SectorQube's IoT smart lock brand, Ikin Global, has raised USD 1 million in a pre-series A investment headed by Callapina Capital and Unicorn India Ventures.

The fund will be utilised to expand the present product line with new releases that will provide industry-specific solutions, sophisticated sensor technology and analytics driven by artificial intelligence (AI). To strengthen its sales, marketing, operations and support teams, Ikin will also be increasing the number of its employees in strategic regions such as US, Europe and India. In order to meet the increasing demand from the logistics industry, the firm also intends to expand its manufacturing capacity.

Over the past 12 months, Ikin Global has expanded its business into foreign markets. The company’s smart products are being used in 1,500 facilities, including sizable warehouses, vaults and retail stores, as well as 2,500 trucks. With a goal income of INR 300 million from the smart lock business in the logistics industry, the company has 20,000 smart locks in its order book. Ikin has also introduced new smart goods, such as the Smart GPS Truck Lock with sophisticated sensors for intruder detection and the Portable iSeals, which replace single-use plastic container seals and have a one-year battery life.

Anil Joshi, Managing Partner, Unicorn India Ventures, said, “SectorQube is addressing a major supply chain and warehousing challenge. As our world increasingly moves online, there is a huge demand from e-commerce and logistics companies to secure shipments whether on the move or stored in third party warehouses. Integrating IoT and AI is a strategic move towards deep tech applications, which will further broaden Ikin’s horizon as they look to enter large international markets. As a fund, with nearly 10 years of investing track record in India, we have a clear thesis on AI and IoT applications-led businesses and we believe SectorQube’s growth trajectory will be accelerated as they enter new markets and strengthen their leadership positioning in the Indian market.”

Vinod Jose, Managing Partner, Callipina Capital, added, “The logistics sector, fuelled by rapid growth in e-commerce, urbanisation and supply chain digitisation, is on track to reach USD 380 billion in India by 2025. However, this expansion has also amplified challenges around asset security, real-time tracking and operational control, with rising incidents of theft, tampering and logistical inefficiencies. SectorQube’s Ikin Smart Locks are purpose-built to meet these demands, offering real-time tracking, tamper alerts and remote access control – all critical for secure, efficient operations in warehousing, transportation and last-mile delivery. The investment is further strengthened by the team’s unique capabilities: a proven track record in product design and a decade-long partnership during which they developed multiple original products. SectorQube embodies the spirit of ‘Make in India’ with a world-class solution ready for a global stage, and we’re confident they are positioned to redefine security standards in the logistics industry.”

Nibu Alias, Co-founder and CEO, SectorQube, said, “At Ikin Global, our goal is to become the leading provider of smart lock solutions for the logistics and warehousing industry. This sector faces major challenges with security, and technology-driven solutions are essential to protect valuable assets and reduce losses during transit and storage. Our talented tech team has developed smart locks with advanced sensors that secure not just truck doors and shutters but the entire cargo or facility. We're excited to expand our reach to the US, Europe and Middle Eastern markets, bringing our solutions to more companies worldwide.”

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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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