Anuj Kapuria, the protagonist of ADAS solutions for road safety, serves as the Founder & CEO of Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz Ltd. (THRSL) and holds the position of Chairman in the National Robotics Task Force, a collaborative initiative between CII and DPIIT. Additionally, he is a member of the CII National Startup Council. Anuj has actively contributed to the Artificial Intelligence task force of the Government of India and participated in the ‘Champions of Change’ initiative led by Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
An alumnus of Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, P.A., Anuj holds a Master’s Degree in Robotics. Prior to this, he completed his Bachelor’s in Robotics and Automated Manufacture Engineering from the School of Engineering, University of Sussex. Anuj has also served as an Adjunct Fellow at CMU, where he engaged in diverse projects encompassing Computer Vision, 3D Object Recognition, Autonomous Vehicles, Terrain Mapping, and Face Recognition.
His professional journey includes involvement in numerous projects for the U.S. Defense, NASA, and the DARPA Grand Challenge. In an exclusive interview with The Interview World, Anuj emphasizes the pivotal role that the adoption of advanced technology can play in enhancing road safety, ultimately reducing the incidence of road accidents and casualties.
Q: What kind of technology are you building to reduce road accidents?
A: Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz Ltd stands at the forefront of innovation as an Intelligent Enterprise specializing in AI and Robotics. Our cutting-edge solutions encompass transformative AI, computer vision-enabled robotics, and autonomous mobility, catering to diverse industry verticals. Redefining on-road logistics, we introduce vision-based Autonomous and Driver Assist Solutions (ADAS) that elevate safety, visibility, efficiency, and productivity. By mitigating inefficiencies in supply chain and fleet operations, our ADAS offers a crucial split-second advantage, enhancing driver response time and averting potential accidents.
Our vision-based driver-assistive systems for trucks and buses actively contribute to road safety, preventing accidents and fostering safe driving behaviour. This initiative holds the promise of significantly improving safety on Indian roads, benefiting not only drivers but also vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and two-wheelers.
Q: Could you provide a deeper insight into the ADAS solutions?
A: Our Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) leverage Edge AI-based camera systems, providing real-time detection of potential hazards. This technology not only issues in-vehicle alerts and coaching promptly but also cultivates safe driving habits, significantly reducing the likelihood of accidents. Moreover, our ADAS solutions bolster adherence to regulations, aiding fleet owners and managers in meeting customer expectations for timely deliveries.
In addition to offering proactive alerts, our ADAS solution accurately logs hours of service, coupled with robust driver authentication. This AI-driven solution surpasses its U.S. counterpart, the Electronic Logging Device, in terms of reliability and functionality. Implementation of hours of service policies becomes a tangible reality with this advanced solution.
Q: How grim are road scenarios in India?
A: India holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest global count of road fatalities, recording one fatality every four minutes, as reported by the World Bank. A study conducted by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways reveals that over 70% of these casualties occur within the economically active age group of 18-45 years. Alarmingly, a significant portion of crash victims hails from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and they are predominantly individuals in their prime working years. The impact of these tragic incidents extends beyond the individual, profoundly affecting entire families and dependents.
Q: What’s the current situation in India for monitoring fleets?
A: Currently, a majority of transportation fleets lack proper monitoring devices. At best, some fleets utilize telematics devices capable of recording only basic vehicle parameters and locations, lacking the ability to capture driving hours and behaviour. The absence of comprehensive driving data increases the risk of accidents, impacting vehicle downtime. Furthermore, without monitoring driver behaviour, fleet owners/managers have minimal control over turnaround time compliance, relying heavily on the driver’s discretion. Consequently, the fleet operator misses the opportunity to identify the root causes of driver behaviour and improve overall fleet operations. As end customers increasingly demand greater visibility and stricter delivery timelines, fleet owners/managers face challenges in pinpointing effective strategies to meet these customer demands.
Autonomous and Driver Assist Solutions (ADAS)