Daimler Truck AG and Rolls-Royce plc plan to cooperate on stationary fuel-cell generators as CO2-neutral emergency power generators for safety-critical facilities such as data centers. They are to offer emission-free alternatives to diesel engines, which are currently used as emergency power generators or to cover peak loads. Daimler Truck AG and the British technology group Rolls-Royce have signed an agreement to this effect. A comprehensive cooperation agreement is to be prepared and signed by the end of the year.

In April, Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group signed a preliminary, non-binding agreement to establish a new joint venture for the large-scale development, production and commercialization of fuel-cell systems for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and other applications. The Rolls-Royce Power Systems business unit plans to rely on these fuel-cell systems from the planned joint venture – as well as Daimler’s many years of experience – in the emergency power generators it develops and distributes for data centers under the MTU product and solution brand. Daimler and Rolls-Royce are linked not only by longstanding cooperation on conventional drive systems for other applications. At the end of last year, Rolls-Royce Power Systems and Lab1886, Daimler’s innovation unit for new business models, had already agreed on a pilot project to develop a demonstrator for the use of this technology for stationary power supply on the basis of fuel-cell modules from the automotive sector. It will go into operation in Friedrichshafen by the end of this year.

“For Daimler Truck AG, fuel-cell systems play a decisive role in achieving CO2-neutral transport – as a supplement to battery-electric drive. Just at the end of April, we announced our intention to establish a joint venture with the Volvo Group. With the agreement for stationary fuel-cell systems concluded, we are already demonstrating very concrete opportunities for the commercialization of this technology through the joint venture,” stated Martin Daum, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck AG and Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG.

“We are delighted that Rolls-Royce is as convinced as we are of the future of fuel cells in the stationary sector and would like to enter into this long-term cooperation with us. On the one hand, this represents further impetus for the development of a hydrogen infrastructure across all sectors and applications; on the other hand, it will enable us to work together to further increase the economy of fuel cells, as well as society’s acceptance of and confidence in them,” continued Martin Daum.

“Data centers are the nodes of the global information and communication network, whose vital importance has become particularly clear in these difficult times and whose operation must therefore be reliably safeguarded. The same applies to other safety-critical systems. Under our MTU brand, we develop customized solutions, thousands of which we have already installed, for data centers’ individual, complex and growing energy needs. The decarbonization of drive systems and power supply is one of our central strategic goals and fuel cells will play a key role in this. No other technology offers such high reliability, modular scalability and all the advantages of renewable energies without dependence on the conventional energy market. Through the cooperation with Daimler Trucks, we will gain access to fuel-cell systems that meet our demanding requirements and will thus further strengthen our outstanding position in this growth market,” said Andreas Schell, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

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Basemark, a provider of real-time graphics and augmented reality (AR) software, has announced a strategic collaboration with KPIT Technologies, a global mobility solutions provider. The partnership aims to accelerate the development and large-scale deployment of next-generation, multi-screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) solutions for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

As a primary milestone of this agreement, KPIT officially joins Basemark’s Rocksolid ecosystem as its first certified partner. The alliance is structured to help automotive manufacturers transition HMI concepts into production-grade series deployment faster while meeting stringent industry standards for safety, reliability and performance.

As modern vehicles transition into software-defined platforms, advanced HMIs have become critical differentiators for brand identity and consumer experience. However, scaling immersive, context-aware interfaces across multiple vehicle segments and varied display domains remains a significant engineering challenge.

This collaboration addresses those complexities by pairing specialised software hardware with global engineering scale:

Basemark's Rocksolid Platform: Provides a high-performance software environment tailored for advanced HMI and AR development. The platform is designed to support modern development workflows, including artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted creation, modification, and debugging of HMI assets and application logic.

KPIT's Integration and Engineering Scale: Brings nearly two decades of automotive software expertise, having supported more than 20 million vehicles globally. KPIT provides end-to-end capabilities across infotainment, digital cockpits, connectivity, embedded platforms, systems integration, validation, and global delivery.

The Rocksolid Certified Partner Program is designed by Basemark to ensure that OEMs can execute high-volume, safety-critical HMI programs with verified partners who have demonstrated technical excellence on the platform.

Under the agreement, KPIT will directly leverage Rocksolid Studio and Rocksolid Engine to design and deploy integrated automotive software architectures, including advanced HMI, AR Head-Up Displays (HUD), digital cockpits, and multi-display experiences.

Tero Sarkkinen, Founder & CEO, Basemark, said, “KPIT becoming the first Rocksolid Certified Partner is an important milestone for the Rocksolid ecosystem. With KPIT’s automotive software expertise and delivery scale, OEMs can accelerate their journey from HMI concept to reliable series production.”

Omkar Panse, CTO, KPIT Technologies, added, “Our collaboration with Basemark strengthens our ability to help OEMs deliver advanced HMI experiences with production readiness and scale. By combining Rocksolid’s high-performance platform with our solutions, and software and systems expertise, we enable customers to deploy differentiated user experiences across vehicle programs efficiently.”

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German luxury automotive company Audi has officially introduced the Audi Nuvolari, its first-ever supercar featuring a high-performance hybrid powertrain. The company believes it is destined to become the fastest and most powerful production vehicle in the history of the brand. Production of the vehicle will be strictly limited to 499 units with customer deliveries scheduled to commence in the first half of 2027.

Named after the legendary, fearless pre-war racing driver Tazio Nuvolari, the pre-production prototype represents a monumental shift for the manufacturer. It serves as the pioneering production model to debut Audi’s brand-new, visceral design philosophy.

The technical core of the Audi Nuvolari features a complex hybrid system sporting four distinct drive units that push out a combined maximum system output of 736 kW (1,001 PS).

It uses a mid-mounted 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine that generates 588 kW (800 hp) and 730 Nm of torque. Heavily derived from motorsports, it revs up to an impressive 10,000 rpm. The engine is further complemented by three axial flux electric motors, which include two oil-cooled axial flux motors on the front axle, outputting up to 2,150 Nm of torque and enabling fully variable torque vectoring. A third electric motor is sandwiched between the mid-mounted engine and the transmission. The system relies on a lithium-ion battery with a gross capacity of 7.3 kWh.

The Audi Nuvolari has a claimed acceleration of zero to 100 kmph in under 2.6 seconds, upto 200 kmph in 6.8 seconds and a top speed exceeding 350 kmph.

To safely manage extreme velocities, Audi worked closely with its Formula 1 drivers to refine the car's aerodynamics. The vehicle features an S-duct – a vented front end that channels air to increase front-axle downforce while reducing lift – and a deployable adaptive rear wing. The wing automatically morphs through three operational configurations: Closed (minimising drag), Low Downforce (LD) and High Downforce (HD).

In its peak HD setting, the aero package generates more than 400 kg of downforce. Drivers can also manually deploy a steering-wheel-mounted Drag Reduction System (DRS) on straights to lower the wing and bleed off drag.

Structurally, the supercar utilises the renowned Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology but pairs it with an all-carbon fibre exterior for the first time in brand history. Virtually all body panels are built using high-tech prepreg autoclave technology to ensure maximum rigidity with minimal mass. Forged centre-lock wheels also make their production debut on this vehicle.

Quattro Predictive Ride

The vehicle premieres quattro predictive ride, an advanced evolution of Audi's signature all-wheel-drive system. Using a highly responsive vehicle state model fed by real-time telemetry (including yaw rate, steering angles and grip levels), the car proactively calculates traction thresholds.

Before a tyres-slip event can occur in a corner, the car seamlessly modulates longitudinal and lateral torque vectoring, tweaks active aero downforce and applies targeted brake interventions to stabilise the chassis.

Through physical rotary dials on the steering wheel, drivers can select from four core modes, plus a dedicated track setting:

• E-Hybrid: For fully electric, emissions-free urban driving.
• Balanced: Prioritises everyday driving comfort, efficiency and baseline performance.
• Dynamic: Optimises throttle response and sharpens cornering precision.
• Dynamic+: Focuses the entire hybrid powertrain on delivering maximum emotional performance.
• Track Mode: Tailors traction control behaviour to specific track environments, allowing drivers to manually step settings across Wet, Dry, Race, or completely Traction Control Off (TC Off).

The Nuvolari employs a motorsport-derived brake-by-wire system with an energy absorption capability of up to 2.8 megawatts. It permits purely electric regeneration up to 0.3 g before seamlessly engaging its hydraulic anchors.

The physical hardware consists of the new Audi Ceramic Pro braking system, utilising Formula 1 long-fibre carbon brake discs and a custom internal cooling design that boosts thermal dissipation by 21 percent over conventional carbon-ceramic brakes. Massive 10-piston fixed calipers clamp down on 420x40 mm discs at the front axle, while 4-piston calipers handle 410x32 mm discs at the rear.

The cockpit layout strips away secondary digital clutter, keeping all vital human-machine interface (HMI) menus directly inside the driver's primary line of sight. The visual identity features anodised aluminium accents and premium lightweight carbon-fibre bucket seats.

The interior is cleverly split into two distinct colour zones: a dark, muted front cabin designed to optimise high-speed driving concentration and a lighter Shadow Dune layout in the rear.

In a historic nod to Audi's rich racing heritage, the colour accents utilised across the digital HMI screens are styled as a direct tribute to the legendary 1930s Auto Union Type C speed-record race cars.

Gernot Dollner, Chairman of the Board of Management, Audi AG, said, “With the Audi Nuvolari, we are accelerating technological progress. It shows what is possible when the focus is on technology, performance, and execution through teamwork – and when we achieve progress together.”

Rouven Mohr, CTO, Audi, added, “With the Audi Nuvolari, our entire team has once again demonstrated its technical expertise, innovative strength, and dedication. This is reflected not only in the vehicle’s performance and its Formula 1-inspired technologies, but also in the ability to transfer innovations quickly and precisely into a production vehicle.”

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French tier 1 supplier Valeo has expanded its presence in the electric vehicle ecosystem with the introduction of its advanced smart charging product range. The new lineup is being showcased at the Drive to Zero event at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

For the first time, the company is demonstrating its new Ineez AC charging station, which features native integration of bidirectional Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology and the ISO 15118-20 communication protocol. The implementation transforms the traditional vehicle charging point into an active hub capable of optimising local energy flows and reducing user costs by allowing real-time interaction between electric vehicles and the power grid.

The core software and hardware architecture powering Valeo's V2G charging equipment utilises a technology platform originally engineered by IoTecha, which is now owned by Valeo.

This system combines updated communication networks with a cloud-based IoT.ON management platform to secure baseline interoperability between the EV, the charger and the local utility provider.

It utilises ISO 15118-20 protocol, which serves as a secure, universal digital interface between the vehicle and the hardware to guarantee ultra-secure data transfers and support bidirectional energy flows. Embedded software stacks allow for localised implementation of varying international grid codes, optimising hardware functionality according to specific geographic requirements.

The autocharge feature streamlines the consumer charging process by incorporating automatic, cardless user authentication upon plug-in. The bidirectional power flow enables electric vehicles to feed stored energy back into power grids or localised buildings during peak energy demand periods, serving as a functional tool for asset monetisation.

At the event, Valeo is exhibiting its full Ineez commercial portfolio, structured to target residential, commercial, industrial and fleet applications including – Smart Unidirectional (V1G) AC Stations, Advanced Bidirectional (V2G) AC Stations, Energy Management Systems and Ancillary Hardware.

Isabelle D’Ambrosio, Vice-President of Smart Mobility, Valeo, said, “At Valeo, we are combining our industrial excellence and software protocols, to make advanced energy flexibility both accessible and future-proof for our customers, expanding our reach beyond the traditional automotive technology. We are proud to present our latest Ineez AC charging station that offers Vehicle-to-grid technology as well as the latest communication protocol that secures a safe interface between the vehicle and the charging station.”

Oleg Logvinov, Founder, IoTecha, added, “As EV infrastructure becomes woven into the fabric of daily life – from the driveway to the highway – the potential for asset monetisation scales exponentially. IoTecha’s platform, now a part of Valeo’s global ecosystem, bridges the gap between simple charging and smart monetisation. We aren’t just charging vehicles; we are providing a one-stop shop to turn every EV into a high-performance revenue engine.”

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Synopsys, Inc., a prominent provider of silicon-to-systems design solutions, will host its annual flagship Synopsys User Group (SNUG) India 2026 conference at the Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel on 18 June 2026.

The one-day event serves as a collaborative platform for semiconductor design engineers, technology executives and ecosystem partners across India's electronics and systems engineering sectors to discuss developments in the era of pervasive artificial intelligence.

The conference will open with a keynote presentation delivered by Ravi Subramanian, Chief Product Management Officer at Synopsys, titled ‘Re-Engineering the Future of Silicon’. The address will examine the structural transformations occurring within engineering design and development workflows, driven by specific technical shifts:

• AI and Agentic Workflows: Exploring how machine learning and autonomous agent frameworks are optimising traditional silicon layout and verification pipelines.
• Silicon-to-Systems Innovation: Evaluating the accelerating convergence of standard silicon design, multiphysics analysis and intelligent system engineering to manage high design complexity.
• Accelerated Innovation Cycles: Addressing the challenges organisational engineering teams face during truncated development timelines for complex semiconductor products.

As software-defined architectures and AI transform product development paradigms, SNUG India 2026 will run multi-track sessions detailing next-generation engineering workflows. The technical program will incorporate peer-reviewed customer presentations, expert panels and technical deep-dives covering – AI-enabled semiconductor engineering & automation tools; 3DIC and advanced packaging; managing signal integrity & layout density in multi-dye chip architectures; multiphysics chip design & hardware-assisted verification systems and design methodologies for software-defined systems.

Sudeep Kallappa Shivalli, Regional Senior Director, Go To Market at Synopsys, said, “SNUG India 2026 reflects the spirit of collaboration and innovation that has defined the Synopsys Users Group community for over three decades. As engineering teams navigate unprecedented complexity driven by AI, intelligent systems and software-defined products, platforms like this becomes increasingly important for bringing together customers, partners and technology experts to exchange insights, share experiences and collectively shape the future of innovation.”

File photo: Synopsys 2025

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