Impact of Widespread ADAS Adoption on the Automotive Industry

In a recent interaction with Asia Business Outlook, Sudeepth shared his views on the growing adoption of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in the Indian vehicle industry. He has 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, working in passive safety, active safety, vehicle dynamics, infotainment, and other areas. He is an engineer by education, and for the last two years, he has headed the ADAS segment for Continental India.

In your view, what factors drive the increasing adoption of ADAS in the automotive industry?

India’s road infrastructure has improved considerably over the last few years. We have seen extensive focus on this from the government in rolling out various safety regulations. It was in 2019 when the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) came into the scenario. There has also been a focus on the incorporation of airbags in vehicles. All the ideas are being implemented systematically because of the government's efforts to develop the road infrastructure across the country. Safety regulations are being thoughtfully implemented, and much importance is given to technologies like ADAS to ensure public safety.

How do cost and technological complexity affect the implementation of ADAS in lower-priced vehicles?

When it comes to a developing country like India, factors like low cost and high performance are what we need to focus on. There has been a continued focus on finding solutions that can address difficult road conditions across the country, especially the conditions of Indian highways. In addition, accurate solutions must be provided in a cost-effective manner in order to make them acceptable in the industry. Initiatives must be taken to manufacture these solutions locally using local engineering to create a production footprint that will address the specific needs arising in the market. Here, it is noteworthy that India has diverse industry challenges, with enormous traffic and different kinds of vehicles traveling in the same lanes. ADAS is one of the innovative technologies that have been implemented in this regard. Organizations are trying to develop premium ADAS solutions and provide them at lower costs to address ongoing challenges and achieve optimum vehicle performance.

How do ADAS systems integrate with other vehicle systems and external infrastructure, and what are the challenges in ensuring reliability and accuracy across different driving conditions?

Integrating ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) with a vehicle depends on the level of automation, ranging from L1 to L4. Radar or camera components can be integrated into the vehicle's electrical and electronic architecture for essential regulatory compliance and optimal performance. For higher levels, such as L2+ and beyond, it's necessary to determine if the system is part of the Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) architecture or if it functions as a subsystem interfacing with other systems like brakes, steering, and head units. The integration approach varies based on vehicle architecture and the desired automation level. Addressing different driving conditions presents challenges that require extensive data on various road scenarios. Algorithms must be trained to handle potholes, oncoming traffic, multiple vehicles, and occluded scenarios such as pedestrians crossing the road. This necessitates significant data mining and AI-trained algorithms that can continuously adapt to ensure these scenarios are managed effectively, particularly for specific road conditions in India.

How do regulatory requirements impact the deployment and adoption of ADAS in mass market vehicles, and what measures are being taken to ensure ADAS systems' cybersecurity and data privacy?

Regarding regulations, safety has become a significant focus in India. Efforts are underway to enhance road infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to elevate safety standards. Since 2019, systems like ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and airbags have been introduced. Looking ahead, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems are set to be implemented by 2027, and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems are planned for 2028. These advancements are driving the development of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). ESC, in particular, is crucial for ADAS performance and is scheduled for introduction in 2027. These regulatory measures are essential for addressing ADAS and safety concerns.

Regarding cybersecurity and data privacy, vehicles are increasingly connected to the cloud and infrastructure systems. This connectivity necessitates a heightened focus on cybersecurity to ensure the safety and security of vehicle systems. Various measures are being introduced to safeguard these systems and protect against potential threats.

What impact do you think the widespread adoption of ADAS will have on the automotive industry in the next five to 10 years?

Currently, the industry focuses on the widespread adoption of ADAS in countries like India and other growing economies, particularly at the L2 level, with additional features like automated parking systems. In more mature economies, we are looking at L4 trucking, where dedicated L4 autonomy is being implemented for specific lanes in the US. This is driven by a need for more drivers and government initiatives to establish dedicated lanes. This progression moves from basic L2 features to full vehicle autonomy. At Continental, we are working on both volume and mature market scenarios. Specifically for L4 trucking, we have partnered with Aurora to introduce this system starting in 2028.