NavIC: India’s Indigenous Navigation System Set to be Compulsory for Devices and Cars 2023

NavIC: India’s Indigenous Navigation System Set to be Compulsory for Devices and Cars 2023

NavIC, or Navigation with Indian Constellation, is an autonomous satellite navigation system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Developed as a part of India’s greater vision for self-reliance and technological innovation, NavIC is quickly emerging as a strong alternative to other globally recognized satellite navigation systems like GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo.

Recently, regulatory discussions have been hinting at the likelihood of making NavIC mandatory for all devices and cars in India.

According to Rajeev Chandrasekhar, minister of state for electronics and IT, the government intends to make NavIC-powered chips required in gadgets and automobiles in light of Apple’s inclusion of the domestic global positioning system (GPS) in certain of the new iPhone 15 models.

The minister stated that the usage of NavIC and other Indian-designed components might be compulsory with some sort of incentives added in for the same if the government examines smartphone production-linked incentive (PLI) programme 2.0. The government currently offers incentives to firms who employ any domestic components and use Indian-designed or -manufactured processors under the IT Hardware PLI.

Because a NavIC chip is readily available in the automobile industry, Chandrasekhar claimed there are good enough grounds to require that trackers in India use it.

This is the first time Apple has incorporated NavIC capability to any of its iPhone devices; Qualcomm created the chip. Numerous smartphone manufacturers, including Poco, Vivo, and Xiaomi, already provide NavIC compatibility for their models.

Chandrasekhar stated, “The idea today is increasing the capability we have in India and certainly start pushing the platforms to incorporate this,” adding that with NavIC, developers will have the option to select from a variety of GPS systems.

NavIC is designed to provide accurate position information to users in India and surrounding regions, extending up to 1500 km from India’s borders. Consisting of a constellation of eight satellites, it promises to deliver two-dimensional and three-dimensional positioning data along with speed and timing information.

One of the most compelling reasons to implement NavIC as a mandatory system for navigation is the issue of national security. Dependency on foreign satellite navigation systems could expose the country to vulnerabilities, especially in times of geopolitical tension.

Being self-reliant in navigation technology could save India a significant amount of foreign exchange and create a new wave of technology jobs within the country. Domestic industries could flourish, paving the way for greater economic independence.

A push for NavIC adoption would create a demand for innovation within the technology and automotive industries. This would foster a culture of research and development that could extend far beyond the realm of navigation systems.

Most existing devices and cars are already equipped with chips compatible with GPS or other global systems. Making NavIC mandatory would require a significant overhaul of existing hardware, which could be both time-consuming and costly.

Indian-manufactured cars and devices are often designed for an international market that uses other systems like GPS. Creating products with dual or multiple satellite navigation capabilities might increase the manufacturing cost.

Implementation would require extensive legislative work to mandate the use of NavIC and to phase out the use of other navigation systems gradually.

If NavIC is made mandatory, consumers could expect more accurate local navigation, but there could also be a temporary increase in costs as industries adapt to the new standard.

Manufacturers would need to rework their designs and collaborate closely with ISRO for technical know-how, thereby opening new avenues for public-private partnerships.

While the initial stages could involve significant investment, the long-term benefits for the Indian economy could be monumental, both in terms of job creation and technological innovation.

Making NavIC mandatory for all devices and cars would be a monumental task, fraught with challenges. However, the potential benefits in terms of national security, economic independence, and technological innovation are too significant to be ignored.

As regulatory discussions progress, stakeholders from various sectors should come together to find the most effective path for the widespread adoption of NavIC in India.