The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) has launched fully electric, AI-powered driverless buses for daily operations on its campus, marking India’s first deployment of autonomous buses. Developed by IIT-H’s Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation (TiHAN), these buses run without human drivers, offering six- and fourteen-seater variants.
Having completed over 10,000 rides with a 90% positive feedback rate, the buses employ advanced sensors, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Adaptive Cruise Control to navigate safely. The project is part of a broader plan to develop autonomous mobility solutions tailored to Indian traffic, with future ambitions for deployment at airports, industrial sites, and potentially public roads pending regulatory approval.
Smart Mobility Breakthrough at IIT Hyderabad
The driverless buses represent a significant technological achievement, developed entirely by TiHAN at IIT Hyderabad. Equipped with LiDAR, GPS, and an array of sensors, the AI system has been trained on extensive real-world data collected during an 8,000 km “Safari” across 35 Indian cities-from Hyderabad to Jammu and back-capturing diverse traffic and weather conditions.
This rigorous training enables the buses to handle the complexities of Indian roadways even within a private, controlled environment like IIT’s campus. The buses have achieved Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL-9), confirming their proven performance under real conditions.
According to Professor P. Rajalakshmi, head of the TiHAN initiative, this is India’s first autonomous navigation testbed designed to replicate local driving scenarios, serving as a vital resource for industry and government stakeholders.
Building India’s Autonomous Mobility Ecosystem
Beyond vehicle deployment, TiHAN is focused on nurturing an ecosystem for autonomous mobility in India. The testbed facility allows companies, researchers, and regulatory bodies to test and validate self-driving technologies in controlled environments, accelerating innovation while ensuring safety.
TiHAN also runs intensive training programs in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to build India’s talent pool capable of designing and maintaining such advanced systems. The project has attracted interest from the Telangana government and other institutions eager to explore the expansion of autonomous shuttles to airports, industrial zones, and large campuses.
While operations currently remain within IIT Hyderabad’s campus, ongoing dialogues aim to secure regulatory approvals for public road deployment, signaling the early stages of India’s autonomous public transport future.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
IIT Hyderabad’s pioneering driverless bus project is a testament to India’s growing technological self-reliance and commitment to sustainable innovation. By tailoring autonomous mobility solutions to India’s unique traffic environment, the initiative offers a blueprint for integrating cutting-edge technology with environmental responsibility.
At The Logical Indian, we believe such progress must be paired with transparent conversation around safety, ethical implications, and equitable access to ensure these advancements benefit all sections of society.
This technology holds the promise of transforming urban transit, but it also raises important questions about regulation, public acceptance, and social impacts.
