The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has officially begun work on Bharat NCAP 2.0, the next phase of India’s automotive safety assessment program. This update will introduce testing protocols for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), reflecting the growing adoption of these technologies in mainstream vehicles.
Adapting ADAS for Indian Road Conditions: A Key Challenge
At the ADAS Show in Bengaluru, Ujjwala Karle, Deputy Director and Head of ARAI’s Technology Group, confirmed the ongoing development. “We are actively working on the next version of Bharat NCAP. The challenge lies in adapting ADAS for Indian driving conditions, ensuring these systems are effective rather than just being present as features that drivers disable when needed,” she stated.
ADAS includes functions like lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, with most vehicles in India currently offering Level 2 autonomy. However, refining these features to suit India’s diverse road conditions, traffic patterns, and driver behavior is a critical aspect of Bharat NCAP 2.0’s development.
ADAS Becoming More Accessible in India
Automakers like Hyundai, Kia, MG, Tata Motors, Honda, and Mahindra are at the forefront of bringing ADAS-equipped vehicles to the Indian market at more affordable price points. With Bharat NCAP 2.0 set to standardize testing for these features, their real-world effectiveness and safety benefits will be better evaluated.
A Quick Recap of Bharat NCAP
Launched in April 2023, Bharat NCAP follows Global NCAP standards, assessing passenger vehicle safety through rigorous crash tests. This initiative not only enhances consumer awareness but also improves the export potential of Indian-made vehicles. So far, models like the Skoda Kushaq, Mahindra XUV700, Hyundai Tucson, and Citroën Basalt have been evaluated.
With Bharat NCAP 2.0 in development, India is taking a significant step towards enhanced road safety, ensuring that ADAS features are not just available but genuinely effective in real-world driving conditions.
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