ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS

Why in the news?

As per various reports there has been a surge in demand of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) from India and India is becoming a growing market for the same.

What is ADAS?

• ADAS are a set of electronic systems which are integrated into vehicles to enhance driver safety, improve vehicle performance, and provide convenience.
• This is made possible with use of sensors, cameras, radar, and other advanced technologies to monitor the vehicle's surroundings and detect potential hazards.
• There are different levels of ADAS in the market as per the customers’ demand.

Types of ADAS

There are two types of ADAS:

• Active ADAS: These systems actively intervene and assist in critical driving situations and can even perform automatic corrective actions
  • E.g. collision avoidance systems, lane keep assist systems, and automatic   emergency braking. 
• Passive ADAS: These systems are mainly limited to provide information and alerts to the driver without directly intervening in the driving process.
  • E.g. blind spot monitoring systems, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition.

Benefits of ADAS

• Improve Overall Road Safety: ADAS can reduce the number of fatalities by providing assistance in emergency braking, and avoiding collisions in events of fog etc.
• Improved Traffic Management: It can optimise traffic flow, minimise congestion, and enhance the overall efficiency of road networks.
• Increased Comfort and Convenience: Features such as adaptive cruise control and automated parking can make drivers less stressful.
• Environmental Impact: ADAS can help in reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions through optimization in driving patterns.

Reasons behind increasing demand of ADAS in India

• Progressive democratisation of autonomous driving tools with car manufacturers offering advanced driver assistance systems in their mid-segment range.
• Increasing demand for safer vehicles among Indian consumers as people are increasingly becoming safety-conscious and are willing to stretch their budget to buy safer cars. 
• Government’s push for increased road safety through Education, Engineering (both of roads and vehicles), Enforcement and Emergency Care
• Availability of more affordable ADAS technology with time.

Challenges in adoption of ADAS

• Non-Standardised Road Infrastructure India's diverse road conditions, from good highways to poorly constructed rural roads, pose challenges due to inconsistent road markings.
  • Indian roads have a mix of pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized vehicles making ADAS systems adaptation more complex.
• Affordability issues: ADAS is prevalent in premium and luxury cars due to its high cost. Making these features affordable for the majority of Indian consumers remains a challenge.
• Connectivity and Data: ADAS systems require real-time data updates and reliable connectivity, which might be an issue in remote or poorly networked areas of India.
• Cyber Threats It includes flaws in hardware and software which may lead to attempt of hacking, malware, and unauthorized system access.
  • These attacks may deceive or undermine the functionality of systems and pose risks to passengers and drivers’ safety.
• Error and Malfunctions may be caused due to hardware or software faults, sensor failures, calibration mistakes, or improper data processing or outside influences like bad weather. 
  • These flaws could result in the ADAS system making poor decisions or failing to recognize dangers, which could cause accidents
• Human Factors may present obstacles for the safe and efficient use of the system, including attention, overreliance, complacency, and incorrect interpretation of ADAS.
  • Too heavy reliance on ADAS may lead to complacency or distraction and raise the possibility of accidents.
• Supply Chain Security Issues related to non-proper safeguarding of the components and processes may create vulnerabilities and threaten the system's operation and safety.
• Consumer Trust is essential for successful adoption of the technology. If consumers believe them to be risky, they might be reluctant to trust them.

Steps to be taken

• Government Regulations , focussed at establishing clear regulations and standards for ADAS implementation, incentivizing manufacturers to produce vehicles with ADAS features, and providing financial support.
• Building of Consumer Trust by persistent investment in research and development and open and consistent communication from manufacturers and authorities about the technology’s potential and constraints.
• Defence against ADAS attacks are essential to ensure the safety and security of the people inside the vehicle
  • Software updates and patches, secure coding techniques, encryption of critical data, and network segmentation are a few defence mechanisms.
• Driver Behavior: The success of ADAS systems depends on responsible driving behavior, which may require significant efforts in driver education and awareness campaigns.