Autonomous navigation, sometimes described as ‘level 5 automation’ is the ability of robots and automated systems to map the environment and plan their path, without human assistance. Consequently, Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) are vehicles that can do everything a traditional vehicle does, but without human intervention. Driverless cars are where vehicles are fully self-driving and the human driver becomes a passenger. Similarly, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without any human pilot on board.

The AV ecosystem in India is still at a nascent stage. According to KPMG’s 2020 Autonomous Vehicle Readiness Index, India ranks 29th out of 30 countries in the list. However, concerted efforts from the automotive and AI industries are underway to make some considerable progress in the field. The government, too, is providing its support to encourage innovation in the field of AVs and drone technology. Here are some notable initiatives.

• Rustom 2 UAV: This is a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle that can carry different combinations of payloads like synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence systems, and situational awareness payloads. Developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the DRDO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and BEL, it is for the requirements of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.  Rustom 2 UAV was successfully tested by DRDO in February 2018.
• Unmanned underwater vehicles for the Navy: In April 2018, Mahindra Defence partnered with Israeli drone-maker Aeronautics to build unmanned underwater vehicles for the Indian Navy. Aeronautic will offer maritime version of Orbiter 4 to the Indian Navy, which is an advanced multi-mission platform with the ability to carry and operate two different payloads simultaneously. The shipborne UAV will carry state of the art sensor payloads and will be capable of being launched and recovered from small warships that do not have a helicopter deck such as small warships which are around 50 m in length.
• National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020: This is one of the most important initiatives undertaken by the Government of India that has the potential to bring about a transformational paradigm shift in the automotive and transportation industry in the country. This is a culmination of a comprehensive collaborative planning for promotion of hybrid and electric mobility in India through a combination of policies aimed at gradually ensuring a vehicle population of about 6-7 million electric/hybrid vehicles in India by the year 2020 along with a certain level of indigenisation of technology ensuring India’s global leadership in some vehicle segments.
• Automotive Research Association of India: ARAI and Cognizant Technologies are co-developing India’s first indigenous autonomous car prototype. The ARAI, Pune, is an autonomous research institution of Automotive Industry with the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Govt. of India.
• Motor Vehicles Act: Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 has replaced its predecessor to permit autonomous vehicle testing in India.