Q: What is your contribution to testing new energy vehicles – Battery Electric Vehicles and Hybrids? Please elaborate on the testing equipment you have for these vehicles?

Arora: As a B2B startup that enables its customers to maximize the capacity of the battery pack, and improve battery life and safety, we run elaborate tests on Battery Management Systems on all of our BMS designs. These BMSes have been deployed by ION’s customers on a fleet of batteries that go inside two / three-wheelers, passenger and commercial vehicles, and industrial electric vehicles.  Our cloud analytics platform, Edison, helps our customers visualize the data coming out of these tests and generate insights. In a bid to counter the challenge of costly industrial equipment, we have developed battery emulators, end of line testing equipment and HIL (Hardware-in-the-loop) setup, in house at about a minimal 10 percent cost of the commercial market rate. We have also built a gaming engine based simulation engine called the ‘Ghost Rider’ that runs simultaneously with our battery models. The simulation helps us integrate our BMS algorithms to vehicles models and monitor the performance of those models in life like situations.

Q: Can you tell us briefly about your overall portfolio of BMS testing equipment and a bit about your company?

Arora: Quality Assurance (QA) and Testing are the most important phases in the life cycle of BMS since the success of this phase dictates the level of safety and the management of the battery’s life. As a startup, we have adopted a lean and creative approach with our testing methodologies. We have a number of indigenously developed tools and software for testing of our batteries. Once the hardware design of the BMS is finalized, the prototypes are validated for their basic functionalities. The prototypes are further optimized based on the functionality and additional features that develop the hardware. When all the modifications are completed, the BMS is validated for its functionalities at different environmental conditions. Based on the data collected in the previous step an ‘operating range’ is defined.

Similar to the hardware, the software is also tested on the prototype BMS hardware. Based on the outcomes and new requirements, the iterations are made to tailor the firmware for its optimum performance and management of battery life and safety. Once the desired results are obtained, the firmware is finalized and deployed in the BMS. The prototype is then sent to external independent laboratories for EMI / EMC tests, basis whose clearance, the hardware and the firmware are again validated, and the design is finalized. In the manufacturing stage, ION Energy conducts as Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) testing is more reliable than manual visual inspection. In the final stage of the manufacturing process, the Design for Manufacturing (DFM) files are used for the component assembly process. Testing is necessary to avoid any incorrect component placement issues. Testing during this stage is typically more intensive than during the fabrication phase.

End-of-Line Testing measures and checks the functionality of ION’s battery management systems. The key factors taken into consideration at ION are high test quantity, test completion and low system with upgrade costs. At ION, we have built an automated testing platform called the ION Testmaster, built specifically for performing automated Functional Circuit Test (FCT) on ION’s BMSes. In the latest update, the ION Testmaster is interfaced with Edison Analytics for accurate and real-time inventory management using the MNP/serial number of the DUT, in this case, the BMS.

Q: A lot of players claim that they build technologies to enhance the life and performance of lithium-ion batteries. What is the USP of ION Energy?

Arora: It's worth noting that oftentimes when organizations emphasize on enhancing the life and performance of a battery, reliability takes a backseat. In a market like India that is still in a nascent stage, ION Energy is one of the very few players that offers reliable and tested solutions, making it our USP. ION Energy is an advanced battery management and intelligence platform that was born out of the desire to tackle the threat of climate degradation by enabling a much more environment-friendly mobility solution. Founded in 2016, ION’s mission is to accelerate Earth's transition to an all-electric planet. We are doing this with a focus on building technology that improves the life and performance of lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

ION’s full-stack solution blends advanced electronics and machine learning with deep domain expertise in energy storage. ION’s disruptive battery intelligence platform - Edison Analytics leverages battery data, software analytics, and ML to significantly improve battery performance and extend battery life by up to 40 percent. Battery Makers & OEMs around the world use ION’s platform to optimize their battery management systems (BMS) and build world-class batteries. ION Energy is leaps ahead when it comes to leveraging data. In a bid to enhance life and performance, ION Energy has a fully integrated stack with Battery Design Engineers, BMS Design Engineers and Software Engineers learning from insights captured by our cloud platform - Edison.

Q: In Evs the packaging is key and anything lighter is the most sought after by the OEMs. What are the contributions from your end on these expectations?

Arora: The battery usually comprises 25-30 percent of the weight of electric vehicles. There is always a tradeoff between the weight and size of the battery, vis-a-vis the range it offers. A bigger battery offers a higher range, but it also adds to the weight of the vehicle - reducing its energy efficiency. It is crucial to achieve the right balance in this trade off - and that needs a deep knowledge and understanding of the application, usage and the environment of the battery packs. At ION Energy, we have tools that can help OEMs find the right size for its battery packs.

Q: How do you see the increasing electronics and vehicles becoming more connected in EV space too? What sort of solutions do you give? Please elaborate.

Arora: The global automobile industry is on the brink of a major transformation. The Global Connected Car Market size is projected to reach USD 212.7 billion by 2027, from an estimated value of USD 42.6 billion in 2019, at a CAGR of 22.3 percent - as predicted by Markets and Markets. Technology is driving this shift, shaped by demographic, regulatory, and environmental pressures. Other factors include - consumer tech companies entering the automotive world, as software and other technologies, are taking a pivotal position in the future of automobiles. These businesses want to focus on design, ease of use, better service and extended battery life to bring new kinds of innovation to the field

Shared Asset Utilization requires companies to leverage advanced IoT, Battery Management & Driver Profiling to improve asset sweating, protect the lifetime of the asset, and ensure financial viability. This will have powerful effects beyond the auto industry. Insurers, for example, will have new ways to monitor driver behavior, reward good drivers, and distribute costs to bad ones. Companies can better connect idle cars with customers that need them. Continuously improving UX is becoming a norm, not only in mobile phones but also EVs. OTA updates that extend range, improve charging time and boost speed are a reality today. Companies with the technical capability to package world-class technology, UX and affordable pricing will win in the future of mobility. The growing battery swapping ecosystem for two / three-wheelers in Asia is one of the best examples of the shift in the transport sector brought about by EVs and connected electronics. It gives end-users the option to lease batteries and pay per km, instead of paying all the battery costs upfront. This is only possible because of connectivity between the batteries, the vehicles, the users and the swapping station.

Shared utilisation of batteries is possible only because of integrated battery management and telematics functions. It is important to track the location, usage and the state of the battery - all at the same time - to be able to charge users accordingly. ION has a lot of experience in building integrated Battery Management and Telematics Units for batteries and swapping stations. Our BMSes have GPS sensors and LTE modems integrated with battery management functions. We are able to send real time data to our cloud that enables monitoring and optimization of asset utilization.

Our BMSes - FS-CT, FS-LT, and FS-XT - are equipped with on-board memory storage to log every data point of the battery pack collected by the BMS, up to 20 years of historical battery data. Normally this would lead to an enormous amount of data, but we've developed compression algorithms tailored for battery data acquisition. The BMS records all physical parameters, events, errors relating to the performance of the battery pack. Our cloud-connected battery intelligence platform, Edison Analytics, allows engineers to access this data and gain insights into the life and performance of the battery. (MT)

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced that 100 members of its workforce will travel to Japan to participate in the Global Skill-Up Training (GST) program at Toyota Motor Corporation.

The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s Skill India Mission and the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP), a framework between the Governments of India and Japan for skill development and talent exchange.

The Global Skill-Up Training program in Japan is an 11-month program, combining classroom sessions with on-the-job training. It focuses on Toyota’s core principles, while also preparing trainees with Japanese language, culture and civic responsibility to prepare for global integration.

The automaker, an NSDC-approved Sending Organisation, has facilitated the overseas training of over 1,000 youth to countries including Japan, Jordan, Qatar and Slovakia.

G Shankara, Executive Vice-President, Finance and Administration, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We at Toyota Kirloskar Motor are deeply committed to nurturing globally competitive talent from India. The Global Skill Up Training Program is more than just a learning opportunity; it is a journey to experience excellence, discipline, innovation, and respect on a global stage. Through this initiative, we aim to empower our youth with world class technical expertise and the values that define Toyota’s culture, while contributing to the Government of India’s Skill India vision. Together, we aspire to make India a global hub for people, solutions, and automobiles, and together we will make that vision a reality.”

Dr. Sharanaprakash Rudrappa Patil, Minister for Skill Development, Government of Karnataka, said, “We are proud to see our youth getting access to this global opportunity with Toyota. This program aligns strongly with our vision to position Karnataka as a hub for advanced skills while empowering rural talent to access world-class career opportunities.”

Sonal Mishra, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, said, “The collaboration between MSDE and Toyota under the TITP framework represents India’s growing role as a trusted global source of highly skilled professionals. This international apprenticeship opportunity will accelerate India’s contribution to global value chains and enable our youth to build future-ready careers.”

Till date, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has trained and empowered over 140,000 youth across India through its multi-tier skilling initiatives, including the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI) model.

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Uber for Business, the enterprise division of Uber, has appointed Rituraj Chaturmohta as the Senior Country Manager for India & South Asia.

In his new role, Chaturmohta will lead the division’s growth strategy, focusing on strengthening partnerships with organisations, enhancing enterprise mobility solutions and driving innovation in corporate travel and employee transportation.

Chaturmohta joins Uber with experience in marketplace and platform businesses. He previously served as Head of Sales and Business Development at Airbnb.

Eric Lee, Regional General Manager and Head of Uber for Business - APAC, said, “We are delighted to have Rituraj join our leadership team to drive Uber for Business’ growth and partnerships in India and South Asia. His experience in building and scaling platform businesses, combined with his understanding of the Indian market will be instrumental in strengthening our enterprise offering.”

Rituraj Chaturmohta, Senior Country Manager, Uber for Business, India and South Asia, said, “I am thrilled to join Uber for Business to lead India and South Asia, one of Uber’s most dynamic growth markets. Uber for Business is reimagining how businesses move - with scale, sustainability, and customer centricity at the core. My focus is to deepen Uber’s relationships with our business clients, build tailored mobility solutions that drive measurable ROI, and make Uber for Business a growth partner for every company operating in this region.”

Uber for Business manages travel, meals, and commute programmes for over 200,000 organisations worldwide. In India, the division currently assists over 8,000 organisations with solutions for business travel, daily commutesand employee shift transportation.

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The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has assessed the draft of the 2030 Charging Infrastructure Master Plan, calling for a coherent, cross-departmental 'Overall Charging Strategy' to accelerate the expansion of charging infrastructure.

Hildegard Muller, President, VDA, said, “In order to further accelerate the expansion of charging infrastructure for vehicles, increase user-friendliness and ensure charging prices, a cross-departmental 'Overall Charging Strategy' is necessary. Against this background, the VDA fundamentally assesses the draft of the 2030 Charging Infrastructure Master Plan as good.”

The VDA supports the draft's proposals to increase e-mobility through streamlined approval procedures, grid expansion, charging prices through transparency and a focus on charging infrastructure for trucks and buses on highways and at depots.

However, the association outlined areas requiring work:

• Multi-Unit Buildings: The VDA demands that the EU Building Directive requirements for charging infrastructure at parking spaces be implemented into law without delay. It stressed that the pooling of charging points across locations, as mentioned in the draft, would weaken EU requirements and must be rejected.
• Commercial Vehicles: While welcoming the commitment to expand the charging network for trucks, the VDA noted that the still inadequate availability of charging points represents an obstacle to the ramp-up of commercial vehicles and buses. It also stated that the draft fails to address the segment of light vehicles, demanding measures to support the development of charging infrastructure in urban areas.
• Power Grids and Taxation: The VDA highlighted that Germany's power grids are not equipped for the energy transition. It called for the expansion to be oriented towards demand and for a uniform, digital process for grid connection applications. Furthermore, the VDA demands that electricity tax, network charges and concession fees be eliminated when energy is fed back into the supply network (vehicle-to-grid) to establish bidirectional charging.
• Charging Prices: The VDA reiterated that charging prices are necessary for the market ramp-up of e-mobility. It called for the electricity tax for e-mobility to be reduced to make charging electricity less expensive, noting that the draft 'falls short of the coalition agreement' on this point.

The VDA also urged the government to advocate for targets in the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) at the level, stating that the AFIR targets are not to the market ramp-up of e-mobility in Europe.

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HERE Technologies, a provider of location data and technology platforms, has announced its collaboration with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) as the ‘Official Navigation on Autopilot and Localisation Partner’ for The ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) Show. The event is organised by Aayera in collaboration with ARAI and MarketsandMarkets.

This partnership is taking place at the newly opened ADAS Test City near Pune, Maharashtra, which is touted as India’s first testing ground for ADAS and autonomous vehicle technologies.

The collaboration supports HERE Technologies' aim to speed up India’s progress towards intelligent transport and connected mobility. By combining HERE’s expertise in high-precision mapping, real-time localisation and connected vehicle data platforms with ARAI’s research and standards work, the partnership aims to bring ADAS and autonomous technologies closer to deployment under Indian driving conditions.

“We’re honoured to partner with ARAI on this transformative initiative. The ADAS Test City is a cornerstone in India’s path toward intelligent mobility and HERE’s high-definition maps and localisation technologies are key enablers of safe, reliable and context-aware driving experiences. Together with ARAI, we aim to empower automakers, tier-1s and developers to localise, test and scale ADAS capabilities that truly reflect India’s diverse road ecosystem,” stated HERE Technologies in a statement.

At The ADAS Show, HERE Technologies will present its innovations, including live demonstrations of its real-time localisation and HD mapping systems during ADAS track demos at the Test City. Visitors can explore HERE’s capabilities, such as HERE HD Live Map and HERE ISA Map, C-V2X, and cloud-based localisation. HERE experts will also participate in discussions on navigation accuracy, vehicle localisation and connected mobility.

The ADAS Test City, developed by ARAI, is an integrated testing environment dedicated to the validation of ADAS and autonomous technologies. It replicates complex urban and highway conditions for testing safety features. The ADAS Show 2025, organised in collaboration with ARAI, is a platform for automotive leaders and innovators.

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