South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Group has announced partnerships with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to collaborate and advance research for batteries and electrification. The three institutes include IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay and IIT Madras.

As part of the understanding, the Hyundai Center of Excellence (CoE) will be set up within IIT Delhi, which will operate through sponsorships from Hyundai Motor Group. It will lead in driving advancements in batteries and electrification, specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Indian market.

Furthermore, Hyundai Motor Group aims to invest around USD 7 million over five years (2025 to 2029) to support the research at the universities. The collaboration will also focus on software and hydrogen fuel cells.

The Korean auto major will also support the establishment of the electric vehicle ecosystem in India. The collaboration will involve the Centre for Automotive Research and Tribology (CART), the only EV-related research institute in India, located within IIT Delhi.

In addition to joint research, exchange of experts from Korea and India, special lectures and technical exchanges are also planned.

Naksup Sung, Head of Hyundai Motor Group Research and Development (R&D) Planning & Coordination Center, said, “We are delighted to join forces with IITs, a group of leading engineering universities renowned for its exceptional education and research. We believe that Hyundai CoE will cultivate a strong network of talented individuals from India's academic landscape, driving innovation and future growth.”

Hyundai Motor Group officials, along with IIT representatives, including Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director at IIT Delhi, Dean Sachin C. Patwardhan at IIT Bombay and Dean Manu Santhanam at IIT Madras, attended a ceremony at IIT Delhi where they signed an agreement for the joint establishment of the ‘Hyundai Motor Group-IIT Hyundai CoE.’

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ola Electric is set to host its annual event ‘Sankalp’ on 15 August, at its Gigafactory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu.

At the event, the company shared that it will unveil its ‘India Inside’ vision across products and technologies. This year, Ola Electric has made its event public inside the Gigafactory, which will be live-streamed on its official channels with more details to be announced soon.

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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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