Hyderabad: 26th August 2024: 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 the 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.
