NXP India - Roundtable

L-R: Kankana Karkun, Country HR Leader – India, NXP; Hitesh Garg, VP and India MD, NXP; Lars Reger, EVP and CTO, NXP; Robert Habeck, Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Germany and Amardeep Punhani, Sr. Director R&D and Noida Site  Head, NXP.

NXP Semiconductors, one of the leading suppliers of semiconductors, hosted German and Indian policymakers, industry leaders and executives at its site in Noida for an exclusive roundtable event. 

The event was attended by Lars Reger, CTO, NXP, along with business and industry leaders from German, Indian and European companies, as well as respective government officials, including Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The event provided an open dialogue that explored the potential of German-Indian cooperation in technology, industrial, automotive and other key sectors.

During the event, Minister Habeck and the President of IEEMA, Vikram Gandotra, signed a joint declaration, making Germany a partner country for the ELECRAMA 2027, an Indian flagship electronics trade show.

“There is great potential for industrial and technological cooperation between Germany and India. Germany’s advanced technological expertise and innovation complement India’s robust manufacturing ecosystem and its technology achievements and ambitions. We thank NXP for hosting this event and helping bring these industry leaders together to foster fruitful discussions and future growth opportunities,” said Robert Habeck.

The event took place in New Delhi amid the Indo-German intergovernmental consultations and the 18th Asian-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) and attended by government ministers, policymakers and business leaders of both countries. 

The informal and exclusive roundtable format represents an exceptional opportunity for policy and industry leaders from India and Germany to engage in an open and candid environment to discuss India’s growth markets, emerging technology trends, and opportunities for mutual collaboration.

NXP India believes that the potential for industrial and technological cooperation between Germany and India is particularly great: Germany's advanced technological expertise and innovation complement India's impressive technological as well as industrial achievements and ambitions, robust manufacturing, and dynamic market growth, creating fertile ground for mutually beneficial partnerships and groundbreaking advancements.

Lars Reger said, “Collaboration is key to unlocking the full potential of technological innovation. As a global company, NXP has long been committed to fostering international collaboration and exchange. This roundtable illustrates the vibrant potential of Indo-German technological partnerships.”

The exclusive roundtable was followed by technology demonstrations from NXP alongside innovative solutions from Indian and Asian startups. These demonstrations covered various advancements, including those in electric vehicle (EV) motorbikes, artificial intelligence (AI), smart manufacturing, and 6G applications, illustrating the vibrant potential of Indo-German technological partnerships.

Noida is one of NXP’s largest sites. It is a Centre of Excellence for hardware and software design, validation and enablement specifically around edge processing and automotive processing. A VLSI team within the India Design Centre advances trends through sophisticated process technologies and efficient design methodologies

Hitesh Garg, India Country Manager, NXP, said, “This event at our Noida office is a testament to NXP’s unwavering commitment to promoting international cooperation and maintaining a healthy, ongoing dialogue and synergy. Deepening cross-regional collaborations allows our industry to elevate and foster innovation and technological advancements.”

Ola Electric To Unveil India Inside Vision On 15th August

Ola Electric To Unveil India Inside Vision On 15th August

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.

Force Motors Launches AI-powered Connected Vehicle Platform, Sets Up Command Centre In Pune

Force Motors - Intangles

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.

Faraday Future Begins Trial Production Of FX Super One MPV In California

Faraday Future

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.

Schaeffler Introduces Radar-Based Hands-Free Vehicle Access Sensor

Schaeffler hands-free access sensor

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.