Meet Colonel Kuldeep Yadav: The Man Behind Indian Army's AI-Powered Accident Prevention System
In a landmark stride toward technological self-reliance, the Indian Army has been granted a patent for an AI-powered accident prevention system designed to combat road accidents caused by driver fatigue. Developed within the Army’s in-house Research and Development (R&D) division, the innovation reflects the organisation’s growing focus on leveraging artificial intelligence for safety and operational efficiency.
An Innovation to Save Lives
The system, credited to Colonel Kuldeep Yadav, uses AI to detect drowsiness-induced lapses in driver attentiveness and promptly issues real-time alerts. By proactively preventing accidents, particularly in scenarios where drivers risk falling asleep at the wheel, the device has the potential to save countless lives on Indian roads.
According to the patent certificate, the application was filed on February 2, 2021, and officially granted in 2025. The patent remains valid for 20 years. Its effectiveness was validated through rigorous testing on buses operated by the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State Transport Corporations, and further trials proved its suitability for trucks – a sector plagued by fatigue-related accidents.
In 2021 alone, India lost over 1.54 lakh lives in road accidents, with more than half of truck-related incidents attributed to drivers dozing off while driving. Officials believe this AI-driven solution could be a turning point in enhancing road safety not just within the armed forces but across civilian transport networks.
Inspiration from the Frontlines
Colonel Yadav’s idea emerged during his leadership of a military unit in Manipur, where mountainous terrain and challenging conditions heightened the risk of fatigue-induced mishaps. Recognising the urgent need for a solution, he conceptualised and engineered the device, combining operational insights with technological innovation.
Strengthening Atmanirbhar Bharat
This achievement comes on the heels of other significant patents secured by the Indian Army in recent years. In November 2022, the force was granted exclusive Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for a novel camouflage pattern uniform design. More recently, the Army also obtained a patent for an “Automatic Target Classifying System based on Artificial Intelligence,” another innovation led by Colonel Yadav.
That system autonomously identifies and classifies radar-detected targets without human intervention, dramatically improving operational efficiency and reducing response times in combat scenarios. Army officials hailed these achievements as a reflection of the service’s dedication to #Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence technology.
“This achievement reflects our commitment to fostering innovation, strengthening technological self-reliance, and promoting Atmanirbharta in the defence sector,” the Army stated.
Looking Ahead
As India continues to invest in indigenous R&D, the Army’s success in securing patents highlights its role not only as a defender of the nation but also as a pioneer of cutting-edge technology. With AI becoming a critical force multiplier in both civilian and military domains, the newly patented Accident Prevention System is expected to make a lasting impact in saving lives and reinforcing India’s march toward technological independence.
