Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are one of the modern-day technologies designed to enhance vehicle safety by automating certain manual driving tasks. Today, almost every vehicle in India features ADAS as a primary safety and convenience feature but is it really worth it? Especially in a nation where people are prone to drive not by the traffic rules but according to their mood. Today we’ll discuss why ADAS has been unsuccessful in India and the reasons behind its failure.
Common Problems with ADAS on Indian Roads
Despite ADAS’s success in developed nations in the West, It has faced multiple challenges in India. The components of ADAS like Lane Departure Warning(LDW), Blind Spot Detection(BSD), and Adaptive Cruise Control(ACC), etc are designed with sensors, cameras, and software to avoid collision and accidents. However, these features of ADAS work in a systematic order, which means lanes and traffic should be functional and follow the systematic order on roads, unlike in India where lane dividers are mere sketches.
This unfunctional flow of traffic and non-systemized lanes causes problems in the implementation of ADAS, resulting in spontaneous brakes on a running highway, or a sudden stop if another vehicle tries to overtake your car by passing through your lane.
Another major challenge that ADAS faces in India is bikes and rickshaws on roads. ADAS is misinterpreted by the unpredictable movements of bikes and rickshaws, making it difficult for ADAS to manipulate the size and visibility of these vehicles. It is primarily designed for more structured traffic environments like the West for a linear traffic flow.
Other reasons for ADAS failure in India are the free movement of stray animals on roads and pedestrians weaving through traffic. Sometimes, ADAS is not able to detect a small or fast-moving animal on roads, the same goes for humans(toddlers) which is a major challenge for using ADAS in India. Most Indian cars with level 2 ADAS are unable to detect such circumstances.
Is it Worth it to Opt for a Car with ADAS in India?
Today, almost every car comes with ADAS technology, and opting for it is not a negative call, it is just the functionality of traffic and crowds in India that makes ADAS futile in a lot of situations. Despite its failure and problems in India, ADAS can be helpful too in some situations. Lane Departure Warning(LDW) is one of the functional features of ADAS on Indian roads that helps you to stay in your lane to avoid drifts and collisions. Overall it is not a wrong call to opt for an ADAS car in India however it has been just challenging for ADAS to cope with the traffic conditions of India.
