Autonomous vehicles are no longer confined to science fiction. They are being tested, refined, and, in some regions, integrated into daily life. Yet, their success hinges on one critical factor - testing. In a country like India, with unpredictable traffic patterns, dense roadways, and unique driving behaviors, robust validation becomes both a necessity and a challenge.
In the latest episode of the Analytics Insight podcast, host Priya Dialani speaks to Shitendra Bhattacharya, Country Head and Director, India, Emerson Test & Measurement Business Group, on how innovation is reshaping the testing ecosystem for AVs and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Mr. Bhattacharya explained Emerson’s legacy as a 135-year-old global automation leader, highlighting its acquisition of NI in October 2023.
This move created the Test and Measurement Business Group, focused on software-connected automated systems.
“At Emerson, the commitment is to continuous innovation and solving the toughest global engineering challenges,” he noted, emphasizing the company’s role in helping industries from automotive to aerospace accelerate innovation.
India’s roads present complexities few countries can match - mixed users like bicycles and rickshaws, stray animals, missing lane markers, and sudden environmental changes. Traditional validation methods cannot capture such variability.
Mr. Bhattacharya stressed that if ADAS features work in India, they can work anywhere. With technologies like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance, India is poised for gradual adoption, supported by government-led safety standards.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are central to Emerson’s testing strategies. Instead of merely collecting vast amounts of road data, AI enables pattern recognition, anomaly detection, and automated decision-making.
“AI streamlines workflows but keeps humans in the loop,” Mr. Bhattacharya explained. Engineers remain the ultimate decision-makers, with AI serving as a powerful enabler rather than a replacement.
Strategic partnerships are accelerating progress. Emerson collaborates with Tata Elxsi and Tata Technologies to create advanced testing environments, achieving dramatic reductions in EV test rig development time and scaling infotainment validation.
Such ecosystems, combining startups, OEMs, and research institutions, position India as a global testing hub.
Mr. Bhattacharya envisions India evolving into a global testbed for next-generation mobility. By combining cutting-edge validation systems, AI-driven insights, and collaborative ecosystems, the nation can leapfrog traditional stages of automotive development.
His vision underscores India’s potential to influence the global autonomous vehicle revolution while addressing its own mobility challenges.