India’s first ‘ADAS City’ opens near Pune: Why your next car might soon drive itself through chaotic roads

Officers highlighted that sensors used in ADAS need to be calibrated according to Indian conditions, including varied traffic behaviour and overloaded vehicles. Data collected from across the country is being utilised to fine-tune systems and identify key scenarios that can help reduce accidents. Several ADAS functions — including Auto Emergency Braking, Driver Drowsiness Detection, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, and Moving Object Detection — are expected to become mandatory for new commercial vehicle models by 2027.

Dr Reji Mathai, director, ARAI, said that ADAS technologies are central to improving road safety in India.

“Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are key to safer mobility, and ARAI remains committed to enabling the transition towards safe, smart, and sustainable transportation,” he said.

Industry partners participating in the demonstration emphasised the significance of the new facility. Fareed Ahmed from Aayera noted that the 20-acre site is entirely dedicated to ADAS testing and marks an important starting point for India’s indigenous development in this field.

Elie Luskin, vice-president for India and China at Mobileye, said the company aims to introduce a “navigate-on-pilot” system — a hands-off but eyes-on driving technology — to Indian roads by 2027, with a strong focus on localised solutions tailored to domestic conditions.

Abhijit Sengupta, senior director at HERE Technologies, highlighted the role of advanced mapping and location intelligence in enabling ADAS functionality.

He said the platform supports navigation mapping, hazard information, addressing structures, and logistics applications, delivering real-time and accurate data for automotive and enterprise users.

The live demonstration reflected growing collaboration between research institutions and global technology firms as India accelerates efforts to adopt intelligent mobility solutions and strengthen road safety standards.

(Ritesh Dhar is an intern with The Indian Express)