The NMICPS Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation  (TiHAN) Foundation at IIT Hyderabad had the honor of welcoming Shri. Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Hon'ble  Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications; Industries & Commerce; and  Legislative Affairs, Telangana, the esteemed IT Minister, on an official visit today along with Shri T  Jayaprakash Reddy, Ex MLA, Sangareddy. The visit was a significant event, highlighting TiHAN’s cutting edge advancements in autonomous navigation technologies, particularly those designed to address the unique  challenges of Indian road conditions. 

Prof. Tarun Kanti Panda, Dean of International Relations of IIT Hyderabad welcomed the dignitaries to  TiHAN for the Suzuki Review Meeting.  

A key highlight of the event was the Minister’s participation in a review meeting of the ongoing  collaborative project between TiHAN-IITH and the Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC). This project aims  to develop advanced autonomous vehicle systems optimized for India’s complex and diverse road conditions.  The Minister was briefed on the project’s progress by Dr. P. Rajalakshmi, Professor, Department of Electrical  Engineering, Faculty in Department of Artificial Intelligence, and Project Director of TiHAN, which includes  the integration of advanced sensing technologies, real-time data acquisition, and AI-driven decision-making  systems designed to enhance road safety and efficiency. 

Shri. Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Hon'ble Minister in his address, praised the collaborative efforts between  TiHAN and SMC, stating that, the partnership is a prime example of how academia and industry can come  together to solve real-world challenges. The work being done here at TiHAN, in collaboration with SMC, is  not only advancing autonomous navigation technology but also ensuring that these innovations are tailored to  meet the unique needs of Indian roads. This is crucial for the future of transportation in our country. 

He underscored the importance of reversing the brain drain and fostering the growth of Indian technocrats and  said “We are making every effort to reverse the brain drain by creating world-class research and development  opportunities right here in India. Initiatives like TiHAN, in collaboration with industry leaders such as Maruti  Suzuki, are central to this mission. By promoting innovation and providing a platform for our technocrats to  excel, we are ensuring that the best minds contribute to the growth and transformation of our nation,” 

The IT Minister emphasized equipping 65 ITIs with modern technologies and also proposed to onboard the  Director of IITH to Skilled University, Telangana Government’s Initiative. 

Prof. B. S. Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad, highlighted the institute’s ongoing efforts to advance skilling  and education and said “At IIT Hyderabad, we are not just pushing the boundaries of research but are also committed to preparing the next generation of skilled professionals. Our AI UG programs are designed to  equip students and professionals with the necessary expertise to excel in this rapidly evolving field, we  introduced the MTech program in Smart Mobility, designed to meet the increasing demand for expertise in  intelligent transportation systems. Our MTech in Smart Mobility bridges the gap between academic research  and industry requirements, ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared to lead in the future of mobility,” 

Prof. P Rajalakshmi presented the latest developments and research achievements of the hub. The  presentation showcased TiHAN's breakthroughs in autonomous vehicle technology, including the integration  of sophisticated sensing systems, VSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), AI-driven  decision-making algorithms, real-time obstacle detection, and optimal path planning tailored to Indian roads.  She also emphasized ongoing research in intelligent transportation systems that promise to enhance road safety  and efficiency across the country.  

The review meeting also saw the active participation of Mr. Kurachi Nobunari, Vice president of Suzuki  Motor Corporation. Impressed by the progress and potential of the TiHAN-SMC project, he expressed strong  interest in pursuing future collaborations with TiHAN appreciating the work being done at TiHAN which  aligns perfectly with their vision for the future of smart mobility. the Vice President remarked that “we are  keen to explore further opportunities to work together on projects that push the boundaries of innovation in  autonomous systems” 

Reflecting on Suzuki’s pioneering role in the Indian automotive industry, Mr. Piyush Agarwal, Senior  Division Manager of Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) said that “we are proud to continue this legacy  by working towards making revolutionary autonomous technologies accessible to all. The Vice President also  emphasized Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to democratizing technology and advancing autonomous navigation  systems with a vision to make autonomous driving a reality for all, ensuring that every road in India is safer  and smarter”. He was also joined by Mr. Kentaro Yano, Senior Division Manager, and Mr. Avnish Gossain,  Department Manager of MSIL. 

The Meeting concluded with a Q&A where the IT Minister engaged with researchers associated with  TiHAN. Discussions centered on future collaborations, policy frameworks, and the role of government support  in fostering innovation, commercialization, and education in autonomous technologies followed by vote of  thanks from Mrs. Lopa Mishra Jana, Hub Executive Officer of TiHAN. 

At the end of the session, the IT Minister was given a comprehensive tour of TiHAN’s world-class facilities,  including the first-of-its-kind autonomous vehicle testbed for Aerial and Terrestrial vehicles. The Minister  experienced live demonstrations of advanced driverless autonomous campus shuttle vehicle systems, with a  focus on their adaptability and performance in complex Indian traffic environments. 

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NMICPS), has sanctioned the prestigious Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) in the  technology vertical of Autonomous Navigation and Data Acquisition Systems (UAVs, ROVs, etc.).  Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation (TiHAN) at IITH is a multi-departmental initiative,  including researchers from Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Mechanical and  Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Design, Entrepreneurship at IITH with collaboration  and support from reputed institutions and industry. A first-of-its-kind integrated testbed on Autonomous  Navigations (Aerial/Terrestrial) on the IITH campus was set up, which has state-of-the-art facilities such as  Proving Grounds, Test tracks, Mechanical integration facilities like Hangers, Ground signalized Intersections, Environment Emulators like Rainfall and Fog Simulators, V2X Communications,  Drone Runways & Landing area, eVTOL Propulsion Lab, Control Test centre. TiHAN-IITH is envisaged as  the destination for collaborative research for next-generation mobility solutions between academia, industry,  and R&D Labs, both national and international.