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IIT Madras has entered into a landmark partnership with Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, to develop a first-of-its-kind Universal Driver Rating System, aimed at transforming road safety and accountability across India’s commercial transport ecosystem.

This collaborative initiative aims to establish a robust and data-driven framework, that assesses commercial driver performance, safety and well-being, while also laying the groundwork for a digital public infrastructure, to facilitate the nationwide rollout. Leveraging smartphone-based inputs and sensor data, the system will incentivise safe driving, reward professionalism, help identify and correct risky behaviour.

Designed to be a critical tool for commercial driving certification, insurance and background verification, the rating system will empower fleet operators with real-time performance insights, support training institutes in certifying drivers, assist shippers with delivery visibility and provide governments with reliable data for evidence-based policymaking.

By bridging cutting-edge research and industry expertise, this IIT Madras–Daimler partnership underscores the power of academia–industry collaboration in delivering scalable, impactful solutions. At its core, the initiative recognises commercial drivers as the backbone of the nation —working towards safer roads, stronger livelihoods, a more accountable and responsible mobility ecosystem for India.