IIT-Madras, Daimler India partner to develop universal driver rating system for commercial vehicles

IIT-Madras and Daimler India Commercial Vehicles on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a first-of-its-kind universal driver rating system aimed at improving safety, professionalism, and operational efficiency in India’s commercial vehicle sector.

The initiative seeks to create digital public infrastructure that can be rolled out nationwide, providing standardised tools for driver assessment, certification, insurance evaluation, and background verification . The system comes in response to persistent challenges in the sector, including inconsistent driver testing, risky driving behaviours, lack of real-time monitoring, fragmented data for policymaking, insurance challenges, and operational inefficiencies.

Using a data-driven approach , the rating system will leverage smartphone inputs and vehicle sensors to monitor driving behaviour such as speed, braking, acceleration, lane discipline, and fatigue. This will generate quantitative driver scores , reward safe driving, and help correct risky practices, ultimately reducing accidents and improving road safety. Fleet operators will be able to track driver performance in real time , shippers can gain better delivery visibility , and driving institutes can use the system for certification and training , boosting driver employability.

IIT-Madras project coordinator Gitakrishnan Ramadurai said, “The system is designed to reward good driving practices and correct risky behaviour, which will save lives and reduce costs for all stakeholders.” Alexander Schoen, Chief Financial Officer of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, added, “This collaboration reflects our commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to enhance driver safety and professionalism across the transport ecosystem. A universal framework will contribute to safer roads and a more accountable mobility system in India.”

The project will also provide aggregated data to government agencies , enabling evidence-based policymaking to improve road safety outcomes and develop consistent regulatory standards across states. Key stakeholders in the initiative include commercial drivers, fleet operators, shippers, driving institutes, and regulatory bodies , with IIT-Madras leading the technological design and Daimler India facilitating real-world implementation, testing, and industry adoption.

The universal driver rating system is expected to address long-standing gaps in driver assessment, insurance risk evaluation, fleet management, and regulatory oversight , creating a safer and more professional commercial transport ecosystem across India.