Inside Vehant’s 4D Radar Tech and the Future of Smart Traffic Solution

Transforming Traffic Management

You have introduced a 4D radar-based traffic violation detection system. Can you explain how this technology works and how it differs from traditional traffic monitoring systems?

Our HD 4D Imaging Radar employs a sophisticated traffic violation detection system that analyzes vehicles' speed, distance, and trajectory in real-time. This system utilizes advanced sensor technology to simultaneously measure various parameters, including velocity, range, angular position, radial velocity, and the silhouettes of multiple fixed and moving objects.

One of the standout features of this 4D radar system is its robustness against environmental variables. It maintains operational integrity in adverse weather conditions—such as rain, fog, and dust—and functions effectively in complete darkness, thus eliminating the need for supplemental lighting or frequent maintenance.

The radar operates in the 76-77 GHz frequency band, specifically engineered for traffic management applications, allowing it to accurately detect vehicle speeds of up to 320 km/h. This high-definition radar system provides comprehensive monitoring capabilities for both stationary and dynamic targets, facilitating enhanced situational awareness and more precise violation detection compared to traditional traffic monitoring systems.

Can you elaborate on the specific frequency and wavelength of the radar waves used in your 4D system? How does it differentiate between vehicles, pedestrians, and other objects in the environment?

The 4D imaging radar operates at a frequency of 76-77 GHz, which is optimal for applications like traffic management and vehicle detection due to its high resolution and ability to penetrate various environmental conditions. At this frequency, the wavelength of the radar waves is approximately 3.94 millimeters. This short wavelength allows for finer spatial resolution, enabling the system to detect and differentiate between closely spaced objects.

The radar employs advanced signal processing techniques to distinguish between vehicles, pedestrians, and other objects within its detection range. It analyzes various characteristics, including the time delay of returned signals (which provides information on distance), the Doppler shift (which indicates speed), and the shape or silhouette of the objects based on the reflected radar waves.

By using a combination of these metrics, the system can accurately classify objects based on their movement patterns, size, and speed, effectively distinguishing between different types of entities in the environment.

This capability to differentiate is further enhanced by the radar's ability to track multiple objects simultaneously, allowing for comprehensive monitoring of complex traffic scenarios, including interactions between vehicles and pedestrians.

What specific techniques or algorithms do you employ to ensure the accuracy of radar-based detection in challenging weather conditions like heavy rain, dense fog, and dust storms?

To ensure accurate radar-based detection in challenging weather conditions like heavy rain, dense fog, and dust storms, our 4D imaging radar employs advanced signal processing algorithms, including adaptive filtering and noise reduction, to enhance signal quality.

Doppler filtering distinguishes moving targets from static clutter. Adaptive thresholding dynamically adjusts detection criteria based on environmental conditions, and machine learning techniques continuously improve accuracy by learning from historical data. Additionally, the capability for multi-frequency operation enhances detection reliability, enabling robust performance even in adverse weather scenarios.

How does your traffic monitoring system integrate with existing physical security and surveillance infrastructure? Are there any specific protocols or standards used for data sharing and interoperability?

Our traffic monitoring system seamlessly integrates with existing physical security and surveillance infrastructure through a combination of standardized protocols and APIs designed for interoperability. We utilize protocols such as ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) for video and data sharing, which ensures compatibility with a wide range of security cameras and monitoring systems.

Data from our radar-based system can be aggregated and shared with central management systems using RESTful APIs. This facilitates real-time data exchange and enhances situational awareness across the security network.

Additionally, our system supports integration with various third-party software solutions, including traffic management platforms and incident response systems, ensuring that alerts, analytics, and data can be effectively shared and acted upon. 

You recently installed a smart traffic system on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway and integrated ANPR software for the Delhi Police. What kind of impact have these projects had on traffic management and law enforcement?

The smart traffic enforcement system installed on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway has significantly enhanced the detection of traffic violations, allowing for real-time monitoring and swift enforcement actions against offenders, thereby improving compliance and road safety.

In a separate initiative, the integration of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) software for the Delhi Police focuses on identifying blacklisted vehicles and those associated with criminal activities, enabling faster responses to potential threats. Together, these projects strengthen traffic management and law enforcement capabilities in their respective areas, contributing to a safer transportation environment.

You have been involved in 60-70 smart city projects, including major ones like Agra Smart City and Surat Smart City. How do your solutions contribute to the larger goal of creating smart and safer cities in India?

Our support extends to 60-70 smart city initiatives and facilities, including Hyderabad, Bareilly, Lucknow, Agra,  Surat Smart City, and many more, easing the dream of making India's urban environments safer and smarter.

In Agra, we modernized the Integrated Traffic Management (ITMS) system and implemented a traffic enforcement scheme under the ITMS for the respective cities, with over 200 cameras issuing eChallans for violations such as jumping a red light, riding without a helmet, men sitting on motorcycles without helmets, overspeeding, U-turning, and driving in the opposite direction. 

Similarly, in Surat, the intelligent solutions we provided improved traffic patterns and reduced traffic problems by utilizing analysis and control techniques, as well as boosting the safety and efficiency of the transportation system.

These tactics not only allow for more effective enforcement, but they also serve to increase road users' discipline levels. Sustainability principles and community involvement through intuitive systems available through mobile and web-based applications assist urban planners in making wise decisions, resulting in cities that are integrated and working towards the interests of the people within the cities.

Your goal is to promote the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. How does the in-house design and development of your products reflect this mission? And how has your research team at Vehant Research Laboratory played a role?

Vehant Technologies is dedicated to Atmanirbhar Bharat and is Made in India. This vision is visible in the design and development of the products, where we give preference to innovation made in India. We also ensure that products are designed, developed, or built in India by our R&D team. These systems are designed as per Indian traffic patterns & scenarios.

This strategy decreases dependence on international technologies as well as builds local know-how and skills that help the country’s self-sufficiency.

The Vehant Research Laboratory has been contributing a lot towards this effort as well and continues to push new ideas. Our R&D team creates practical solutions based on artificial intelligence that consider the characteristics of Indian cities, so it is possible to produce efficient and effective products that are capable of being made in India and assist the country in its endeavor for technological independence and development.

With projections showing revenue growth from ₹165 crore in FY23-24 to ₹250 crore in FY25, what factors are driving this growth, and what new technologies or innovations are you planning to introduce to sustain it?

The anticipated revenue increase from ₹165 crore in FY23-24 to ₹250 crore in FY25 demonstrates a strategic business plan anchored on several driving factors. Firstly, there is a continual trend of recognizing the benefits of modern traffic management solutions in response to the growing need for safety and efficiency. These developments are supported by government measures that focus on infrastructure development and public safety enhancement. 

Additionally, recent positive outcomes gained with our latest technology, such as smart traffic management systems, VIDES, and AI video analytics, are essential. Because of these developments, police traffic control has become easier and more effective, making our technologies even more appealing to cities and law enforcement.

Vehant Technologies offers a wide range of solutions, from traffic video analytics to incident detection systems. Which of these solutions do you see as most crucial for the future of traffic management, and why?

We offer several solutions, but we believe traffic video analytics and incident detection systems are particularly crucial for the future of traffic management. Traffic video analytics enable real-time monitoring and analysis of traffic patterns, allowing for proactive decision-making and optimization of traffic flow. This data-driven approach helps reduce congestion, provides event-based intelligence, and improves overall road safety.

Incident detection systems are equally important, as they provide immediate alerts for accidents or unusual behavior on the road. By quickly identifying incidents, these systems facilitate faster responses from emergency services and law enforcement, minimizing disruption and enhancing safety for all road users. Together, these technologies not only improve operational efficiency but also contribute to smarter, more resilient urban infrastructure, making them essential for the evolving landscape of traffic management.

What are the major challenges you face in implementing advanced traffic enforcement solutions in India, and how do you overcome them?

Implementing advanced traffic enforcement solutions in India faces challenges such as infrastructure limitations, data privacy concerns, resistance to change, integration with existing systems, and resource constraints.

We address these by collaborating with local authorities to upgrade infrastructure, ensuring compliance with data governance protocols, conducting training and awareness campaigns to foster acceptance, utilizing open standards for seamless integration, and providing scalable solutions that fit various budgets. By proactively tackling these issues, we aim to enhance the effectiveness and adoption of our technologies across the country.

Looking ahead, what is the future vision for Vehant Technologies in terms of innovation, market expansion, and contributing to the smart city ecosystem?

We take pride in its role in the development of innovative technical traffic control and monitoring tools through research and development. Future advancements in AI, machine learning, and multi-sensor data integration ensure that solutions like ITMS, VIDES, TARS, VMS, FRS, video summarization, and others continue to be relevant even as new trends emerge.

Currently, we want to combine real-time data processing with predictive analytics, remotely associated event detection, and rapid management to improve decision-making, ease traffic flow, and secure data and privacy. With increasing pressure on cities across the country, our system is adaptive and scalable, and it will provide solutions to these problems, resulting in smarter, safer, and more connected cities.