- IT Minister Applauds TiHAN, IIT Hyderabad at the Review Meeting of IITH Suzuki Motor Corporation Project – “ADAS for Point-to-Point Navigation System for Autonomous Car Adaptable for Indian Scenarios”
- Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics &
Communications; Industries & Commerce; and Legislative Affairs, Telangana, the esteemed IT Minister, on an official visit today - The visit was a significant event, highlighting TiHAN’s cutting-edge advancements in autonomous navigation technologies, particularly those designed to address the unique challenges of Indian road conditions.
- During the visit, the IT Minister was given a comprehensive tour of TiHAN’s world-class facilities, including the first-of-its-kind autonomous vehicle testbed for Aerial and Terrestrial vehicles.
Hyderabad, India, August 26, 2024: The NMICPS Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation (TiHAN) Foundation at IIT Hyderabad had the honor of welcoming Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications; Industries & Commerce; and Legislative Affairs, Telangana, the esteemed IT Minister, on an official visit today along with T Jayaprakash Reddy, Ex MLA, Sangareddy. The visit was a significant event, highlighting TiHAN’s cutting edge advancements in autonomous navigation technologies, particularly those designed to address the unique
challenges of Indian road conditions.
Prof. Tarun Kanti Panda, Dean of International Relations of IIT Hyderabad welcomed the dignitaries to TiHAN for the Suzuki Review Meeting.
A key highlight of the event was the Minister’s participation in a review meeting of the ongoing collaborative project between TiHAN-IITH and the Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC). This project aims to develop advanced autonomous vehicle systems optimized for India’s complex and diverse road conditions.
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.
Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister in his address, praised the collaborative efforts between
TiHAN and SMC, stating 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. This is crucial for the future of transportation in our country.
He underscored the importance of reversing the brain drain and fostering the growth of Indian technocrats and said “We are making every effort to reverse the brain drain by creating world-class research and development opportunities right here in India. Initiatives like TiHAN, in collaboration with industry leaders such as Maruti Suzuki, are central to this mission. 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,”
The IT Minister emphasized equipping 65 ITIs with modern technologies and also proposed to onboard the Director of IITH to Skilled University, Telangana Government’s Initiative.
Prof. B. S. Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad, highlighted the institute’s ongoing efforts to advance skilling and education and 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. 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 emphasized ongoing research in intelligent transportation systems that promise to enhance road safety and efficiency across the country.
The review meeting also saw the active participation of Mr. Kurachi Nobunari, Vice president of Suzuki Motor Corporation. Impressed by the progress and potential of the TiHAN-SMC project, he 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” Reflecting on Suzuki’s pioneering role in the Indian automotive industry, Mr. Piyush Agarwal, Senior Division Manager of Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) said that “we are proud to continue this legacy by working towards making revolutionary autonomous technologies accessible to all. The Vice President also emphasized Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to democratizing technology and advancing autonomous navigation
systems with a vision to make autonomous driving a reality for all, ensuring that every road in India is safer and smarter”. He was also joined by Mr. Kentaro Yano, Senior Division Manager, and Mr. Avnish Gossain, Department Manager of MSIL.
