EXCLUSIVE!
The Indian government may consider de-licensing the frequency spectrums necessary for radar-based automotive technologies. At the recently held Bloomberg TV-Autocar India Awards 2015, Eberhard Kern, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, spoke with Nitin Gadkari, the Union Government Minister of Transport, regarding de-licensing the spectrum commonly used by automotive short range radar systems (SSRS) in high-tech cars. SSRS are used for a host of advanced driver assists and help improve road safety.
“I will take up this issue personally, especially if it enhances road safety,” said Gadkari during their interaction. The minister’s positive reaction is likely to result in swift action resulting in manufacturers bringing cars with advanced driver assists and maybe even self-driving cars, sooner; potentially reducing the chaotic traffic conditions prevalent in India.
Most automotive Short Range Radars (SRR) use frequency spectrums ranging from 24-26.65GHz and 76-81GHz to interact with their surroundings. In India, the spectrums of 24, 76 and 79GHz are reserved and regulated by the Department of Telecommunications, which restricts manufacturers from equipping their cars with these technologies. Continued..
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
