IIT Hyderabad Leads Driverless Vehicle Innovation with Female Pioneer

Professor P Rajalakshmi leads a team at IIT Hyderabad in developing driverless shuttle vehicles, enhancing women’s roles in automotive technology. Launched in August 2023, these electric vehicles operate on campus, offering new transportation services. The project, valued at Rs 132 crore, includes advanced navigation features and operates six times daily, having successfully ferried over 10,000 people.

The automotive landscape has undergone a transformation, with women stepping into pivotal roles in design, engineering, and management. Professor P Rajalakshmi of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad is leading this change as the head of the Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation (TiHAN). She has spearheaded a team of over 100 engineers in developing driverless shuttle vehicles similar to those from Tesla, showcasing the potential of women in technology within the automotive field.

Launched in August 2023, these autonomous shuttle vehicles are designed to operate within the internal roads of the IIT Hyderabad campus located in Sangareddy district, Telangana. As Professor Rajalakshmi stated, “IIT Hyderabad is working on autonomous navigation technologies. These are completely autonomous vehicles and are mostly meant for off-road means such as agriculture or mining.” The vehicles facilitate transport for both students and visitors on campus.

The electric four-wheeled vehicles feature advanced navigation systems, including 3D maps and obstacle detection, ensuring safe transit for users. Each shuttle stops at designated bus stops for 10 seconds, providing real-time announcements and an emergency button for safety. The project, a novel initiative for India, has a budget of Rs 132 crore, with all software and hardware developed in-house by the institute.

The driverless shuttle services operate six times daily, accommodating 14 and 6 passengers respectively. Impressively, the test vehicle has successfully traveled over 15,000 kilometers and transported more than 10,000 individuals on IIT’s campus. Regarding the potential for road operations, Professor Rajalakshmi mentioned, “The (Union) government is coming up with regulations on autonomous vehicle technology…” indicating steps are being taken to advance this technology in India.

The initiative led by Professor P Rajalakshmi at IIT Hyderabad represents a significant leap toward integrating women in automotive technology and advancing autonomous vehicle systems in India. With successful pilot tests and engineered solutions, the potential for expanding these technologies continues to grow, promising a future where autonomous vehicles play a more ubiquitous role, greatly influenced by innovative minds.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com