Artificial intelligence (AI) is an evolving technology that is still growing, but it is undoubtedly getting better. 

For all we know, factories might not even need lights 20 years later, because most of them will be operated by AI. We see a lot of R&D happening within the AI framework, giving good results. Besides, we see newer frameworks coming in. 

AI-based visual inspection, too, has been growing by leaps and bounds, reshaping automotive inspection. It helps examine detailed defects in vehicles, providing automotive OEMs the opportunity for accuracy and cost-savings. 

One such company focusing on AI-based visual inspection is Lincode Labs, whose AI-backed visual inspection solution, Lincode Visual Inspection System (LIVIS), is its current focus. The company was started with complete research and understanding of the top challenges that manufacturers globally face. After interviewing close to 100 customers, 86 percent of them said that quality inspection happens to be their biggest challenge.

“We were intrigued by this and went to various quality inspection people and identified the technology they were using,” says Rajesh Iyengar, Founder and CEO, Lincode Labs, and goes on, “We went on to find out that the technology hasn’t changed for two decades and there were a lot of false calls in it. That’s when Lincode stepped in and built a product around specific challenges focused on the automotive industry.”

Automotive OEMs, too, look at specifically reducing these false calls and improving productivity, which Lincode has helped solve through its AI-backed visual inspection solution. “The industry standards were 150 to 200 false calls per million inspections. So, in our case, we are doing it in zero to four parts per million,” Iyengar cites.  

Iyengar further reveals that due to this, 80 percent of their customers are repeat orders. “That’s because they are completely happy with the inspection process and the way the inspection is automated,” he mentions.  

LIVIS
Traditional vision systems cannot catch up with AI, as Iyengar says. He avers, “LIVIS stands out because we have built it as a platform. The scalability becomes easier if you’re going to deploy it across multiple factories and locations. But also, the foremost important thing is that it is completely made as a product. Thus, AI is commoditised. With the LIVIS platform, we can bring the cost and time to deployment down.” 

Lincode’s role in the automotive industry
What’s interesting is that even if Lincode caters to the manufacturing industry as a whole, it first addressed the automotive industry. The company researched the market size of various manufacturing companies and the automotive industry took the top spot, with close to USD 542 billion of global value.  

“We started with the automotive industry but pivoted later,” Iyengar tells us and continues, “So, instead of looking at just the automotive or any other industry, we turned our attention to steel, metal, plastic, glass etc. We basically went to the surface and saw how steel and metal are produced today. Whether it’s a CNC machining or forging or casting process, these are major processes used for any industry across the globe involving steel and metal. We understood that steel and metal are dealt with in the same way globally. Therefore, it made sense to go to the surface and into these kinds of defects specifically, and then generalise that and start building a model towards it. This, plus making AI as a product, has made deployment easier across the globe.” 

R&D centre in Bengaluru
Lincode recently opened a new R&D centre in Bengaluru, which also has a significant role to play in deploying the company’s solution across the world.

Stressing on the fact that evolving models are important in AI, Iyengar states, “It’s a continuous process; it’s not that you just build a model and you’re set. We have a big roadmap in the product development, and the Bengaluru R&D centre is going to play a major role in that. We are going to conduct deep research with various data collected across the globe and do various testing with that.” 

Staying ahead
What’s more, Lincode recently closed a funding round in December last year. Catering to a constantly evolving industry like the automotive, Lincode, too, strives to make sure that its visual inspection solution stays ahead and is put to use. “There are about more than 600 parts in a car and each part is segregated – like the structure, wiring, engine components etc.,” Iyengar shares and continues, “These segregations are made so that we can target the sector of the product. For example, when it comes to engine blocks, there is a specific model with a huge data set around engine blocks. This is how we stay ahead of competition.” Iyengar also adds that their trials with various use cases made them understand that inspection alone is not important but also the way the inspection is done. 

Essential skill sets for AI vision systems
Leveraging AI-based visual inspection solutions in the automotive industry is bound to increase productivity, and the cost of labour will also come down because of automation. “Today, most manufacturers use secondary inspection, which can be cut off straight away. This will improve their productivity and also reduce the risk of delays,” Iyengar enlightens. 

Moreover, AI vision systems come with their share of essential skill sets to bring out the best in the automotive industry. Iyengar states that, in general, skilling is required for the factory people. “This could be at various levels,” he puts across and adds, “It could be for the operators, the IT administrator or even the software development team. Hence, deep training is required, which can be somewhat cumbersome because it could be a bit challenging for the operator. So, an IT person might be needed in order to help the operator every time there is a downtime.” 

Covid-19 and AI-backed visual inspection
Such training or skills could certainly come in handy, because Iyengar claims that the need for AI-backed visual inspection solutions in the automotive industry has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic. “Unplanned shutdowns happened during Covid, because of which employees could not report and manufacturing could not continue properly,” he responds and adds, “Hence, a lot of investments are happening because of this. In fact, even now, a lot of employees are still not reporting and the labour problem has become global. It has become tough to get skilled workers. This has led to the adoption of autonomous manufacturing for automotives, where AI is going to play a big role.”

Meeting industry requirements
For an industry that is an economic force globally, AI-based visual inspection is certainly meeting the high-quality requirements of the customers of the automotive sector. Plus, we already see companies like Volvo using the technology. Safety surpasses any requirement, and this requirement can be fulfilled if quality is top-notch. And quality will be at its best if automotive manufacturers can perform production quality inspections in the most efficient way. (MT)

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WeRide, a global autonomous driving technology company, has been granted Belgium's first-ever federal test permit for a Level 4 autonomous shuttle, the WeRide Robobus. This approval allows the company to test its technology on public roads in Leuven and makes WeRide the only company with autonomous driving permits in seven different countries.

The permit, signed by Minister of Mobility, Climate and Ecological Transition Jean-Luc Crucke, allows the Robobus to undergo testing on an 8-kilometre loop with 9 stops between Leuven and Heverlee. This initiative is a collaboration between WeRide, the Flemish public transport operator De Lijn, the City of Leuven and the mobility consultancy Espaces-Mobilites.

After a safety analysis by the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport, the Robobus is expected to begin public road testing in the coming weeks with a safety officer on board. Following the initial testing, De Lijn will operate a pilot shuttle service for passengers from mid-November through January 2026. This will be Belgium's first commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles in mixed traffic.

Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International for WeRide, said, “As an AV company, our goal is always to achieve safe Level 4, fully driverless operations. This test permit is an important step on that journey, allowing us to demonstrate our technology in real-world conditions on public roads while setting a strong precedent for future autonomous vehicle testing across Europe. We thank the Belgian authorities for trusting our technology and supporting safer, smarter and more sustainable transportation.”

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Flipkart, a leading e-commerce giant, is revving up its offerings ahead of its annual Big Billion Days sale, aiming to become a top destination for buying two-wheelers.

The company is betting on a wider selection of both traditional and electric bikes, along with new financing options and a recent GST rate cut, to attract buyers during the festive season. The e-commerce giant's push comes as more consumers are comfortable making large purchases online. 

Sujith Agashe, Vice-President of Electronics at Flipkart, said, “Purchasing a two-wheeler is a significant decision for many, and we’re seeing a growing number of consumers choosing digital platforms for the convenience and transparency they offer. The demand for two-wheelers on Flipkart has grown three-fold in the last one year which reinforces customers’ validation of our customer-centric initiatives. This festive season, we’ve further streamlined the experience, from product discovery to financing, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free process for our customers. At Flipkart, we’re committed to showcasing how a fully digital journey, supported by trusted partners and robust customer service, can make two-wheeler ownership more accessible and convenient across the country.”

To meet this demand, Flipkart has significantly expanded its two-wheeler portfolio. The platform now features a wide range of vehicles, from commuter bikes and scooters to high-performance and premium motorcycles. Top brands like Hero MotoCorp, TVS Motor Co, Bajaj Auto and Suzuki Motorcycle India are available, as are major electric vehicle players such as TVS iQube, Chetak, Ather, Vida, Ola and Ampere.

Adding to the lineup, Flipkart will launch Royal Enfield Motorcycles during the Big Billion Days event, further diversifying its premium selection. The platform will also feature motorcycles from Jawa Yezdi, KTM and Triumph.

A key factor in Flipkart's strategy is making two-wheelers more accessible. The company is offering flexible financing solutions, including a fully digital loan process powered by HFCL and IDFC First Bank, with EMI options extending up to 48 months. Credit card no-cost EMI plans of up to 24 months are also available, alongside exclusive offers for Flipkart Axis Bank Card and SBI Card holders.

This focus on affordability is well-timed with a recent GST rate revision, effective 22 September 2025, which reduced the tax on two-wheelers below 350cc from 28 percent to 18 percent. This tax cut, combined with Flipkart's festive deals, is expected to make this an ideal time for many consumers to purchase a new vehicle.

Flipkart has also invested in simplifying the ownership journey, aiming to make it a fully digital process. Customers can complete everything from booking and vehicle registration to insurance purchases from their homes. The platform ensures authenticity by partnering directly with manufacturers, who then handle fulfillment and after-sales support through their authorized dealers. To assist buyers, Flipkart has a dedicated team of two-wheeler experts available 24x7 to answer questions about products, financing and delivery.

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Bengaluru-based engineering R&D services company L&T Technology Services (LTTS) has inked a multi-year membership agreement with the MIT Media Lab, one of the world’s most prestigious research institutions.

As a consortium lab member, LTTS will explore next-generation advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) to drive innovation in mobility, sustainability and technology space.

As part of the understanding, LTTS will engage in active discussions and information exchange with the Media Lab’s cross-disciplinary ecosystem, which includes researchers, innovators and industry leaders. 

The partners aim to explore sustainable engineering solutions that redefine industries, from creating smarter mobility systems to rethinking infrastructure for a greener future.

Amit Chadha, CEO & MD, L&T Technology Services, said, “We are delighted to join the MIT Media Lab, a dynamic and creative interdisciplinary research sandbox. This collaboration underscores LTTS’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of engineering excellence.  From exploring Agentic AI to early AGI application roadmaps, we are setting a course to shape the future of industries reliant on mobility, sustainability and tech.”

Jessica Rosenworcel, Executive Director of the MIT Media Lab, said, “At the MIT Media Lab, we thrive on relationships that bring together bold industry leaders with our community of researchers. Collaborating with LTTS opens exciting opportunities to engage with AI, data, and design thinking in addressing real-world challenges in mobility, sustainability and technology. Together, we’re exploring the boundaries of what’s possible to inspire meaningful impact at a global scale.”

Going forward, LTTS will also host its flagship industry programs, including the Digital Engineering Awards (DEA) and Advisory Council gatherings, at the MIT Media Lab. These events will act as incubators for LTTS’ business collaborators leading global R&D activities – supporting roadmap development, knowledge exchange and accelerated technological breakthroughs.

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Abu Dhabi has officially launched its first pilot program for autonomous delivery vehicles. The initiative is a collaboration between the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and private partners K2 and EMX, the logistics arm of 7X. This milestone also includes the issuance of the emirate's first official license plate for a self-driving delivery vehicle.

The pilot program will operate in Masdar City with vehicles developed by Autogo, a K2 subsidiary. These vehicles use advanced AI and smart mobility technologies to navigate urban streets and complete deliveries without human drivers. This trial is a crucial step toward a full-scale commercial rollout across Abu Dhabi in the coming months.

This initiative is a key part of Abu Dhabi's larger strategic vision for smart mobility, with the goal of having 25 percent of all trips made using smart transport solutions by 2040. The move builds on previous successes, such as the introduction of autonomous taxis in the city.

Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, said, “The pilot operation of autonomous delivery vehicles in Masdar City is a pivotal milestone in Abu Dhabi’s journey towards building a smart, sustainable transport system that supports our vision of a more innovative and efficient future. It also demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s readiness to adopt and implement the latest global solutions within a safe and reliable regulatory framework. This project is not just a technical trial but part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen smart logistics, leverage advanced technologies to reduce emissions and congestion and improve quality of life in our cities. Through strong public-private partnerships, we are working to enable sustainable urban mobility and reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in smart transport and innovation.”

The launch of the pilot program also aligns with the vision of the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster, which aims to develop smart infrastructure and localize the production of autonomous systems in Abu Dhabi. After this regulatory achievement, Autogo plans to expand its operations beyond Masdar City and partner with more businesses for wider deployment.

Tariq Al Wahedi, Group CEO, 7X, said, “Integrating autonomous delivery vehicles into Abu Dhabi’s regulatory framework is a strategic milestone toward next-generation smart logistics. At 7X, and through our logistics arm EMX, we are pleased to play an active role in this transition via an integrated ecosystem that includes last-mile solutions. We remain committed to a logistics model that is faster, safer, more adaptable and more sustainable, aligned with the UAE’s ambitions and its agenda for digital transformation and the green economy.”

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