The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has entered a strategic partnership with IIT Hyderabad’s Technology Innovation Hub for Autonomous Navigation (TiHAN) to accelerate India’s shift toward smarter, safer, and technology-driven mobility. The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focuses on integrating advanced autonomous navigation systems into public transport—especially last-mile connectivity solutions in major metros and rapidly growing Tier II and Tier III cities.
The collaboration aims to transform urban transit by combining DMRC’s transit expertise with TiHAN’s cutting-edge research in autonomous navigation, robotics, drones, and data acquisition systems.
Key Takeaways: DMRC–TiHAN Autonomous Navigation Collaboration
- DMRC and TiHAN sign MoU to jointly develop autonomous mobility solutions for urban transport and last-mile connectivity across India.
- TiHAN brings expertise in autonomous navigation, data acquisition, robotics, UAVs, and drones, enabling platforms to operate and collect data without human intervention.
- The collaboration supports emerging Tier II & III cities, where modern transit solutions are needed to strengthen public transport infrastructure.
- MoU signed by Shobhan Chaudhuri (DMRC) and Dr. Santosh Reddy (TiHAN) in the presence of senior officials including DMRC’s MD Dr. Vikas Kumar and IIT Hyderabad representatives.
- The initiative aligns with DST’s National Mission on Cyber-Physical Systems, under which TiHAN was established as a specialised autonomous technologies hub.
- Driverless ground vehicles, robots, drones, and intelligent mobility devices will be part of the innovation and testing ecosystem under this partnership.
DMRC and TiHAN’s Vision for Future-Ready Urban Mobility
The collaboration between DMRC and TiHAN marks a crucial step forward in building sustainable, intelligent transport systems for India’s expanding urban landscape. With increasing congestion, pollution, and rising travel demand, the need for efficient and future-proof mobility solutions has never been greater. Through this MoU, both organisations plan to test, develop, and deploy autonomous navigation platforms specifically designed to enhance commuter journeys from metro stations to their final destinations.
Officials from DMRC emphasized that autonomous navigation represents a safe, smart, next-generation mobility option, capable of significantly improving the urban transit experience. By integrating such solutions with metro networks, the project aims to simplify connectivity gaps and ensure smoother, more reliable access to metro stations—especially in dense metropolitan regions.
Strengthening Last-Mile Connectivity in Emerging Cities
While metros like Delhi already rely heavily on public transport, Tier II and Tier III cities are in a crucial stage of building and upgrading their transit infrastructure. The MoU positions autonomous navigation as a powerful tool to support smaller cities where last-mile mobility remains one of the biggest challenges.
DMRC officials noted that the partnership will allow both institutions to explore scalable autonomous solutions that can cater to diverse urban environments. The goal is to design systems that not only improve operational efficiency but also enhance commuter comfort, reduce travel time, and offer a reliable alternative to traditional last-mile transport modes.
TiHAN’s Expertise: Powering the Next Wave of Autonomous Platforms
TiHAN, established under the Department of Science & Technology’s National Mission on Cyber-Physical Systems, is one of India’s premier hubs dedicated to autonomous technologies. Equipped with advanced research facilities, simulation infrastructure, and testbeds, TiHAN focuses on developing:
- Autonomous Navigation Systems
- Advanced Data Acquisition Systems
- Driverless Ground Vehicles
- Robotics
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
- Drones and Multi-Platform Autonomous Systems
These platforms are capable of navigating complex environments and collecting real-time data without human intervention—key capabilities that can significantly benefit public transit planning and operations.
Under the MoU, TiHAN will leverage its existing research to create innovative autonomous mobility devices, intelligent shuttles, and robotic systems that integrate seamlessly with urban transport.
Signing Ceremony Marks a Milestone in India’s Mobility Innovation
The agreement was formalised through a signing ceremony attended by senior representatives from both institutions.
The MoU was signed by:
- Shobhan Chaudhuri, Advisor (R&D), DMRC
- Dr. Santosh Reddy, Hub Executive Officer, TiHAN – IIT Hyderabad
The event was attended by:
- Dr. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, DMRC
- Manuj Singhal, Director (Infrastructure), DMRC
- Prof. Malla Reddy, Dean (Innovation), IIT Hyderabad
- Prof. P. Rajalakshmi, IIT Hyderabad
- Other senior DMRC directors and IIT Hyderabad officials
Their presence highlighted the importance placed on this collaboration as a national-level initiative capable of reshaping India’s urban mobility frameworks.
A Major Leap Toward Autonomous Public Transport
Through this partnership, DMRC and TiHAN aim to explore new technological pathways such as:
- Autonomous shuttle services connecting metro stations with residential and commercial areas
- Intelligent robotic mobility devices for controlled transit zones
- Driverless drones for data collection and monitoring in transit corridors
- Integrated navigation systems that support real-time decision-making
By adopting these solutions, DMRC seeks to open opportunities for improved route planning, streamlined operations, and more efficient resource utilisation.
Setting the Foundation for India’s Intelligent Transit Future
The collaboration arrives at a time when Indian cities are witnessing rapid population growth, expanding infrastructure, and evolving mobility demands. As public transport networks continue to grow, pairing metro systems with autonomous last-mile solutions could significantly reduce dependency on private vehicles and improve accessibility across city landscapes.
This partnership positions India to join global leaders exploring autonomous transport within urban mobility ecosystems. As DMRC continues to innovate and expand, blending autonomous systems with established metro operations could set a benchmark for other metros across the country.
Towards a Smart Urban Transit Ecosystem
The DMRC–TiHAN collaboration promises to reshape how commuters experience travel in major metros and developing cities. By leveraging autonomous navigation technologies, the partnership aims to deliver a safer, more efficient, and future-ready mobility system that meets India’s growing transportation needs.
With combined expertise, real-world testing capabilities, and a shared vision for smart transit, this initiative has the potential to push India closer to a fully integrated, technology-driven urban mobility network—one where last-mile connectivity becomes seamless, sustainable, and truly commuter-friendly.
FAQs on DMRC–TiHAN Autonomous Navigation Partnership
1. What is the purpose of the DMRC–TiHAN MoU?
The MoU aims to develop autonomous navigation solutions to improve last-mile connectivity and enhance smart, safe mobility in metros and Tier II–III cities.
2. What technologies will TiHAN provide under this collaboration?
TiHAN will contribute autonomous navigation and data acquisition systems for ground vehicles, robots, UAVs, drones, and other platforms operating without human intervention.
3. How will this partnership benefit metro commuters?
The collaboration will support driverless, technology-driven last-mile mobility solutions, improving accessibility, reducing travel time, and making urban transit more efficient.
4. Who signed the DMRC–TiHAN MoU?
The MoU was signed by Shobhan Chaudhuri from DMRC and Dr. Santosh Reddy from TiHAN, in the presence of senior DMRC and IIT Hyderabad officials.
5. Why are Tier II and Tier III cities important in this project?
These cities lack advanced public transport systems, and autonomous mobility solutions can significantly strengthen last-mile connectivity and future-proof their transit networks.
