A great multitude of tech giants and automotive players across the world are investing in the manufacturing of self-driving cars or autonomous vehicles (AVs). Many have even started test trials, including China, Japan, UK, Germany, and the US. However, the pace of the Indian automotive sector has been rather slow in this regard.
Indian automotive is counted amongst the biggest industries of the world and contributes around 7.1% to the country’s GDP. Other than that, it also creates a lot of jobs in the manufacturing and exports sector.
At the global level, many tech firms, automotive companies, and fleet service providers like Toyota, Daimler, Waymo, Tesla, Honda, Uber, BMW, Nissan, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Audi and more are investing time and capital in the development of AVs. However, in India, the government has been apprehensive of job cuts owing to automation.
Challenges in the adoption of self-driving cars in India
Nitin Gadkari, the Minister for Road Transport & Highways of India has categorically stated that the government will not allow autonomous vehicles in India, as the technology might lead to major job losses. India has almost 40 lakh drivers today, with a shortage of around 25 lakh. As per him, imparting driving skills in 25 lakh people can provide them with stable employment.
That’s a major reason why foreign automotive companies don’t view India as a potential market for self-driving cars, at least not in the near future. Another major hurdle in the path of AVs in India is poor transport and road infrastructure. However, none of these challenges have discouraged local automotive players like Mahindra, Tata, and many tech start-ups to pursue AV technology.
The Indian Motor Vehicle laws might also prove to be a problem for self-driving cars as the 1988 Motor Vehicles Act doesn’t permit the operation of fully automated vehicles in the country. It’s important for lawmakers and automotive companies to tackle the multifaceted privacy, legal and regulatory issues surrounding self-driving cars, before pushing for their introduction in the country.
Opportunities in India
In 2019, Intel, the CA-based company selected India for the development of its automated driving solutions. It started gathering data related to the country’s infrastructure, roadside behavior, and traffic patterns. They are now in the process of creating algorithms using that data, to promote automated driving in India as well as abroad.
Mahindra & Mahindra too had showcased a tractor equipped with semiautonomous technology some time ago. They are already working to launch a fully autonomous tractor in the times to come.
Final word
To conclude, while people cannot overlook the benefits offered by self-driving cars, the introduction of these vehicles in a country such as India would require a lot better town planning, wireless connectivity, network, and transport & road infrastructure.
