Hyderabad, Aug 27 (Representative) The NMICPS Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation (TiHAN) Foundation at IIT Hyderabad (IITH) is developing advanced autonomous vehicle systems optimised for India’s complex and diverse road conditions, in collaboration with Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC). Telangana Minister for IT and Industries D.Sridhar Babu, who participated in a review meeting of the ongoing collaborative project ‘“ADAS for Point-to-Point Navigation System for Autonomous Car Adaptable for Indian Scenarios” — between TiHAN and SMC at Sangareddy, outskirts of the city here on Monday, said this project aims to develop advanced autonomous vehicle systems optimised for India’s complex and diverse road conditions. Praising the collaborative efforts between TiHAN and SMC, the Minister stated that, the partnership is a prime example of how academia and industry can come together to solve real-world challenges. The work being done here at TiHAN, in collaboration with SMC, is not only advancing autonomous navigation technology but also ensuring that these innovations are tailored to meet the unique needs of Indian roads, said Sridhar Babu. This is crucial for the future of transportation in our country; he said and underscored the importance of reversing the brain drain and fostering the growth of Indian technocrats. “We are making every effort to reverse the brain drain by creating world-class research and development opportunities right here in India,” the IT Minister said.
By promoting innovation and providing a platform for our technocrats to excel, we are ensuring that the best minds contribute to the growth and transformation of our nation, he said. The IT Minister emphasised equipping 65 ITIs with modern technologies and also proposed to onboard the Director of IITH to Skilled University, Telangana Government’s Initiative. The Minister was briefed on the project’s progress by Dr. P. Rajalakshmi, Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty in Department of Artificial Intelligence, and Project Director of TiHAN, which includes the integration of advanced sensing technologies, real-time data acquisition, and AI-driven decision-making systems designed to enhance road safety and efficiency. Highlighting the institute’s ongoing efforts to advance skilling and education,IITH Director Prof B S Murty said “At IIT Hyderabad, we are not just pushing the boundaries of research but are also committed to preparing the next generation of skilled professionals. Our AI UG programs are designed to equip students and professionals with the necessary expertise to excel in this rapidly evolving field, we introduced the MTech program in Smart Mobility, designed to meet the increasing demand for expertise in intelligent transportation systems, he added.
Our MTech in Smart Mobility bridges the gap between academic research and industry requirements, ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared to lead in the future of mobility,” Prof. P Rajalakshmi presented the latest developments and research achievements of the hub. The presentation showcased TiHAN’s breakthroughs in autonomous vehicle technology, including the integration of sophisticated sensing systems, VSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), AI-driven decision-making algorithms, real-time obstacle detection, and optimal path planning tailored to Indian roads. She also emphasised ongoing research in intelligent transportation systems that promise to enhance road safety and efficiency across the country. Impressing by the progress and potential of the TiHAN-SMC project, SMC Vice President Mr. Kurachi Nobunari, who participated in the meeting, expressed strong interest in pursuing future collaborations with TiHAN appreciating the work being done at TiHAN which aligns perfectly with their vision for the future of smart mobility. The Vice President remarked that “we are keen to explore further opportunities to work together on projects that push the boundaries of innovation in autonomous systems.”