The Autonomous BAJA SAEINDIA 2024 (aBAJA) kicked off with great fanfare, marking the first day of the one-of-a-kind student competition centred on autonomous all-terrain vehicles (AATV).

This 3-day competition (from 4 to 6 October 2024) is hosted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune, and marks a milestone for BAJA SAEINDIA as autonomous vehicle technology was introduced to the engineering competition. Five teams from throughout the country compete in the event, each of which must complete a unique set of tasks meant to evaluate the performance of their vehicles and teamwork.

Pre-event preparation tests were carried out at ARAI, Kothrud, Pune, from 30 September to 3 October, in the run-up to the tournament. Among these were comprehensive technical examinations, in which vehicles' electrical, mechanical and autonomous systems were carefully assessed to make sure they complied with competition regulations. Assessments of team preparedness and safety briefings were also conducted. To help teams test and improve their autonomous vehicles and make sure they matched the competition's rigorous requirements, trial run tracks were built up for the dynamic events such as Object Detection, Classification and Tracking (ODCT) and Remote Driving System (RDS).

On the first day, static events like the design evaluation and business presentation took main stage. These occasions gave the teams a chance to showcase their creative approaches and intricate designs, emphasising the intricacy and foresight required to create autonomous systems. Teams will test their vehicles' capabilities in real-world scenarios on the second day, which is expected to feature exciting activities that highlight engineering ingenuity and expertise.

Highlighting the significance of hosting the event at ARAI during the welcome address on behalf of ARAI, Ujjwala Karle, Joint Convener, Phase 3 of aBAJA SAEINDIA 2024 & Deputy Director, Technology Group, ARAI, said, “It is an honour for ARAI to host Phase 3 of aBAJA SAEINDIA 2024. This event highlights our commitment to bridging academia and industry. It is inspiring to witness students exhibit the passion and boldness necessary to tackle the complexities of the automotive landscape. BAJA SAEINDIA serves as a vital ‘Introduction to Industry’ (i2i), providing hands-on experience with real-world challenges. Furthermore, initiatives like the iNTELLIMOBILITY Ideathon empower participants to address pressing mobility issues with innovative solutions. We at ARAI are proud to support BAJA SAEINDIA and wish all participants great success in this year’s event.”

Emphasising the importance of technological innovation in shaping the future of mobility, the Chief Guest for the event, Umesh Shah, Managing Director, Autoliv, said, “aBAJA represents a confluence of creativity, engineering, and technology. It is through such initiatives that we inspire the next generation to think beyond conventional solutions and tackle real-world problems with courage and a spirit of innovation. I congratulate the participants for taking up this challenge and encourage them to bring forward their passion and ideas that will shape the mobility landscape in India and beyond. The efforts of the organising committee and all those involved in this competition are commendable. Their dedication ensures that aBAJA continues to be a platform where emerging engineers are not only tested but also encouraged to innovate and grow. I wish all the participants the very best in their endeavours and extend my best wishes to BAJA SAEINDIA as they continue to break new ground with aBAJA SAEINDIA 2025."

Shahkar Abidi, Assistant Editor at Autocar, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Stressing the importance of continuous learning and practical exposure for engineering students, he said, “Autonomous driving and intelligent mobility are no longer just concepts; they are the future. BAJA SAEINDIA has always been ahead of the curve in providing hands-on experiences to students, and aBAJA is a testament to this vision. The passion and drive I see among these students will surely propel them to become future leaders in the automotive industry.”

The grand inaugural ceremony also saw the presence of esteemed dignitaries from both industry and academia, including Ganesh Rao, Director of R&D at Continental; Shantanu Sonar, DGM at Daimler Truck Innovation Centre India (DTICI); Dr P Rajalakshmi from TiHAN, IIT Hyderabad; Balraj Subramaniam, Chairman of the Organising Committee of BAJA SAEINDIA and Saurabh Chitnavis, Joint Convener of aBAJA SAEINDIA 2024.

Automotive Test Systems has inaugurated a new EV lab at Amrita Automotive Research and Technology Centre (AARTC), Coimbatore. The AARTC is part of Amrita University, with which Automotive Test Systems has a long standing association. In fact, the AARTC has completed 10 years of operation and has been supporting the industry and academia by helping them to conduct research on various domains including powertrain emission testing, RLDA, vehicle dynamics, NVH, ADAS etc. it has enabled the development of safer, sustainable and reliable products .
A grand affair, the inauguration of the new lab was done by Latha Chembrakalam, Vice President and Head of Technical Centre India, Continental Automotive (Bengaluru), Dr Rmdhas rumugam Sakunthalai, Director, GARC, Rajesh D, Vice President, Volvo Group Trucks Technology, and Bhaktha Keshavachar, CEO, CharaTechnologies.
The new lab houses a 48 kWh electric motor test bench, a battery test lab and a simulation lab as an extension of the existing facility.
Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the tech centre that Automotive Test Systems and Amrita University are already operating jointly, the inauguration of new lab saw delegates and guests from the industry and academia made it to Coimbatore. 
They also attended a two day workshop on sustainable mobility at the Amrita University, 
The entire CIR team of Amrita University led by Prof. Parameswaran attended the event. The mechanical engineering team led by Prof. Ramesh lend its support in organising the event.
The team of AARTC led by P.N. Prasad, Desigan Murugesan and Prof. Lakshmikanthan C contributed to the success of the event. 
State-of-the-art, the 160 kW test bench and chassis dynamometer in the lab are already being used extensively by the industry for testing and development of electric motors and motor controllers among other electric vehicle components, mentioned Ramanathan Srinivasan, Managing Director, Automotive Test Systems.
                    
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Novus Hi-Tech, a global leader in Driver Monitoring System (DMS), In-Cabin Sensing and Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), is all set to unveil and implement its latest suite of safety solutions for mines, in compliance with Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), on the Eicher Pro 8035 XM mining trucks at the prestigious Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.

Specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced in mining operations and other heavy-duty applications, the mining safety suite includes cutting-edge solutions like the Driver Monitoring System (DMS), an AI-based camera system that tracks driver behaviour in real-time to identify and notify drivers in the event of fatigue or inattention. Additionally, the suite features the Auto Dipper System, which automatically lowers headlights to low beam for maximum visibility while minimising glare for other road users, and the Proximity Warning System (PWS), an advanced RADAR system that provides real-time notifications regarding adjacent objects and vehicles.

Live product presentations and demonstrations showcasing how these patent-pending innovations improve operational safety, enhance regulatory compliance and mitigate risks in difficult mining environments will be part of the unveiling event, which will take place on 20 January 2025 at 11:30 am at OD1.1 in front of exhibition hall 2.

Anuj Kapuria, CEO & Founder, The Hi-Tech Group, said, "Our unwavering mission to help fleets achieve zero-accident operations through cutting-edge technologies is exemplified by the Hi-Tech Safe product suite, which has already prevented over 200,000 accidents. Today, we are thrilled to launch a pioneering safety solution specifically designed for mining operations, in partnership with Eicher Trucks and Buses, setting a new standard for operational safety and efficiency."

Leading motion technology company Schaeffler India is showcasing its cutting-edge mobility solutions at the Auto Expo Components Show 2025, a component of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, in New Delhi. This demonstrates the company's dedication to electrification, digitalisation and sustainable mobility that is suited to the particular requirements of the Indian market. From 18 to 21 January 2025, visitors may interact with the company's specialists and see its cutting-edge solutions at Hall-1, Booth: E5, Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi.

Schaeffler India's Vehicle Lifetime Solutions (VLS) business will showcase a range of customer-focused services, market-driven solutions and cutting-edge technology. The solutions and technologies on display will show how the division is focusing to be the best partner for the evolving mobility ecosystem. It will include repair and service solutions for combustion engines, hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles under its well-known brands INA, FAG, LuK, Schaeffler TruPower, and the service brand, REPXPERT.

The display of Schaeffler's cutting-edge automotive solutions, such as the 3-in-1 Electric Axle, which combines the power electronics, motor and gearbox for optimal EV performance, will be another highlight of the show. Furthermore, in partnership with Vitesco Technologies, a Schaeffler Group company, the exhibit will showcase the high-voltage axle drive (EMR4), sensors, controls and actuator solutions from the integrated portfolio. At The Auto Expo Components Show 2025, Schaeffler India reiterates its dedication to helping India's automotive transition.

Micah Shepard, President, Vehicle Lifetime Solutions Asia Pacific, said, “The automotive industry is undergoing rapid change which requires a continuous commitment towards innovation. As trends such as digitalisation and sustainability come into focus in the automotive industry, we are taking a holistic view of the mobility ecosystem to offer comprehensive solutions and create sustainable long-term value.”

Sharad Bhatia, President, Vehicle Lifetime Solutions India, said, “India’s diverse and growing mobility ecosystem demands innovative solutions that are both sustainable and reliable. At Schaeffler India, we combine our global expertise with localised engineering to deliver products that meet these needs. Backed by a robust distribution and supply chain network, our repair and service solutions from Vehicle Lifetime Solutions division offer value across the entire vehicle lifecycle, empowering customers and supporting India’s sustainable mobility ambitions.”

The Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA) and XLRI Delhi-NCR showcased an early example of Indian automotive design at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. INDEA championed ‘Design in India’ by showing one of the first Indian design initiatives in the automotive space from the late-1970s – a testament to the can-do spirit of automotive start-ups in the country. 

Echoing the Prime Minister's vision of making India a global hub for innovation and sustainable development, and as a tribute to India’s automotive heritage, the booth showcased the Sipani Badal, a pioneering three-wheeled car from the late-1970s. The Badal, with its innovative-for-its-time fiberglass body and unique, individualistic design, represented a bold step in Indian automotive design when it was first unveiled almost five decades ago. Today, it serves as a reminder of the country’s long history of innovation and ingenuity, while highlighting INDEA’s mission to drive innovation and shape the future of mobility.

Visitors at the exhibition also had an opportunity to explore the creativity via the Wacom tablet. Using intuitive software, attendees explored the artistic potential by creating unique designs, which they could print and take home as personalized mementos. 

Reflecting on the event, Director of XLRI Delhi-NCR Dr. K.S. Casimir said, “INDEA’s participation at the Expo highlighted our commitment to nurturing designers who not only innovate but also address the broader societal and environmental challenges of the future. INDEA, with its focus on design excellence, will prepare the students for the future of work. By nurturing creativity and fostering innovation, we are opening new avenues for education and equipping our graduates with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world."

INDEA Founder Avik Chattopadhyay added, “The Expo is more than an opportunity to showcase INDEA—it is about inspiring creativity and innovation. The exhibition showcases the remarkable synergy between tradition and innovation, as exemplified by the Sipani Badal and the cutting-edge designs on display. It's a testament to the ingenuity of the Indian spirit and a testament to the future of Indian automotive design."