The Indian government announced the cancellation of licensing requirements for the use of frequency bands allocated to automobile radars and intelligent communication systems between vehicles and infrastructure, allowing automakers to adopt these technologies without the need to obtain separate approvals from the competent authorities.
The step includes allowing the use of radars operating within the 77 to 81 GHz range, in addition to communication systems within the 5.9 GHz range, which are technologies used in advanced driver assistance and self-driving systems.
Through this decision, New Delhi seeks to harmonize its standards with those in force in the United States and the European Union, allowing car companies to use ready-made global equipment instead of developing special versions for the Indian market, which would reduce costs and accelerate the spread of modern technologies.
Global companies such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, along with Indian companies such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, are expected to benefit from the decision by expanding the introduction of advanced safety systems in the local market.
These technologies provide features such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and warning of vehicles in blind spots, as well as intelligent communication systems that alert the driver to unseen dangers, such as an accident behind a curve or an approaching ambulance.
The decision comes at a time when India recorded more than 177,000 deaths resulting from traffic accidents during the year 2024, according to government data, which reflects the scale of the challenge that the authorities face to improve traffic safety levels in the third largest car market in the world.
