India clears path for self-driving and vehicle safety technology

India has removed licensing requirements for radio spectrum used by automotive radar and connected-car communication systems, a move that could accelerate the adoption of advanced safety features and future self-driving technologies.

1. Radar-based safety systems exempted from spectrum licensing
2. Vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology also covered
3. Could help bring advanced safety features to more vehicles

According to a Reuters report, the government has exempted automotive radar systems operating in the 77GHz-81GHz frequency band from licensing requirements. A separate notification also removes licensing requirements for systems operating in the 5.9GHz band, which enables communication between vehicles and roadside infrastructure.

The move aligns India with regulations followed in the United States and Europe, allowing automakers and suppliers to deploy globally developed hardware without requiring market-specific versions, lowering costs and speeding adoption.

What does it mean?

Radar sensors form the basis of several advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. They are also a key building block for future self-driving technologies.

The exemption covering the 5.9GHz band will support vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, which allow vehicles to communicate with other vehicles and roadside infrastructure. These systems can warn drivers about hazards beyond their line of sight, such as a vehicle braking around a blind corner or an approaching emergency vehicle.

Luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, which already offer radar-based driver assistance technologies overseas, could deploy the same systems more easily in India. Domestic manufacturers including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra could also benefit as ADAS features become more widespread.

Suppliers such as Bosch, Continental and Qualcomm are also expected to benefit from the change.

Focus on road safety

India recorded more than 177,000 road deaths in nearly half a million accidents in 2024, according to government data cited by Reuters. The government hopes wider adoption of technologies such as ADAS and V2X can help improve road safety, particularly in situations where conventional sensors or driver visibility may be limited.

The latest notifications do not mandate the use of these technologies, but they remove a regulatory hurdle that could make them easier and more cost-effective to introduce in future vehicles.