In a significant stride towards enhancing road safety across Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister of the state, Pushkar Singh Dhami, inaugurated two new Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) in Haridwar and Rishikesh. These facilities are established by Maruti Suzuki India as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The newly launched ADTTs are equipped with high-definition cameras and integrated IT systems, enabling them to conduct driving license evaluations with minimal human intervention. This ensures a more comprehensive, efficient and transparent testing process for aspiring drivers. All evaluations at the ADTTs strictly adhere to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR).

These new tracks will facilitate driving license testing for both Light Motor Vehicles (LMV) and two-wheelers. Maruti Suzuki has been a key partner in this endeavour, having also operated an ADTT in Dehradun since 2019. The Dehradun facility previously received accolades from the Chief Minister for Excellence and Good Governance in 2019-2020.

Brijesh Kumar Sant (IAS), Secretary Transport, Uttarakhand Government, said, "We are committed to making Uttarakhand's roads safer, and Maruti Suzuki's ADTTs are an important enabler in this direction. Our association with Maruti Suzuki goes back to 2009, when the Institute of Driving and Traffic Research was established in Dehradun. With the comprehensive evaluation at ADTTs, we can ensure that only skilled drivers get a driving license."

Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India, said, "Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand is rapidly progressing. One of the key growth drivers for the state is tourism. Efficient and skilled drivers are needed to boost tourism and contribute to safer roads. Our Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) can play a vital role to achieve this goal by ensuring that only skilled and competent drivers receive a license through a 100 percent computerised, transparent and efficient testing process."

"Every year, just before the onset of Char Dham yatra, we undertake a refresher training for commercial drivers in Uttarakhand. This prepares the drivers for hilly terrains on the yatra route. This training is one of the qualifiers for mandatory Green Card required for all commercial drivers during the yatra. This year, we plan to cover about 11,000 drivers in the refresher driving training at IDTRs," added Bharti.

The carmaker stated that the automated testing process at ADTTs have shown a tangible impact on driver preparedness. Initially, a decline in the pass percentage for driving license seekers is often observed, which then gradually increases as applicants arrive better prepared. For instance, at the Dehradun ADTT, the pass percentage initially dropped to 60 percent in FY 2019-20 but has since progressively improved to 69 percent, indicating that only truly skilled drivers are receiving licenses.

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The Digital Twin Lab, established by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) with Micelio and IIT Guwahati Tech Park, has now become completely operational.

The lab, supported by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), enables simulation-led development for electric vehicles (EVs) to help startups, MSMEs and car manufacturers accelerate design, validation and deployment. Its capabilities will be showcased at Micelio’s Global Clean Mobility Summit 2025.

The facility uses a ‘Hub-and-Spoke' model, with the hub at ARAI in Pune and two spokes: one at Micelio Discovery Studio in Bengaluru and the other at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati. It became fully operational in June 2025.

Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI, said, “ARAI is proud to announce the strategic expansion of its Digital Twinning services across India, extending from the western region to the eastern and southern parts of the country. As India advances towards a future of intelligent and sustainable mobility, ARAI remains committed to empowering OEMs, startups, and automotive innovators with cutting-edge mobility solutions. We are grateful to the Ministry of Industries for their continued support in driving technology-led green mobility initiatives. We also deeply value our collaboration with Micelio, our trusted partner in this endeavour and look forward to a successful journey in broadening ARAI’s national footprint.”

The lab offers digital twin modelling for EV components, including battery packs, motors and drivetrains. It provides virtual validation environments that can simulate conditions such as wear-and-tear and energy consumption. This is supported by Hardware-in-Loop testing systems and AI/ML-based simulation tools.

Shreyas Shibulal, Founder & Director, Micelio Mobility, said, "This lab represents a fundamental shift in how India approaches EV innovation. By providing access to advanced digital twin infrastructure, we are reducing time-to-market and development costs, while also enabling a new generation of Indian EV innovators to compete globally while developing solutions specifically tailored to Indian conditions and requirements."

The facility allows startups and MSMEs to validate their concepts and refine designs without large capital investments.

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Tier 1 supplier Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NEURA Robotics, Germany to jointly develop technologies, components and sub-assemblies.

The partnership will also focus on the industrialisation of robots and humanoids for the Indian and other agreed markets. The tie-up comes as intelligent automation sees growth in industrial and humanoid robots, driven by developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and falling computing costs. Sona Comstar, which focuses on electric powertrains, will work with NEURA Robotics to provide automation solutions across industries and create products manufactured in India.

Vivek Vikram Singh, MD & Group CEO, Sona Comstar, said, “We are excited to partner with NEURA Robotics to drive the next wave of innovation in industrial and humanoid robotics. This collaboration aligns with our vision to expand beyond the automotive domain, into a broader mobility space, supporting the future of intelligent manufacturing and service industries. By combining Sona Comstar’s engineering and manufacturing expertise with NEURA’s pioneering cognitive robotics technologies, we are well-positioned to deliver world-class solutions for the global market.”

David Reger, CEO and Founder, NEURA Robotics, said, "At NEURA Robotics, we believe true progress in robotics comes from strong partnerships that unite technology, engineering, and purpose. The collaboration with Sona Comstar represents the convergence of two innovation leaders: one redefining mobility, the other reimagining intelligent robotics. Together, we will set new standards for innovation and scalability in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.”

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AJAX Engineering, a leading manufacturer in the construction equipment sector, has begun trialling a new method of connecting digital sales leads with its dealer network using personalised video messages. The project uses the IMPACT platform from AiVANTA to automate the process.

The initiative addresses the challenge dealers face in converting online inquiries, which often lack context. AJAX now sends each incoming lead a short, automated video containing the customer's name, the product they are interested in and contact details for the closest dealer, including a Google Maps link. The videos are available in regional languages and offer quick actions such as calling the dealer, booking a demonstration, or requesting details.

Delivered immediately via WhatsApp and email, the videos allow dealers to respond to customers with context. Early results indicate the communication can improve conversion rates from leads and increase visits to dealerships.

Karan Ahuja, Co-founder and CEO, AiVANTA, said, "Our collaboration with AJAX Engineering demonstrates how personalized, tailored video communication can transform dealer ecosystems. By bringing personalisation and regional accessibility into the lead journey, we are helping OEMs and dealers work in closer alignment to serve customers better."

The move by AJAX reflects a growing trend in dealer-led industries to use digital engagement tools to support physical interactions. By linking online inquiries and dealership visits, AJAX intends to improve customer experience and help dealers achieve sales outcomes.

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Ansys, now part of Synopsys, has formed a strategic partnership with the US-based non-profit Maker Bhavan Foundation (MBF) to enhance STEM education for students at Tier-2 engineering colleges in India.

The collaboration will grant students in MBF’s Tinkerers’ Labs – the supported makerspaces – access to cutting-edge simulation tools from Synopsys’ Simulation and Analysis portfolio, alongside the Ansys Learning Hub. This initiative is specifically designed to provide students in these institutions with resources that match those available at top-tier engineering colleges.

Under the new Synopsys-MBF Simulation Education Program, students and faculty at up to six selected institutions will initially receive academic teaching licences for Ansys' multiphysics simulation solutions.

Damayanti Bhattacharya, CEO, Maker Bhavan Foundation, said, “This collaboration levels the playing field for students who might otherwise be overlooked. Each lab equipped with world-class tools is a promise to these young engineers that innovation has no boundaries of geography or privilege.”

Beyond providing software, Ansys will offer technical mentorship, coordinate hackathons and workshops and support training for both faculty and students. MBF will manage the implementation, acting as the liaison between the institutions and Synopsys to ensure effective tool usage and track learning outcomes.

Mike Yeager, Area Vice-President, India and Japan, at Ansys, part of Synopsys, said, “We are proud to partner with MBF in building a strong talent pipeline for the future. By bringing global technology to local classrooms, we are empowering students in India to innovate and solve real-world problems.”

This initial one-year partnership is viewed as the start of a long-term plan, with both Synopsys and MBF intending to extend the engagement to more institutions if successful, thereby increasing the impact on India’s innovation ecosystem.

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