Chandigarh University Patent for Vehicle Security System
Chandigarh University researcher Prof. Ashish Sharma, a faculty member of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, was granted a design patent in 2026 by the Union Government's Patent Office for an innovative "Vehicle Security System" that he filed in 2019. The patented system integrates motion sensors to detect a person’s proximity, force sensors to sense forced entry, cameras that automatically capture photos and videos of the intruder, and a GPS tracker that continuously monitors the vehicle’s location. All captured data, together with an instant alert, are transmitted to the owner’s mobile phone, enabling rapid response and evidence sharing with authorities. The system can also store images and videos on cloud storage and may be powered by solar panels for uninterrupted operation. The camera can provide 360‑degree rotation, and optional beeper alerts can be triggered by certain sensors. The projected manufacturing cost ranges from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, with an additional Rs 5,000 required for more advanced features.
According to the "Crime in India 2024" report released by the National Crime Records Bureau, India experienced 2.33 lakh vehicle theft cases in 2024, including over 5,600 thefts from vehicles. More than 70% of stolen vehicles are never recovered, with overall recovery rates for stolen vehicles ranging between 25% and 30%; for two‑wheelers, the detection rate remains below 27%. A report by insurance firm Acko indicated that in Delhi‑NCR one vehicle was stolen every 14 minutes in 2023, highlighting the persistent nature of the problem.
Prof. Sharma has filed a total of 11 patents, of which two have been granted, including the current vehicle security system. Congratulating him, Deepinder Singh Sandhu, Senior Managing Director of Chandigarh University, noted that the university has filed more than 6,000 patents, with 5,800 published and 260 granted, making it the top single institution in India for patent filings. The university’s 44 faculty members are featured in the Stanford University–Elsevier list of the world’s top 2% scientists. Chandigarh University allocates Rs 15 crore annually for research‑intensive learning, operates 60 research centres and 30 industry‑sponsored advanced labs (including AI, Additive Manufacturing, Molecular Biology, Genetics, SEM, and XRD labs), and has established 32 Centres of Excellence in partnership with MNCs such as Microsoft, Cisco, Hyundai, Tech Mahindra, Capgemini, and IBM. It currently manages 56 government‑funded research projects and 12 international collaborations, and received Rs 90 crore from the Union Ministry of Science and Technology over the past five years. The university is NAAC A+ graded, QS World Ranked, and offers more than 109 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and other fields.