IIT Madras, Daimler India to develop ‘Driver Rating System’ for truck drivers

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has partnered with Daimler India to develop the “Driver Rating System” , a first-of-its-kind technology for commercial driving. The system will work as an essential system for commercial driving, insurance, and background checks.

The objective of the collaboration between the engineering institute and Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) is to develop a technology stack to build a digital public infrastructure for its nationwide rollout.

Explaining the need for a driving rating system and its other features, Gitakrishnan Ramadurai, project coordinator, IIT Madras, said: “Trucks and truck drivers are the backbone of our country. This project provides them an aadhaar for their good work. The driver rating system rewards good driving and helps correct risky driving thereby saving lives, money and time for all stakeholders.”

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IIT Madras's road safety technology

The driver rating system will use date-driven approaches that will use smartphone-based inputs and sensor data to effectively address the challenges faced by truck drivers, as per the official statement.

The system will also enable safer and more responsible driving by incentivising drivers, while allowing fleet operators and concessionaries to monitor driver performance, track fleets in real time, and improve safety and compliance, the statement reads.

“It will support shippers through on-time delivery visibility, help driving institutes certify drivers and improve employability, and provide governments with data for evidence-based policymaking. All of this will ultimately contribute to improved road safety and societal outcomes,” it added.

Alexander Schoen, chief financial officer, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said, “At DICV, road safety and responsible mobility are central to how we approach sustainability. This collaboration with IIT Madras reflects our commitment to using technology and data-driven innovation to create meaningful, scalable solutions that improve driver safety, professionalism, and well-being across the commercial transport ecosystem. By contributing to the development of a universal driver rating framework, we aim to support safer roads, stronger livelihoods, and a more accountable mobility system for India.”