70% of Indian drivers trust ADAS for safety, but adoption hits a wall
Around 70 per cent of Indian car owners and prospective buyers reported improved safety with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), while 65 per cent cited enhanced driving convenience, yet a deepening crisis of trust — not a lack of awareness — is the primary barrier preventing mass adoption, according to a new report by CMR (CyberMedia Research). The findings, based on a survey of over 1,000 respondents across major metros, were released on 13 May 2025.
Key Findings: Awareness Is High, Trust Is Not
The survey found awareness of ADAS features stands at a robust 80 per cent, with purchase intent at 75 per cent. However, only 15 per cent of respondents were willing to pay a premium for these features. Nearly 48 per cent admitted they lacked a clear understanding of how ADAS actually functions, directly undermining purchase confidence.
Critically, nearly 70 per cent of consumers said current ADAS systems do not perform reliably in Indian driving conditions — a finding that encapsulates the core challenge facing automakers and technology providers in the country.
Why Indian Roads Are a Unique Problem
India's driving environment — characterised by unstructured traffic, poor road markings, and highly unpredictable conditions — is proving to be a stress test that many current ADAS implementations are reportedly failing. CMR Analyst Sourabh Pandey of the Industry Consulting Group (ICG) noted that the gap between recognition and trust is the industry's most pressing challenge.
