Driverless Car Technology Showcased in Bengaluru: Collaboration Between Wipro, IISc and RV College Creates Buzz

Sri Satyatmatheertha Swamiji of the Uttaradi Matha experienced a brief journey in the experimental autonomous vehicle.

Bengaluru:

A viral video featuring a driverless car navigating through a Bengaluru college campus has captured widespread attention on social media platforms, generating significant interest about the vehicle and its developers.

The footage displays a spiritual leader sitting peacefully inside the vehicle alongside several companions as it moves without human operation. Reports confirm the individual is Sri Satyatmatheertha Swamiji from the Uttaradi Matha, who visited RV College of Engineering and participated in a demonstration ride of the prototype autonomous vehicle within campus grounds.

According to informed sources, the initiative remains in development stages, with an official launch anticipated in upcoming months. Comprehensive mapping and analysis of Indian roadway conditions are currently underway to ensure reliable and secure functioning of the autonomous vehicle once fully operational.

The project represents a collaborative effort between Wipro, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and RV College of Engineering, operating under the WIRIN (Wipro-IISc Research and Innovation Network) program.

WIRIN serves as a collaborative platform dedicated to advancing cutting-edge technologies through research, innovation, and design with practical real-world applications.

The partnership between Wipro and IISc was established through a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at fostering joint research in artificial intelligence, robotics, and human-machine interaction, with RV College providing engineering expertise for autonomous vehicle development.

Additional focus areas within this collaboration include: Autonomous Systems - imaging, image processing, and computer vision; Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning - including deep learning algorithms; Data Science and Cybersecurity; Smart Materials and Emerging Technologies; and Disruptive Design and Manufacturing.

Autonomous concept vehicles are currently under development across numerous countries.

Within India, IIT Hyderabad is similarly advancing autonomous navigation technology, having produced vehicles designed primarily for off-road applications in agricultural or mining operations.

These prototype vehicles currently transport individuals within the institute's campus environment.

In the United States, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has committed to launching autonomous ride-hailing services in California and Texas during this calendar year. The company has already secured initial regulatory approvals from California authorities.