India Clears Path for Safer Driving Technologies

India has eliminated licensing requirements for the use of radio spectrum in collision-avoidance systems and advanced driver-assistance or autonomous driving systems. The measure is intended to remove barriers for automakers and promote the adoption of safety technologies on roads that are among the most dangerous in the world.

In 2024, India recorded nearly half a million traffic accidents, in which more than 177,000 people died, according to government data.

The new rules apply to radar sensors in the 77–81 GHz frequency band, as well as to systems using the 5.9 GHz band for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, allowing vehicles to communicate with each other and with road infrastructure.

India is aligning itself with standards already in effect in the United States and the European Union, allowing automakers to use standardized technologies without developing costlier local solutions. The changes will also facilitate the deployment of driver-assistance systems by domestic manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra.

Radar sensors enable features such as emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot alerts. Additionally, V2X systems can warn drivers of hazards outside their field of vision, such as a vehicle braking suddenly around a curve or an approaching ambulance.

(Reuters, bak)