nearly 35 cities, gathering information on different road types, traffic patterns, and environmental conditions. The collected data is being used to train and fine-tune the autonomous navigation algorithms, with the aim of improving performance in diverse weather and traffic situations. TiHAN engineers stated that the system has been tested successfully in controlled environments, but further evaluation in uncontrolled, real-world conditions is necessary before any broader commercial roll-out can be considered. Officials involved in the project also highlighted the potential safety benefits of autonomous technology, particularly in reducing road accidents and fatalities. However, they emphasised that rigorous trials and regulatory approvals will be required before the technology can be introduced for general use beyond controlled premises.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
India's drive toward autonomous, AI-native mobility begins
At the ETAutoTech Summit 2025, the tone was set: India's not just chasing innovation — it's building its own. The event brought together leaders from across the ecosystem to talk AI, autonomy, indigenous IP, and collaboration with unlikely partners like ISRO. Meanwhile, Tesla's robotaxi rollout faces technical and political turbulence, even as Indian AVs quietly inch forward. From IIT Hyderabad's TiHAN to TCS' SDV labs in Europe — it's clear: the road to future mobility is being paved fast, and everywhere. ETAutoTech Summit 2025: Innovation and urgency to scale indigenous capabilities take centre stage India's automotive industry is going full throttle on localisation — from electrification to AI-native platforms . ETAutoTech Summit 2025 became the rallying point for stakeholders who believe India isn't just participating in the EV-autonomous revolution — it's aiming to lead it. Read more ETAutoTech Summit 2025: Pawan Goenka urges ISRO-Auto industry collaboration on sensor tech In one of the event's key moments, Pawan Goenka called for ISRO to team up with automakers to build world-class sensor systems. From GNSS to LIDAR, the pitch is simple — space-grade precision could power the next-gen Indian autonomous stack. Read more Indian autonomous driving tech for India, and the world Autonomy isn't one-size-fits-all — and India's proving it. With unpredictable roads and unique conditions, Indian AV developers are solving edge cases that global players can't. This video explores how our chaos could become our competitive advantage. Watch now How is Tesla expected to remotely control its robotaxis, and what are its limitations? Tesla's approach to robotaxis involves remote operation fallback — think human drivers overseeing fleets through control centers. But real-time decision-making over networks has its risks: latency, liability, and edge-case failures remain unresolved. Read more TiHAN-IITH moots industry consortium for autonomous navigation TiHAN at IIT Hyderabad is building the R&D backbone for Indian autonomy. It now wants to create an industry consortium to leverage its testbeds, labs, and simulation platforms. A collaborative effort to drive standards and scale. Read more TCS expands software-defined vehicle capabilities in Europe with new hub With new centres in Germany and Romania, TCS is doubling down on SDVs — building embedded software, cloud stacks and cybersecurity layers for next-gen cars. The global auto industry is clearly taking Indian IT very seriously. Read more Elon Musk faces pushback as Texas lawmakers urge delay of Tesla robotaxi launch Regulatory brakes are being applied in the US. Lawmakers in Texas want Tesla to pause its robotaxi deployment, citing safety concerns and lack of transparency. The tension between innovation and regulation is on full display. Read more As India accelerates toward a software-first, AI-powered mobility future, the question is no longer 'if' but 'how soon.' The tools are being built, the coalitions are forming, and the ambition is loud and clear. The next lap? Real-world execution — at scale. We'd love to hear what you think about this edition of the newsletter! Your feedback and suggestions help us improve and deliver content that matters to you.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
TiHAN-IITH moots industry consortium for autonomous navigation, offers tech and test infra
Mumbai/New Delhi: As India embarks on a mission to lead in autonomous mobility by 2047, the NMICPS Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation (TiHAN) at IIT Hyderabad is leading the charge with a woman engineer at the helm--Dr. P Rajalakshmi, who is the Project Director at the Dept. of Electrical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad. TiHAN-IITH is working to strengthen industry collaboration, while also positioning itself as the country's first dedicated autonomous vehicle testbed . Born in 2022 and funded by the Government of India through the Department of Science Technology, the initiative aims to provide access to advanced infrastructure, data, and collaborative opportunities for validating autonomous technologies in Indian driving conditions. 'We have developed a complete in-house autonomous driving stack. This proprietary system entirely designed, tested, and validated by the institute, includes multi-sensor fusion, perception algorithms, path planning, and control systems, representing a fully integrated end-to-end solution,' Dr Rajalakshmi told ETAuto. This stack, which is TiHAN's intellectual property, has been field-tested through an autonomous campus shuttle, which is equipped with core autonomous features including Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). It can detect obstacles, maintain safe following distances, and respond dynamically to its environment. ETAuto has learned that a proposal has been submitted to TiHAN's advisory board to introduce a negotiable membership model for OEMs, suppliers and industry partners, with an indicative fee of around ₹1 crore for a three-year term. This membership would grant access to the autonomous testbeds, data sets, and research collaborations. Capability and strength The autonomous shuttle currently deployed at IIT Hyderabad has reached Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL-9), indicating it has been successfully tested, validated, and deployed in a real-world environment. Operating daily on campus, the shuttle carries 45–50 passengers without a driver. This places the technology just one step away from TRL-10, the stage at which solutions are industrialised and ready for mass production. While the current deployment focuses on low-speed autonomous shuttles, TiHAN's technology stack is adaptable to higher-speed vehicles as well. The institute emphasises that sensor fusion, perception, path planning, and control algorithms are all tailored based on vehicle type and intended speed. Dr Rajalakshmi asserted that the team has the technical competence to develop end-to-end autonomous vehicle solutions, adaptable across various use cases and driving conditions. At CES 2025 in Las Vegas, USA, the team showcased its innovations and also signed an MoU with Tier-1 supplier Sona Comstar. Autonomous technology in India Expressing confidence in autonomous technology becoming mainstream in India, Dr. Rajalakshmi emphasised its relevance in areas where road safety is a critical concern. 'Human error remains the leading cause of road accidents. Even achieving Level 2 autonomy, with advanced driver assistance, can make a significant impact on safety,' she noted. However, she sees Level 4 and 5 autonomous technologies (where no driver intervention is required) as more viable for off-road use cases such as agriculture, mining, and port operations, rather than public roadways. She added that fully autonomous vehicles must also be connected and capable of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication. Once this integrated ecosystem matures, India has the potential to emerge as a global leader in next-generation mobility solutions. Future of mobility Beyond ground mobility, TiHAN is actively developing heavy-payload autonomous drones and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) with a focus on real-world use cases such as air ambulances, emergency evacuations, and cargo transport in remote or high-altitude terrains. 'These drones are designed to carry not just individuals, but also substantial cargo loads, making them suitable for sectors like fisheries, disaster response, and military logistics, particularly in areas where traditional road transport faces limitations,' she said. The two working prototypes include a 60 kg payload autonomous drone, capable of transporting a nominal passenger, which has undergone over a year of successful testing at 100–150 meters above ground level. Another is a cargo drone with a 150 kg payload capacity, currently undergoing autonomous trials within the 600-acre IIT Hyderabad campus, covering flight distances of 3 to 3.5 km. With innovation at its core and a clear goal in sight, TiHAN's initiative, guided by a woman, seeks to accelerate India's efforts into the future of autonomous mobility.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Women in Engineering Day Special: TiHAN-IITH eyes industry-led vehicle test bed consortium
Mumbai/New Delhi: As India embarks on a mission to lead in autonomous mobility by 2047, the NMICPS Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation (TiHAN) at IIT Hyderabad is leading the charge with a woman engineer at the helm--Dr. P Rajalakshmi, who is the Project Director at the Dept. of Electrical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad. TiHAN-IITH is working to strengthen industry collaboration, while also positioning itself as the country's first dedicated autonomous vehicle testbed . Born in 2022 and funded by the Government of India through the Department of Science Technology, the initiative aims to provide access to advanced infrastructure, data, and collaborative opportunities for validating autonomous technologies in Indian driving conditions. 'We have developed a complete in-house autonomous driving stack. This proprietary system entirely designed, tested, and validated by the institute, includes multi-sensor fusion, perception algorithms, path planning, and control systems, representing a fully integrated end-to-end solution,' Dr Rajalakshmi told ETAuto. This stack, which is TiHAN's intellectual property, has been field-tested through an autonomous campus shuttle, which is equipped with core autonomous features including Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). It can detect obstacles, maintain safe following distances, and respond dynamically to its environment. ETAuto has learned that a proposal has been submitted to TiHAN's advisory board to introduce a negotiable membership model for OEMs, suppliers and industry partners, with an indicative fee of around ₹1 crore for a three-year term. This membership would grant access to the autonomous testbeds, data sets, and research collaborations. Capability and strength The autonomous shuttle currently deployed at IIT Hyderabad has reached Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL-9), indicating it has been successfully tested, validated, and deployed in a real-world environment. Operating daily on campus, the shuttle carries 45–50 passengers without a driver. This places the technology just one step away from TRL-10, the stage at which solutions are industrialised and ready for mass production. While the current deployment focuses on low-speed autonomous shuttles, TiHAN's technology stack is adaptable to higher-speed vehicles as well. The institute emphasises that sensor fusion, perception, path planning, and control algorithms are all tailored based on vehicle type and intended speed. Dr Rajalakshmi asserted that the team has the technical competence to develop end-to-end autonomous vehicle solutions, adaptable across various use cases and driving conditions. At CES 2025 in Las Vegas, USA, the team showcased its innovations and also signed an MoU with Tier-1 supplier Sona Comstar. Autonomous technology in India Expressing confidence in autonomous technology becoming mainstream in India, Dr. Rajalakshmi emphasised its relevance in areas where road safety is a critical concern. 'Human error remains the leading cause of road accidents. Even achieving Level 2 autonomy, with advanced driver assistance, can make a significant impact on safety,' she noted. However, she sees Level 4 and 5 autonomous technologies (where no driver intervention is required) as more viable for off-road use cases such as agriculture, mining, and port operations, rather than public roadways. She added that fully autonomous vehicles must also be connected and capable of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication. Once this integrated ecosystem matures, India has the potential to emerge as a global leader in next-generation mobility solutions. Future of mobility Beyond ground mobility, TiHAN is actively developing heavy-payload autonomous drones and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) with a focus on real-world use cases such as air ambulances, emergency evacuations, and cargo transport in remote or high-altitude terrains. 'These drones are designed to carry not just individuals, but also substantial cargo loads, making them suitable for sectors like fisheries, disaster response, and military logistics, particularly in areas where traditional road transport faces limitations,' she said. The two working prototypes include a 60 kg payload autonomous drone, capable of transporting a nominal passenger, which has undergone over a year of successful testing at 100–150 meters above ground level. Another is a cargo drone with a 150 kg payload capacity, currently undergoing autonomous trials within the 600-acre IIT Hyderabad campus, covering flight distances of 3 to 3.5 km. With innovation at its core and a clear goal in sight, TiHAN's initiative, guided by a woman, seeks to accelerate India's efforts into the future of autonomous mobility.
