IIT Hyderabad Develops Driverless Vehicles Under Female Leadership

Professor P Rajalakshmi leads a project on driverless vehicles at IIT Hyderabad, developing autonomous shuttles for campus transportation. The TiHAN project aims to enhance off-road navigation technology, with vehicles currently serving over 10,000 passengers each run.

Women are taking on pivotal roles in the automotive industry, exemplified by Professor P Rajalakshmi at IIT Hyderabad. Leading over 100 engineers, she has advanced autonomous vehicle technology, notably designing six-seater and fourteen-seater driverless shuttles akin to Tesla’s models. These vehicles launched in August 2023 aim to transport individuals across the institute’s internal roads in Sangareddy, Telangana.

The autonomous vehicles developed by TiHAN focus on off-road navigation capabilities, serving not only students but all visitors to the campus. “IIT Hyderabad is working on autonomous navigation technologies,” states Rajalakshmi. The electric vehicles exhibit a screen to display routing via vehicle sensors and stop for 10 seconds at designated bus stops, providing announcements via voice and screens for passengers.

With a project investment of Rs 132 crore, the TiHAN initiative produced all necessary software and hardware in-house. Currently, the shuttle service operates six times daily, ferrying over 10,000 passengers with a test run of more than 15,000 kilometers. Regarding on-road usage, Rajalakshmi notes, “The (Union) government is coming up with regulations on autonomous vehicle technology,” with the introduction of driver-assisted systems expected this year.

Professor P Rajalakshmi’s leadership in the TiHAN project at IIT Hyderabad showcases the increasing role of women in the automotive industry. The introduction of autonomous vehicles designed for campus transport represents a significant step in India’s advancements in technology. The continued development and government regulation of these systems highlight a promising future for autonomous vehicles in India’s transport landscape.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com