Car-to-car interaction: NIT Rourkela develops AI model to curb road accidents, secures patent

Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have secured a patent for an artificial intelligence (AI) model designed to enhance communication between vehicles, paving the way for safer and smarter road systems.

The patent, titled ‘Adaptive Contention Window Optimisation in VANETs using Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning for Enhanced Performance Model’, was filed by Dr. Arun Kumar, Assistant Professor; Prof. Bibhudatta Sahoo, Professor; and Dr. Lopamudra Hota, Research Graduate, all from the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at NIT Rourkela.

Their research focuses on improving Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs), a system that allows vehicles in close proximity to communicate directly with each other. This technology can play a critical role in scenarios such as cars alerting nearby vehicles about sudden braking, road obstacles, or traffic conditions. However, when too many vehicles transmit messages at the same time, the network often suffers congestion, causing delays or message loss.

The NIT Rourkela team has proposed a solution using multi-agent deep reinforcement learning. In simple terms, the AI model enables vehicles to adaptively adjust the timing of their messages based on surrounding traffic, ensuring that urgent alerts are prioritized and delivered reliably.

Explaining the significance of the innovation, Dr. Arun Kumar said, "In 2023, India reported around 480,000 road accidents and 172,000 deaths, many of which could have been prevented using modern technologies. Our work is a step towards building safer roads and smarter cities. We envision a near future where autonomous vehicles become a reality in India, and this patent is a small step in that direction, driving the spirit of Innovate in India and Make in India."

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The applications of VANETs extend far beyond accident prevention. Potential use cases include electronic brake lights, vehicle platooning, real-time traffic updates, faster emergency alerts, electronic toll collection, on-the-road digital payments, and integration into smart city infrastructure.

Prof. Bibhudatta Sahoo highlighted the broader impact and said, “The patent represents a practical step towards preparing India’s road system for vehicle-to-vehicle communication. By addressing potential congestion in VANETs and providing a model for adaptive, coordinated communication, our findings lay the groundwork for safer and more efficient traffic management. We invite researchers across institutions to collaborate with our lab at NIT Rourkela to advance the future of autonomous mobility."

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With this development, NIT Rourkela has taken a significant stride toward strengthening India’s position in intelligent transportation systems, autonomous vehicles, and smart city innovations.