No matter whether someone is in a car, on a bike or on foot, to name just three examples – if there is an accident involving a truck, the collision can quickly end with serious or even fatal injuries for the ‘weaker’ party, as they have no chance against the much "stronger" truck due to the huge difference in mass. However, a collision between two trucks can also result in grave consequences for those involved. For Mercedes-Benz Trucks, the top priority has always been to ideally completely avoid this type of scenario or at the very least mitigate the consequences of accidents. That is why new safety and assistance systems are continually being developed and existing systems optimised specifically for the trucks. The Group's Commercial Vehicle Accident Research plays a central role in these efforts. With its accident analyses it prepares the foundations for continually introducing further improvements to the vehicles. "We consider our studies to be indispensable for assessing the behaviour of a truck in actual accidents," Kay Morschheuser, Head of Commercial Vehicle Accident Analyses at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, said.

This procedure has a tradition: since 1972, the commercial vehicle accident researchers at Mercedes-Benz Trucks have been examining selected accidents with Mercedes-Benz trucks throughout Germany using all the existing and ascertainable information, and documenting data on the course of those accidents, the vehicles involved and the damage – complemented by relevant research by the police rescue teams and experts. "We also look for conspicuous aspects pertaining to, for example, the frequency of types of accidents, the discernibility of certain patterns of events or to injuries to persons involved in accidents," Kay Morschheuser explains. Whereas initially the focus was only on passive safety systems such as the cab structure, restraint systems, front and rear underride guards as well as side protection, that focus was expanded with time – in line with technological developments in the vehicles – to include systems for active and integral safety. These include systems such as ABS – the Anti-lock Brake System, EBS – the Electronic Brake System and ESP – the Electronic Stability Program or Proximity Control Assist and Lane Keeping Assist as well as Active Brake Assist (ABA), Sideguard Assist or Active Drive Assist.

Based on their analyses, the accident researchers derive modification measures in close co-operation with the Development department which then often end in future Mercedes-Benz requirements. That is how, several years ago, the idea for Sideguard Assist was developed; since 2016 it has been available for many truck models ex works at Mercedes-Benz Trucks and within its system limits can contribute towards avoiding accidents with pedestrians and cyclists. Active Drive Assist which allows partially automated driving (level 2) in a truck for the first time ever as well as the MirrorCam instead of the common main and wide-angle mirrors are further more recent examples of the interplay between Accident Research and Development at Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

Crash Tests  

The analyses of Accident Research also go hand-in-hand with the crash tests that have been systematically carried out for years. In this regard the developers and safety experts at Daimler Truck AG have regularly developed their own standards and trials always oriented towards actual accidents in addition to the tests for cab rigidity in line with the EU standard ECE R 29. One of the most important crash tests is, for example, the impact with a platform vehicle mock-up which reproduces the typical rear-end collision between a truck and a truck driving ahead of it on the motorway. "In future we will reconstruct real accidents on the computer as a complement to the crash test," says Kay Morschheuser with a look to the future. The combination of crash simulation and accident reconstruction offers an opportunity to examine accidents more specifically and in more detail with freely selected parameters and thus to better understand the mechanisms in an actual accident. "Above all it is the circumstances which lead to an accident that are of particular interest to us," Kay Morschheuser adds. In view of the future increase in automated driving and, consequently, the need to have the corresponding systems able to reliably handle the numerous traffic situations, this is a decisive additional benefit.

As the "icing on the cake" of a solid vehicle safety development strategy, the crash tests form a sustainable unit with accident research. This approach also follows the holistic concept of "integral safety" which Mercedes-Benz is now pursuing more than ever, whereby the passive and active systems installed in the vehicle can provide support in four phases: first during driving, second in the event of danger, third in an accident and fourth after a collision.

A glance at general accident statistics reveals just how efficiently this concept, in particular, contributes to traffic safety along with many other measures. According to the German Federal Statistical Office the number of fatalities in accidents involving trucks in Germany dropped by around 60 percent between 1992 and 2018. The number of those seriously injured was reduced by about 45 percent during that time. And that despite an increase in transportation of around 80 percent. Accidents with serious consequences are much rarer, although their distribution by type of accident has remained almost unchanged. Rear-end collisions, accidents at junctions and accidents caused by the vehicle leaving its lane remain focal points. (MT)

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Ansys, now part of Synopsys, has formed a strategic partnership with the US-based non-profit Maker Bhavan Foundation (MBF) to enhance STEM education for students at Tier-2 engineering colleges in India.

The collaboration will grant students in MBF’s Tinkerers’ Labs – the supported makerspaces – access to cutting-edge simulation tools from Synopsys’ Simulation and Analysis portfolio, alongside the Ansys Learning Hub. This initiative is specifically designed to provide students in these institutions with resources that match those available at top-tier engineering colleges.

Under the new Synopsys-MBF Simulation Education Program, students and faculty at up to six selected institutions will initially receive academic teaching licences for Ansys' multiphysics simulation solutions.

Damayanti Bhattacharya, CEO, Maker Bhavan Foundation, said, “This collaboration levels the playing field for students who might otherwise be overlooked. Each lab equipped with world-class tools is a promise to these young engineers that innovation has no boundaries of geography or privilege.”

Beyond providing software, Ansys will offer technical mentorship, coordinate hackathons and workshops and support training for both faculty and students. MBF will manage the implementation, acting as the liaison between the institutions and Synopsys to ensure effective tool usage and track learning outcomes.

Mike Yeager, Area Vice-President, India and Japan, at Ansys, part of Synopsys, said, “We are proud to partner with MBF in building a strong talent pipeline for the future. By bringing global technology to local classrooms, we are empowering students in India to innovate and solve real-world problems.”

This initial one-year partnership is viewed as the start of a long-term plan, with both Synopsys and MBF intending to extend the engagement to more institutions if successful, thereby increasing the impact on India’s innovation ecosystem.

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Asia’s largest integrated platform for traffic management, road construction and smart mobility solutions officially opened its doors today at the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The combined Traffic Infratech Expo, Road Infratech Expo and Parking Infratech Expo are showcasing over 300 brands under the theme ‘Enabling Responsible Infrastructure and Mobility.’

The 2025 edition emphasises innovation, sustainability and collaboration, bringing together government officials, industry leaders and technology providers to address India’s rapidly evolving infrastructure needs.

Raj Manek, Executive Director & Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings, said, “At Messe Frankfurt India, our commitment to create platforms that don’t just showcase technologies but actively drive industry conversations and policy alignment. Traffic Infratech Expo has evolved into an ecosystem where government, industry leaders and innovators converge to shape the future of mobility. This year’s edition, with its scale and focus on responsible infrastructure, reflects India’s ambition to lead in safe, sustainable and technology-driven transport solutions.”

A key focus of the expo is ‘Transforming Transportation for the Future,’ with several high-level discussions planned on supporting home-grown technology solutions.

The event will host a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing between the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) to accelerate indigenous technology development within the automotive sector.

Jayprakash Nair, Managing Director, Virtual Info System (VIS Group), said, “Over the years, Traffic Infratech Expo has become a catalyst for change in India’s transport and mobility landscape. Together with Messe Frankfurt India, we have built a platform that drives industry and government collaboration. Technology providers, product manufacturers, government associations, infrastructure, and policymakers are converging at the expo to discuss the real challenges and solutions needed. The 2025 edition is particularly significant as it not only introduces next-gen product categories but also brings multiple agencies and stakeholders to the table, reinforcing the show’s role as a driver of innovation and progress.”

The expo is supported by several key government bodies, including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and will feature the Smart Mobility Conference to enable in-depth policy discussions. The two-day event is set to host over 20 new product launches and facilitate B2B and B2G networking.

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Cognizant hosted Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team driver Lance Stroll and driver ambassador Pedro de la Rosa at its GAR campus in Hyderabad. The visit was part of 'Celebrating Cognizant', a series of sporting and cultural activities for company associates.

Lance and Pedro met with Cognizant’s leadership team and hundreds of associates, discussing how Cognizant’s digital expertise supports the team, especially ahead of the 2026 regulations.

Lance Stroll, said, "It was a pleasure to visit the Cognizant offices in Hyderabad and meet so many of the team. Hearing first-hand about Cognizant’s technology and services was valuable and we felt incredibly welcomed by everyone we met.”

Rajesh Varrier, President – Global Operations and Chairman & Managing Director, Cognizant India, said, “Today’s celebration with Lance is a proud moment for our associates and a powerful reminder of how far we have come in shaping the future of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team through innovation. I am inspired by what we have achieved together and optimistic about the promise this partnership holds for the future.”

A fireside chat with Lance, Pedro, and Rajesh underscored the role of technology in F1 and the Cognizant partnership. The drivers engaged with associates in a Q&A session.

In addition to the visit, Cognizant hosted a virtual hackathon for nine teams from three organisations supported by its Outreach programme. Participants developed low-code or code-based solutions to make the team’s Ai.lonso avatar into an engaging digital companion for fans. The top two teams won cash prizes and met Lance and Pedro.

Cognizant began its partnership with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team in 2021. The technology company acts as the team’s digital transformation partner, improving IT infrastructure and daily operations.

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Ola Electric, one of India’s largest electric vehicle manufacturers, has announced that it became the first two-wheeler EV maker to get government certification for its in-house developed rare-earth-free ferrite motor.

The company claims that the ferrite motor eliminates its need to import rare-earth motors with permanent magnets.

The certification has been granted by Global Automotive Research Centre, Tamil Nadu, after undergoing rigorous performance verification and mandatory motor power tests as per AIS 041 that is notified by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Government of India.

As per the company, the in-house developed ferrite motor’s performance matched that of the motors with rare-earth permanent magnet motors in terms of net power for 7kW and 11 kW variants.

Ola Electric claimed that the ferrite motor delivers efficiency, performance and durability on par with rare-earth permanent magnet motors, while dramatically lowering costs and de-risking supply chain fluctuations. The company first introduced its ferrite motor at its annual ‘Sankalp 2025’ event in August this year.

With this, Ola Electric is set to integrate the ferrite motor across its product lineup, further enhancing performance, affordability and sustainability.

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