BYD, a leading electric vehicle manufacturer, has launched the third round of its BYD EV Innovate-A-Thon initiative at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET), Patiala.

The initiative is part of BYD India’s industry-academia collaboration with the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC). The competition was launched in 2024 and is currently in the third round of the initiative, focusing on prototype development, serving as a platform for students to showcase innovative ideas that merge engineering excellence, sustainability and real-world applications in the electric vehicle domain.

It saw participation from over 3,200 students from 100 teams shortlisted in earlier rounds. Following which 10 teams were shortlisted each paired with dedicated mentors for technical guidance.

This teams presented functional EV prototypes and also delivered compelling sales pitches to a distinguished panel of judges comprising – Shivani Chaudhary of BYD India, Manas Naishadh Vora of Vroomble Services, Dr. Kamal Vora of NAMTECH and Dr Mohammad Rafiq from Automotive Research Association of India.

F R Singhvi, President, ASDC, said, “We are thrilled to witness such enthusiastic participation from students nationwide. This initiative is about creating a mindset of innovation. This round is not just about demonstrating working models—it's about showing the industry that our youth is ready to take the lead in India’s electric mobility revolution.”

“ASDC’s vision is to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry needs. Through BYD EV Innovate-A-Thon, we are building a talent pipeline that doesn’t just follow trends but sets them. India's mobility story is being rewritten by its youth. Through this initiative, we’re simply giving them the canvas. What they’re painting is nothing short of a revolution.”

Rajeev Chauhan, Vice-President, BYD India, said, “We believe in empowering young minds to shape a sustainable future. This is our way of offering them a global stage to think, build, and lead in electric mobility. When students are given real-world challenges, they rise to the occasion with creativity and conviction. That’s what we’re witnessing in BYD Innovate-A-Thon.”

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Pune-headquartered automotive major Force Motors has unveiled Force iPulse, its new connected vehicle platform designed to enhance operational intelligence and vehicle lifecycle management.

Developed in partnership with Intangles, the platform uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) and hybrid analytics to provide insight into vehicle performance. It continuously analyses high-resolution data to predict issues, enabling the early detection of performance problems and component failures.

Unlike traditional monitoring systems, Force iPulse goes beyond simply reporting faults. It performs root-cause analysis on key subsystems, including the engine, powertrain and electrical and thermal systems, allowing for proactive intervention to prevent unplanned downtime. This enables fleet operators to make precise, data-backed decisions.

Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors, said, “At Force Motors, we believe in value-driven innovation, and this launch is yet another step in our mission to deliver superior, intelligent mobility solutions. Force iPulse is more than just a technological solution—it is a business enabler for our customers. It brings in transparency, improves efficiency, and ensures safety across operations, thereby equipping our customers with complete control over their fleet operations. We are confident that this new initiative will be well appreciated by both our customers as well as our partners and help take us another step forward in delivering our promise of customer delight.”

The platform, built on a secure cloud-native architecture, provides access to real-time and historical vehicle data on both mobile and desktop devices. It offers a unified view of operations, helping fleet managers detect inefficiencies, enforce best practices and optimise the total cost of ownership.

Furthermore, to support the new technology, Force Motors has established an Intelligence Command Centre at its headquarters in Pune. Manned by diagnostics experts, the centre provides remote vehicle monitoring, alert management and expert guidance. This is backed by a 24x7 support infrastructure.

Force iPulse is now available across Force Motors’ network of more than 300 dealerships. It will be a standard feature on all new commercial vehicles and can also be fitted as a certified aftermarket solution.

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California-based e-mobility company Faraday Future Intelligent Electric has commenced the trial production phase of its new FX Super One electric MPV at its Hanford facility.

The phase will focus on validating production processes, workflows and quality standards. Factory engineers and staff are also undergoing training to prepare for full-scale production. The next stage will involve engineering validation, including safety testing.

Unveiled in Los Angeles on 17 July, the FX Super One features Faraday Future’s Super EAI F.A.C.E. interface and its 6x4 Embodied AI Agent architecture. The model is positioned as a premium alternative to traditional large SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade.

The company has invested around USD 300 million in its 1.1 million-square-foot Hanford facility, which could be scaled up to produce over 30,000 vehicles per year with further funding and permits. The plant may also support multi-model assembly lines.

Faraday Future recently secured USD 105 million in new funding, expected to cover most of the FX Super One’s launch costs.

Founded in 2014, the company aims to disrupt the automotive industry by creating a user-centric, technology-first and smart driving experience.

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German tier 1 supplier Schaeffler has developed a hands-free access sensor that allows users to open and close vehicle trunks or sliding doors with a foot motion, without needing to press a button or use a remote. Based on Doppler radar technology, the system enables keyless and contactless vehicle access.

According to Matthias Zink, CEO Powertrain & Chassis, Schaeffler AG, “With the expanded portfolio of the Powertrain & Chassis Division, Schaeffler is positioning itself as a new provider of innovative sensor solutions for body applications. The hands-free access sensor is an example of Schaeffler’s growing, complementary product range following the merger with Vitesco Technologies – and marks another step toward our goal of becoming the world’s leading Motion Technology Company.”

The sensor activates when a person enters the radar field beneath the rear of the vehicle. It detects foot movements and analyses both speed and direction within a 60-centimetre range. Artificial intelligence is used in the calibration process, adapting the system to different vehicle models to improve detection accuracy and reduce false triggers.

Production of the sensor began in Europe at the end of 2024 for major automotive manufacturers.

Leif Reinhold, Head of the Powertrain Solutions Business Division at Schaeffler, responsible for the company’s sensor portfolio, said. “Schaeffler’s hands-free access sensor is a key component in the vehicle for intuitive access and also highlights our expanded sensor expertise in the market. We have been producing the hands-free access sensor in volume since the end of 2024 – in Europe, for major European automotive manufacturers. We also see additional growth potential in North America and China.”

Operating at a 24 GHz frequency, the sensor maintains performance in various weather conditions and temperatures ranging from –40 to 105 degrees Celsius. It connects to vehicle systems via a LIN interface and is suitable for various body styles including SUVs, minivans and sedans.

The sensor can be mounted either on the bumper or the chassis and is compatible with vehicles fitted with or without a trailer hitch. Installation involves a single screw-in component, removing the need for extra clips, brackets or antenna runs.

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In a clear signal of its strategic intent to diversify and future-proof its business, Maruti Suzuki India’s Board of Directors have agreed to amend its Memorandum of Association (MoA) to enable expansion into a wide array of new-age mobility, sustainability and technology-driven segments.

The amendments go beyond just manufacturing and selling passenger vehicles, and now includes buses, vans, lorries, motorcycles, scooters and other motor-powered vehicles, as well as amphibious vehicles and those capable of travel on land, sea, air or any combination thereof. The scope also covers the production and sale of drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), along with all associated components, accessories and technologies.

Additionally, the company may establish and operate facilities for testing, training and data processing to support its manufacturing and technology-driven activities.

The amended charter outlines a significantly broadened scope, allowing the company to manufacture and deal in a comprehensive range of vehicles – from traditional automobiles to drones, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and amphibious vehicles. This move opens up potential entry into emerging sectors such as aerial mobility and defence-grade UAV systems.

A key focus area is the electric mobility ecosystem. Maruti Suzuki India plans to develop and operate EV charging and battery swapping infrastructure, as well as engage in trading and distribution of alternative fuels such as compressed biogas and hydrogen. This aligns with India's push towards decarbonisation and adoption of cleaner transport.

On the sustainability front, Maruti Suzuki India aims to build capabilities in recycling and repurposing end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) and industrial scrap, including metals, plastics and e-waste. It also plans to trade in carbon credits and renewable energy certificates, suggesting a move to integrate environmental instruments into its business model.

The amendments also allow Maruti Suzuki India to offer consultancy and R&D services in vehicle engineering, testing and certification, while supporting clients and regulators with testing grounds and infrastructure. Additionally, it can now provide supply chain, logistics and IT services – potentially transforming into a full-spectrum mobility and services enterprise.

With this expansive update to its foundational objectives, Maruti Suzuki India is preparing to transition from a conventional automotive business into a multifaceted mobility and sustainability-focused organisation, capitalising on upcoming opportunities in electrification, circular economy and next-gen transport.

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