The burgeoning integration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) into vehicles holds the promise of significantly enhancing road safety in India. However, the nascent implementation of ADAS features faces formidable challenges unique to the Indian landscape, including sub-standard road infrastructure and a lack of standardized road signages.

The recent ICAT ADAS Show in Manesar delved into these challenges, emphasizing the imperative need for Indianized solutions and regulations to seamlessly incorporate advanced safety technologies into vehicles on Indian roads. The panel discussion on 'Policy and Infrastructure Perspectives on ADAS' underscored key insights from industry experts.

A senior representative highlighted the necessity for defining standards tailored to India's distinct road conditions, highlighting the differences from global standards. Given that India is primarily a small car market, there is a crucial decision-making process between industry and government on selecting ADAS features pertinent to the country.

The importance of adapting European standards such as ECE-159, 160, and 161 to Indian road conditions was stressed by another expert. This adaptation aims to ensure that standards align with the specific challenges posed by India's diverse and unique road infrastructure.

Discussing the readiness of the industry in terms of testing infrastructure for ADAS, it was noted that while the government has laid a robust foundation for Level-1 and Level-2 ADAS features, progressing to Level-3 and beyond necessitates considerable time and planning. The need for test tracks simulating cityscapes, incorporating nuances like pedestrians and traffic, was highlighted.

Challenges related to liability and policy considerations in ADAS calibration were addressed. The evolving nature of ADAS technology introduces complexities in defining standards while stressing the emerging challenge of liability. India, with its unique use cases, was positioned as a potential global test bed for ADAS solutions.

The crucial role of local talent in overcoming challenges posed by India's road infrastructure was emphasized. Plug-and-play ADAS solutions from overseas were deemed impractical without the development of customised solutions tailored to the Indian road environment.

Given the cost sensitivity of Indian consumers, the localisation of ADAS technology was deemed vital to drive adoption. Automotive companies are actively engaged in calibrating ADAS for the Indian market, innovating cost-effective solutions, and localising components. Government initiatives, such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, were acknowledged as key enablers for the localisation drive.

Under the PLI scheme, ADAS components are incentivised, aligning with the government's focus on advanced automotive components. The scheme aims to foster local manufacturing and innovation, providing a significant opportunity for the Indian automotive industry to contribute to the global landscape.

Industry leaders urged component manufacturers to adopt a start-up mindset, invest in research and development, and continually innovate. The disruptive phase in the automotive industry underscores the need for proactive R&D efforts to navigate the evolving landscape effectively.

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