- Texas Instruments
- Consumer Electronics Show 2025
Enhancing In-Cabin Experience With Smarter Chips
- by Gaurav Nandi
- January 20, 2025
Texas Instruments unveiled four integrated automotive chips in a virtual event, designed to reimagine in-cabin experience for both drivers and passengers. The high-tech chips were also showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show 2025 held in Las Vegas. The line-up included the AWRL6844 millimetre-wave radar sensor with AI-enhanced safety features, the AM275x-Q1 MCUs and the AM62D-Q1- a family of MCUs featuring the powerful C7X DSP core for premium audio- and the innovative TAS6754-Q1 audio amplifier with proprietary 1L modulation technology.
Alluding to the matter, a company official said, “The new-age automotive chips centre around advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and infotainment and cluster. As consumers, we expect a lot from our vehicles and this innovation is driven by two key factors. First, new government regulations and car assessment programmes mandate improvements in passenger safety, requiring more accurate and robust in-cabin sensing systems to monitor a variety of situations. Second, there is a growing demand for premium audio experiences as in-car systems now often surpass home audio systems in quality, delivering unparalleled experiences across a wide range of vehicles.”
“Our silicon solutions are designed to empower designers to enhance the overall in-vehicle experience without compromise. To that end, we are excited to debut three new automotive products,” he added.
Radar sensor
The AWRL6844 is designed to help customers deliver a safe and feature-rich user experience. It aims to enhance the user experience visually and improve safety. The company highlighted that OEMS face challenges in meeting stringent requirements while minimising cost and design complexity. Moreover, requirements for transference detection would award points only for direct sensing systems capable of detecting the presence of a human inside a vehicle by tracking signs of life such as artery aspiration rates and movements. Future in-cabin sensing systems would need to accurately differentiate between children and adults to enhance user experience and safety.
The AWRL6844 is the industry’s first single-chip solution that supports these three key applications, which has been achieved through the integration of AI into the silicon, claimed the company.
The sensor integration was said to provide optimal spatial resolution, delivering dense point cloud data for applications in a cost-effective manner while leveraging edge AI processing. This high-resolution data feeds into AI-driven algorithms on a customisable, on-chip auto accelerator and DSP, enabling local data processing. This approach, allows automotive systems to achieve advanced sensing with a single chip solution, reducing system cost and complexity.
The AWRL6844 will help OEMs could deliver seamless detection, validation and classification, simplifying sensing topologies and modalities used today or in the future.
For instance, the system can detect localised occupants with up to 98 percent accuracy to minimise detection errors. This eliminates uncertainty related to seatbelt detection when a non-human object is on the seat. When the car is parked, the sensor uses neural networks to classify adults and children with high accuracy, trained to detect micro-movements and distinguish between them. The device also enhances detection in blind spots, preventing children from being left unattended in vehicles.
Audio processor
On the other hand, the AM275x-Q1 MCU and AM62D-Q1 processors enable leveraging advanced audio features that enhance in-cabin experience. Another company official noted, “Audio is increasingly used in cars to enhance safety with features like door chimes and seatbelt reminders as well as to improve passenger comfort across vehicle fleets. These features are no longer limited to luxury vehicles. Our solutions bring premium audio capabilities across the entire OEM vehicle line-up, leveraging a unified software investment.”
“At the core of this innovation our C7x DSP core. It supports a higher number of speakers and multiple audio zones, delivering high-quality sound throughout the vehicle. The C7x DSP achieves 4-8 times the processing performance of competing devices, enabling the management of multiple audio features within a single core, thus reducing the need for external components,” the official added.
The C7x DSP’s performance is made possible by its 256-bit vector architecture and single-cycle memory access, alongside pipeline optimisations that drive industry-leading audio benchmarks. Additionally, the integrated neural processing unit allows customers to develop and execute AI algorithms on the same platform. This high processing capability reduces component requirements for automotive audio systems while enabling advanced features like real-time tuning, spatial audio and latency-reduced ANC.
“This is especially critical for EVs, which often lack passive sound-dampening materials, relying instead on active solutions to maintain cabin quietness. TI’s solutions also support Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) for external pedestrian alerts, making them integral to modern EV designs,” added the official.
The AM275x-Q1 MCU is a DDR-less single-chip solution tailored for high-performance audio applications, supporting up to 32 channels. Its integrated 4.5 MB SRAM and up to 6 MB L3 memory eliminate the need for external memory, reducing system complexity. In contrast, the AM62D-Q1 processor is DDR-based and suited for applications requiring large memory sizes such as high-resolution playback or simultaneous AI and audio processing. With a high-speed DDR4 controller, it ensures real-time compute capabilities and smooth performance.
The company claimed that both chips will enable engineers to design premium audio systems with minimal investment in hardware and software.
The TAS6754-Q1 Class D amplifier’s modulation technology reduces the number of required inductors by half. This advancement enables more compact, lightweight and cost-efficient designs without compromising audio quality. Additionally, the amplifier incorporates real-time load diagnostics, streamlining design processes and enhancing efficiency to meet OEM demands effectively.
Commenting on the new products, Senior Vice President of TI’s Embedded Processing Amichai Ron said, “Today’s drivers expect any car – entry-level to luxury, combustion to electric – to have enhanced in-cabin experiences. TI continues to provide innovative technologies to enable the future of the automotive driving experience. Our edge AI-enabled radar sensors allow automakers to make vehicles safer and more responsive to the driver, while our audio systems-on-chip elevate the drive through more immersive audio. Together they create a whole new level of in-cabin experiences.”
The chips are available at the company’s website.
- Union Minister for Heavy Industries
- International Centre for Automotive Technology
- ICAT
- Automotive innovation
Union Minister Applauds ICAT's Advanced Testing and Research Facilities
- by MT Bureau
- January 21, 2025
Union Minister for Heavy Industries, HD Kumaraswamy, visited the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) in Manesar today. During his visit, the minister toured the state-of-the-art facility, which is a testament to India’s growing prowess in automotive innovation and safety standards.
The minister was given an in-depth overview of ICAT’s advanced laboratories, testing tracks and cutting-edge technologies including crash tests, acoustic rooms for reverberation studies and fuel flow testing mechanisms.
During his visit, he laid the foundation stone of Electrical and Electrical Lab and Centre of Excellence for Advanced Automotive IT Services (AAITS) in the presence ICAT Director Saurabh Dalela and other senior officials.
Speaking to the media after the visit, Kumaraswamy said, “It is my pleasure to be here on my first visit to ICAT, an institution that represents India's drive towards automotive excellence. ICAT’s state-of-the-art facilities, including its advanced laboratories and testing infrastructure, are a testament to India’s capabilities in automotive innovation.”
The minister highlighted the crucial role ICAT plays in ensuring road safety through rigorous testing procedures. “Witnessing these facilities and tests today has given me a profound perspective on the rigorous efforts undertaken here to ensure the safety of every individual who travels on our roads. It showcases the complexity and commitment behind each test,” he added.
Kumaraswamy commended the ICAT team for their invaluable contributions to the automotive sector, emphasizing their role in advancing sustainability, safety, and innovation. “ICAT is not just a testing and research facility; it embodies the shared vision of the ministry and the government to drive the future of mobility in India,” he said.
The minister also noted ICAT’s significant contributions to government initiatives such as the FAME scheme, PM eDrive, and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. He underlined the importance of ICAT’s involvement in promoting indigenous manufacturing and global competitiveness in the automotive sector.
“ICAT stands as a symbol of India’s automotive aspirations, contributing significantly to our transition to electric mobility and sustainable transportation. The Ministry of Heavy Industries remains committed to supporting ICAT in every possible way to ensure its continued growth and success,” Kumaraswamy assured.
The Indian automotive industry, which contributes over 7 percent to the nation’s GDP and employs millions, is expected to witness robust growth in the coming years. The minister emphasized that ICAT’s technical expertise, research and homologation services would play a pivotal role in ensuring that this growth is sustainable, safe, and competitive on a global scale.
Concluding his visit, Kumaraswamy reaffirmed the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ commitment to fostering innovation, creating policy frameworks, and building infrastructure to position India as a global leader in automotive technology.
“Together, we can make India a global leader in automotive technology and innovation, ensuring safer, better vehicles for Indian and global customers alike,” he said.
- TSF Group
- Brakes India
- Wheels India
- Turbo Energy
- Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025
TSF Group Showcases Mobility Innovations at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025
- by MT Bureau
- January 20, 2025
Brakes India,a TSF Group company, unveiled its comprehensive range of products for passenger vehicles (PVs), commercial vehicles (CVs), tractors and off-highway applications at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The company showcased its in-house designed and developed solutions, spanning conventional braking systems, air actuation systems, iron castings and an extensive aftermarket portfolio. These offerings cater to the evolving needs of both global and domestic markets.
“Our vision is global yet deeply rooted in India. We are expanding our international presence while steadfastly embracing the 'Make in India' initiative. Our roadmap is clear: to lead through innovation, expand our global reach, and drive the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Our core engineering team possesses the expertise and capability to continuously enhance our products, encompassing foundation brakes with calipers, drum brakes, air actuation system, and even the booster master. We aspire for all our products to achieve global benchmarks. We are proud to contribute to the growth of the Indian automotive industry while expanding our global presence." said Brakes India Managing Director Sriram Viji.
Commenting on the issue, President of Heavy Vehicles Business Unit at Brakes India D Sridharan said, “As a trusted partner in the commercial vehicle industry, Brakes India provides solutions for vehicles ranging from 2 tons to 60 tons. Our new air actuation range exemplifies the precision, quality, and reliability that define our brand. This expansion enables us to cater to a broader customer base while strengthening our market position. Beyond foundation brakes, we are thrilled to enter the air actuation segment for trailers, aligning with our strategic focus on the rapidly growing Indian trailer market, which is projected to expand at a robust CAGR of ~15%. In addition, we are advancing innovative technologies such as Electronic Controlled Retarders, e-Park systems for commercial vehicles, and Hydraulic Hill Start Assist to further enhance safety and efficiency.”
“At Bharat Mobility 2025, we embraced the 'Beyond Boundaries' theme with our cutting-edge Opposed Piston Caliper. Designed for unparalleled braking performance, this bespoke solution delivers superior straight-line braking for high-performance vehicles and track enthusiasts. As India emerges as a global hub for automotive engineering, we see immense growth potential in both ICE and EV markets. Leveraging our experience serving multinational clients, we are strategically positioned to expand our export footprint and solidify our market leadership,” said President of Light Vehicles Business Unit at Brakes India K Vasudevan.
As a trusted Tier-1 supplier to leading OEMs worldwide, Brakes India continues to uphold its reputation for delivering cutting-edge solutions, focusing on design, development, world-class quality, competitive costs, and exceptional customer service.
Wheels India Limited (WIL), another TSF Group company, introduced a range of wheels tailored for the commercial vehicle sector and a cast alloy wheel rim for passenger vehicles. The 17-inch cast alloy wheel, designed specifically for the ‘Mid-SUV’ segment, offers a variety of offset configurations. Highlighting WIL’s commitment to excellence, Managing Director Srivats Ram remarked, “Meeting customer expectations is our priority. These new products embody our commitment to delivering solutions that drive value and set industry standards.”
Turbo Energy, another TSF Group company, showcased its comprehensive range of turbocharger solutions at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. Engineered at its development centre in Chennai with support from BorgWarner Turbo Systems, Germany, Turbo Energy continues to pioneer advanced technologies to meet the demands of the mobility industry.
These collective efforts underline the TSF Group's enduring legacy in innovation, quality, and customer-centricity, ensuring their continued leadership across diverse automotive segments.“Our customer-centric approach helps us to understand customer needs and provide appropriate solutions. Currently, two-thirds of boosting solutions in the Indian market use our turbochargers. We have a strong product range of turbos for clean mobility, powertrains using CNG, LNG, flex fuel, and hydrogen, apart from other applications in gasoline, hybrid, and diesel. Furthermore, our state-of-the-art high-speed e-compressors are used in fuel cell electric vehicles. The company’s strong backward integration, aftermarket support, and technology know-how from BorgWarner Turbo Systems keeps us ahead of the competition to meet customer demands,” said Executive Vice Chairman at Turbo Energy Ananth Ramanujam.
- Turntide Technologies
- Electronics
- Advanced axial flux motors
- Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025
Turntide Technologies Launches Advanced Electric Mobility Solutions
- by MT Bureau
- January 20, 2025
Turntide Technologies unveiled its latest range of low and high-voltage power electronics and advanced axial flux motors to meet India’s rising demand for sustainable transportation at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The launch aligns with India’s commitment to green mobility and Turntide’s strategy to deliver cutting-edge solutions tailored to the local market.
The Gen 4 series of inverters offers a compact, scalable solution for low-voltage applications (48 V to 80 V), making them an ideal choice for two-wheeler and three-wheelers. Designed for high reliability and flexibility, these inverters enable seamless integration across multiple vehicle platforms, delivering efficiency and performance. For hybrid and electric vehicles, the Gen 5 series, operating at a nominal voltage of 350 VDC and providing up to 400 A peak current, combines robust performance with advanced flux vector motor control, ensuring optimal power delivery.
The newly introduced Gen 6 series of inverters with a voltage range from 48 V to 800 V stands out for its superior efficiency, reliability and adaptability to Indian road and environmental conditions. Engineered to deliver compact and powerful electrification solutions, the Gen 6 series integrates seamlessly with any existing motor or system. It features industry-leading power density, a streamlined design and easy implementation, making it a game-changer for OEM electrification systems. Enhanced software architecture and advanced power electronics ensure exceptional performance for both EV and hybrid applications.
Complementing these innovations, Turntide’s axial flux motors offer high torque density and compact design, significantly improving vehicle performance while reducing energy consumption and overall ownership costs. The motors’ compactness allows for seamless integration in applications with tight space constraints such as hybrid electric vehicles, where space must accommodate both electric and internal combustion engine components.
Engineered in the UK and optimised for local conditions, these motors empower OEMs to create efficient, high-performance hybrid and electric vehicles tailored to Indian consumers.
In alignment with the 'Make in India' initiative, Turntide is dedicated to establishing a strong local supply chain and collaborating with Indian manufacturers. Currently, its power electronics are being produced at Kaynes Technology in Mysuru. This partnership underscores Turntide’s commitment to fostering sustainable mobility and supporting India's growing electrification ecosystem.
“We are proud to be the first in the Indian market to introduce high-voltage-axial-flux-motors that will empower OEMs to rapidly innovate hybrid and electric vehicle offerings. Our USP is bringing clients to production faster with our own axial flux motors, power electronics, software and diagnostics suite,” said Pradumna Walimbe, Managing Director of APAC at Turntide Technologies.
He added, “India is a critical market for us, and our manufacturing collaboration with Kaynes Technology for local power electronics manufacturing reflects our commitment to sustainability and alignment with the ‘Make in India’ initiative. With the Indian electric mobility ecosystem at a pivotal stage, these products deliver unmatched efficiency and performance, empowering manufacturers to meet evolving consumer demands.”
- Varroc
- CarIQ Technologies
- Varroc Connect
- Connectivity Solutions
- Advanced mobility.
Varroc Unveils ‘Varroc Connect’ in Strategic Rebrand of CarIQ Technologies
- by MT Bureau
- January 20, 2025
Varroc announced a strategic rebranding of its subsidiary, CarIQ Technologies, which will now operate as Varroc Connect. This move underscores Varroc’s commitment to technological innovation, enhanced connectivity solutions and its vision for the future of advanced mobility.
The transition to Varroc Connect aligns CarIQ’s identity with Varroc’s trusted global legacy, reinforcing its focus on delivering safe, smart and sustainable mobility solutions. The rebranding represents a strategic evolution as Varroc Connect continues to lead India’s connected vehicle platform segment, leveraging Varroc’s extensive global expertise to drive next-generation connectivity solutions.
With an expanded portfolio of offerings, Varroc Connect addresses the dynamic requirements of the automotive, mobility and IoT sectors. Its end-to-end solutions combine real-time connectivity with data-driven insights, enabling smarter, safer and more efficient transportation systems. Key offerings include a robust cloud platform, mobile and web applications, advanced firmware and a diverse range of Made in India telematics devices.
Delivered through SaaS and subscription models, Varroc Connect empowers customers across automotive OEMs, insurance, transportation and public sector verticals, enabling faster time-to-market. This transformation underscores Varroc’s unwavering focus on innovation and its leadership in the rapidly evolving connectivity space.
Speaking at the conference, Varroc Connect Cheif Executive Officer Dixit Roy Mahidhara said, “CarIQ Technologies has always been a pioneer in delivering smart connectivity solutions. By rebranding it as Varroc Connect, we are strengthening its identity as a part of Varroc’s trusted legacy while reinforcing our commitment to innovation in advanced mobility and IOT solutions.”
Commenting on the rebranding, Varroc – Business I Chief Executive Officer Arjun Jain said, “I am excited to unveil Varroc Connect, a name that reflects our commitment to long-term investment in building connected vehicle solutions for our customers. Connected mobility is the future, and every vehicle now integrates connected technology.”
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