The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) has launched India’s first fully autonomous, AI-powered electric bus service on its campus — a significant step forward in the country's smart mobility sector. Developed by the institute’s Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation (TiHAN), the buses are now operating daily without human drivers.

Two versions of the driverless vehicle — a six-seater and a fourteen-seater — are currently in service, and have already transported over 10,000 passengers. According to TiHAN, passenger satisfaction has been encouraging, with around 90% positive feedback received.

These aren’t experimental prototypes — the buses are equipped with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, and a suite of AI-based sensors that allow them to detect obstacles, adjust speeds, and maintain safe distances from other vehicles or pedestrians.

The project has achieved Technology Readiness Level 9, meaning the system has been successfully tested and deployed in real-world conditions — not just lab environments.

According to the institute:

“This is both a transportation solution and a demonstration of India's capability in developing real-world autonomous systems.”

TiHAN has also established the country’s first autonomous navigation testbed, which mimics Indian traffic and road conditions. This facility supports startups, automotive companies, and government agencies in testing and validating self-driving technologies before public deployment.

With this milestone, IIT-H is showcasing how India can lead in AI-based smart mobility and set benchmarks for future urban transportation systems.