How Tata Motors is Using AI and IoT to Prevent Accidents in EVs

India's electric vehicle (EV) market is at a turning point, with electric cars projected to make up 17-18% of total passenger vehicle sales by 2025. Electric two-wheelers are leading the shift, expected to capture 50-60% market share, particularly in urban and last-mile connectivity segments. States like Delhi and Kerala are at the forefront of this transition, with EV penetration rates of 11.5% and 11.1% in FY24.

As India moves towards a more sustainable future, road safety must evolve alongside vehicle electrification. Tata Passenger Electric Mobility is integrating AI, IoT, and data analytics into its EVs to make them safer and more intelligent.

From predictive analytics that anticipate accidents to AI-driven driver assistance and real-time emergency response, Tata is addressing one of India’s most pressing concerns: making roads safer while accelerating EV adoption.

Anand Kulkarni, Chief Products Officer, Head of HV Programs and Customer Service at Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, shares insights on how the company is leveraging cutting-edge technology to transform EV safety and enhance the driving experience.

How is Tata Passenger Electric Mobility leveraging data analytics and IoT to improve road safety? Can you provide examples of predictive analytics models used to anticipate and prevent accidents?

At Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, we integrate advanced technologies into our EVs to make them smarter, safer, and more intuitive. Our Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) leverage IoT-enabled sensors and machine learning models to offer features such as forward collision alerts, autonomous emergency braking, and lane departure warnings. These systems continuously monitor vehicle surroundings and assist drivers in avoiding potential accidents.

One of our key innovations is the iRA.ev connected car application, which enhances real-time assistance and remote diagnostics across all Tata EVs. This application provides geofencing alerts and live vehicle tracking, allowing drivers to monitor their vehicles remotely while ensuring safety through boundary-based notifications.

Additionally, with telematics data from over 1.7 lakh Tata EVs on Indian roads, we can predict maintenance needs and offer actionable insights to improve driving behavior, ultimately reducing the likelihood of on-road incidents.

These advancements align with our CESS (Connected, Electric, Shared, and Safe) mobility vision, where safety remains a key pillar. By combining IoT and predictive analytics, we are not only making EVs safer but also enhancing overall driving confidence, fostering customer trust, and accelerating the transition to connected, sustainable mobility.

How are AI and machine learning being used to enhance driver-assistance systems? Could you share insights into how these technologies improve vehicle response times or identify hazardous situations?

We are leveraging AI and ML to enhance our ADAS suite, making driving safer and more intuitive. These technologies enable our vehicles to analyze real-time data from sensors and cameras, allowing for intelligent decision-making in dynamic driving conditions.

Our suite of Level 2 ADAS features functions such as Adaptive Cruise Control, which uses radar sensors to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles by adjusting speed automatically, Lane Keep Assist, which analyzes lane markings to keep the vehicle centered, preventing unintended departures.

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) uses AI to detect potential collisions using radar and camera inputs, applying brakes automatically to prevent or mitigate accidents, and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) further enhances safety by alerting drivers to unseen vehicles in adjacent lanes.

Given the sensitive nature of data collected by smart vehicles, how does Tata ensure compliance with data protection regulations while prioritizing road safety innovations?

We prioritize both data protection and road safety innovations by adhering to stringent data protection regulations and continuously investing in advanced safety technologies. We ensure compliance with data protection laws, such as India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), and international standards like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Our comprehensive privacy program includes robust encryption, continuous monitoring, and regular security audits to safeguard personal data. We prioritize safety of our customers by balancing data protection with cutting-edge safety features, providing a secure and reliable driving experience.

How does your technology facilitate emergency response in case of accidents? Are there any AI-driven mechanisms for real-time alerting and coordination with emergency services?

We have integrated E-Call (Emergency Call) and B-Call (Breakdown Call) systems into our EVs to enable swift emergency responses.

E-Call: In the event of a severe collision, this system automatically notifies emergency services, transmitting vital information like:

• • Vehicle location
  • Impact severity
  • Passenger condition (via sensor-based monitoring)
    This ensures that emergency responders reach the accident site faster, potentially saving lives.

B-Call: Designed for vehicle breakdowns, this system connects occupants directly to our roadside assistance team, providing real-time diagnostics and location sharing for faster support.

These AI-powered emergency response mechanisms significantly improve accident management and passenger safety.

How do you balance user-friendly design with minimizing driver distraction, especially for in-car safety alerts and notifications?

Our design philosophy ensures that safety alerts enhance driving awareness without causing distractions. We achieve this through:

• Intuitive layouts: Essential controls (e.g., climate control, navigation) are placed for easy reach to minimize unnecessary movement.
• Clear and concise alerts: Safety warnings are visually distinct and minimalistic, reducing cognitive load.
• Voice commands: Drivers can use voice-assisted controls for navigation, calls, and climate settings, minimizing manual interactions.
• Adaptive interfaces: The system adjusts notifications based on driving conditions, ensuring only critical alerts appear in high-speed or congested situations.

By integrating ergonomic design and AI-powered interface adjustments, we create a safer, distraction-free driving environment.

What future technologies do you see revolutionizing road safety in India, and how is Tata Motors preparing to integrate them?

We envision a future shaped by sustainable, connected, and intelligent mobility solutions. We are leveraging our core strengths in engineering and combining them with innovative technologies and a human-centric design philosophy.

This approach is enabling us to transform our entire product portfolio, value chain, and operations to align with evolving safety standards and customer expectations.

We are continue to work towards creating experiences tailored to our customers' aspirations and lifestyles. A significant focus of our efforts is on developing world-class, new-age powertrains that deliver superior performance, are noiseless, and emit zero emissions. This commitment underscores our vision of setting new benchmarks in the automotive industry while prioritizing road safety and environmental responsibility.