Mercedes-Benz R&D India (MBRDI), founded in 1996 in Bengaluru to support Daimler’s research, IT and product development activities, is now one of the largest global R&D centres outside Germany, employing close to 5000 skilled engineers and a valuable centre to all business units and brands of Daimler worldwide. The centre is also a key entity for Daimler’s future mobility solutions through C.A.S.E (Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric) for building autonomous and electric vehicles. The centre’s competencies in engineering and IT have progressed to using AI, AR, Big Data Analytics and other modern technologies to provide seamless connectivity. During an interaction with T Murrali, the Managing Director and CEO of MBRDI, Manu Saale, said, “The centre has been growing phenomenally. We have just started a team on cyber security. . . We have been helping to simulate some stack- related solutions using fuel cells. I’m waiting for a clear strategy from the company for a possible venture into the hydrogen path.”  Edited excerpts:

Q: You could begin with detailing the contribution of MBRDI to the Experimental Safety Vehicle (ESF)?

Saale: The ESF is a concept vehicle. We have taken a GLE platform and tried to predict technologies that are coming up and put its demo version inside. Some of them are just future technologies but they are strictly based on the data we have collected, and the accident research and digital trends that we have seen.

There is a worldwide safety theme, centred in Germany and India, which is studying all these data and statistics to predict how the future should look like. Mercedes-Benz has a history of building concept cars as mobility is changing around us. This time we have decided to put safety in perspective for the new age mobility with ESF2019. This time we have decided to put safety in perspective for the new age mobility.

For example, in a driverless car there is no steering wheel, so where will you put the air bags as it has been placed in the steering wheel. This means that the airbag concept will have to change. If you go white-boarding on this topic you will realise that some fundamental things you have been counting on all these years will change. This international team in Bengaluru supporting Germany has been working on many of these kind of concepts.

We have brought it here for two reasons. One is for the contribution from India. A lot of digital simulations have been done before implementing the hardware. Bengaluru has contributed to the digital evaluation of the new safety concepts in ESF. The other reason is to inspire the engineers to innovate further based on the first level of fantasies that we have created, and how it could be taken to the next level. These are the kind of things we want our engineers to think about; ESF is a pointer in that direction.

Q: What are the possible changes with the emergence of EVs and autonomous vehicles for safety?

Saale: Imagine not being able to predict the position of passengers when a crash happens. If they are sitting in a conference mode, facing one another other, how can they be protected without an airbag in their front? That’s one; second is the use of different materials within the car and the dynamics that could happen in an accident. Third is connection to the source of a fuel tank / pack, not specific to one place but probably spread across the floor of a car. The battery and its chemical components are also critical in a crash situation.

There are many new things when we think about safety in autonomous and electric vehicles; whereas connectivity plays into our hands. I don’t think the industry has exhaustively thought about what new dimensions can come from driving autonomous vehicles.

Q: What happens if the accident is so severe that all the electrical connections are cut off? Has any thought gone into this?

Saale: I am sure they have thought about it. An airbag can pop up in milliseconds; an SOS is message placed post crash. Today, in an instant, we can ping the world somehow, so information of position, latitude, etc is sent out immediately when an accident takes place. Of course it depends a lot on the emergency services and collision response in the country.

Q: What is the role played by MBRDI in the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR)? 

Saale: This is the new age digital; we don’t have to go back to the old world of software alone. Digital has shown new potential in the last few years and we have tried to keep pace with the current trends. AI is certainly one of the buzz words that is coming up.

MBUX, which we flagged off in Bengaluru a few weeks ago, showcases how AI could be used as a technology to make customer life easier in the car. We look at all the use cases to find out what the customer does in a car.

For example, use of camera in a car. During night driving if the driver extends his hand to the vacant seat next to him looking for something, and if it is dark, the camera will sense that he is seeking something and switch on the lights. We need AI for that because we have to understand the hand position and the amount of stretch done; it should not be confused with the driver stretching himself after yawning. Such a simple use case requires a lot of technology. These are things where people look at customer behaviour and say ‘technology is not for the sake of technology but to make customer life easier.’

Q: The Tier-1 companies spread across Germany have come up with many futuristic solutions for vehicles. They have their own research centres. So what is the role of R&D centres of OEMs like this other than integration?

Saale: Every centre has to ride its own destiny. Even if we are a GIC we cannot expect HQ to hold our hand for ever. It’s a typical parent-child relationship and not a customer-supplier one. We have seen all the combinations of GICs working out there in the market. I think we have a good success story here. That is the value-add GIC has to think about.

A survey was done on the value-add from GICs; they used the word entrepreneurship from GICs. It was found that only 6 percent of GICs were entrepreneurial, that were really able to innovate. We were also named in that top 6 percent. It depends on the company culture, relationships, handling discussions with HQ and the local leadership teams. That’s the challenge in a GIC compared to a profit centre that is looking from one customer to another.

Q: You are also in touch with suppliers in India and across the globe for necessary hand-holding?

Saale: Absolutely, imagine a situation where the parents trust the child completely.

Q: You will be the parent and Tier-1s the children?

Saale: No, it is not that way. We behave as Daimler when we talk to Tier-1s. We tell them that ‘you know the car well, so do it by yourself and deliver the product.’ That’s the level of maturity in interaction that one can reach.

Q: When it comes to electronics, OEMs the world over are faced with many regulations. Do you see options for them to comply with all the regulations considering the amount of electronics coming into the car?

Saale: Every new thing is a technical challenge on the table. It can be stricter emission norms or features and functionalities that are difficult to reach, a technical compliance issue that crops up every now and then, and a safety or parking aspect that is covered by many regulations around the world. We thrive on such challenges that have pushed a company like Mercedes to keep on inventing because, among many other things, hardware is getting cheaper and smaller, software capabilities are growing, connectivity is increasing, computing external to the car is possible, and so many other things. OEMs are dealing with authorities, trying to handle what is possible at lower cost, because at the end of the day we have to sell. I am sure that regulators and societies around the world today are looking for some balance between technology and cost.

Q: How do you manage multiple sensors in the vehicle?

Saale: Digital appears to be very complex now but electronics will go through its life cycle and come to a point where man understands its complexity and is able to put it all together. Today, we are talking about sensor fusion - putting together the net of information and seeing it as a whole through various sensors.

Functionalities could range from a switch to radar or lidar with their spectrum of signals, to give various resolutions; the processing capability would be in milliseconds. The more we comprehend the mixed bag of signals we get the better will be our ability to make right decisions.     

Q: With all the facilities that you provide to the driver, are you not actually deskilling him?

Saale: The trend is that people don’t want to get into the hassles of driving a vehicle. Driving is stressful and cumbersome to many which is why the autonomous car would gain popularity. The driver has to just punch in where he/she has to go and the vehicle will do it automatically, saving both mental and physical tension. A completely new user base is being introduced into mobility with software features. We have to look at it positively.

Q: Are you also working on cyber security, on things that get into the car?

Saale: We have just started a team now. Our focus on cyber security is at a centre in Tel Avi, Israel.

Q: Do you see scope to improve the thermal efficiency of Internal Combustion (IC) engines further?

Saale: I think the capability, from an engineering perspective, exists to take the IC engine to the next level. The potential continues to be there and all OEMs talk about it. Possibly it is getting affected by the social and environmental aspects.

Q: It is said that the exhaust from a Euro-6 engine is far better than the atmospheric air in many highly polluted cities and it is not actually polluting. What is your opinion?

Saale: It is true. But people say if electricity is generated from coal then aren’t we contributing to pollution? If we localise electric production to one area with everything contained then it would give us better scope to control it rather than spewing it out of every vehicle tail-pipe in all over the world.

Imagine millions of polluting vehicles moving around compared to millions of electric, which don’t have any tail-pipe emissions, with electricity generated by coal that is centralised; it would be a completely different technical and logistic challenge from the environmental point of view. Regulators, politicians and policy makers are all giving their views on this issue; the improvement in living standards and the coming up of smart cities would affect it. I think we are moving in the right direction with the greening of the environment covering everything. I see this sustainable city living much better pictured with electric moving around me.

Q: Can you tell us about the work done around IoT?

Saale: We are working on digitalisation of our production in many ways. One of the teams for Manufacturing Engineering in Bengaluru focuses on digital methods in manufacturing such as production planning, supply chain, logistics and IoT. The team also works on front-loading of production planning.

Q: What is your contribution to the Sprinter F-CELL, the fuel cell application, that replaced the diesel engine?

Saale:  We have been helping to simulate some stack- related solutions using fuel cells. I’m waiting for a clear strategy from the company for a possible venture into the hydrogen path. (MT)

Technology group MAHLE is demonstrating its commitment to a multi-faceted approach for sustainable transportation at the 2025 IAA Mobility exhibition (being held from 9 to 14 September 2025) in Munich, Germany. The company is showcasing (in Hall A1) a portfolio of production-ready innovations designed to accelerate the decarbonisation of road traffic, emphasising that its solutions address immediate customer challenges rather than being distant concepts.

A central theme of MAHLE's strategy, encapsulated under the ‘Efficiency³’ banner, is technological diversity. The group is advancing solutions across three core areas: electrification, thermal management and sustainable internal combustion engines. This broad approach is presented as vital for effective climate protection, enhancing European competitiveness and safeguarding employment, positioning it as a necessary alternative to a single-technology pathway.

A key innovation for electrification is a new range extender system. This compact unit acts as an onboard generator, dramatically alleviating range anxiety by enabling electric vehicles to achieve up to 1,350 kilometres on a single charge. The system's 800-volt high-voltage generator boasts a peak efficiency of over 97 percent and is designed for cost-effective integration into existing vehicle platforms. By allowing for a smaller, right-sized battery, it also contributes to reducing both material costs and charging times on long journeys.

Complementing this is a novel thermal management module, which directly tackles the issue of battery range loss in cold weather. Acting as the central interface for the vehicle's cooling and refrigerant cycles, the module integrates a high-efficiency heat pump. This elegant solution eliminates the need for additional energy-draining heaters, maintaining optimal temperatures for the drivetrain and passenger comfort while increasing overall range by up to 20 percent. Its compact, future-proof design is compatible with current and next-generation refrigerants.

For the existing global vehicle fleet, MAHLE is presenting a pragmatic solution for immediate carbon reduction with its ethanol-powered Power Cell Unit. This package of specially developed engine components, including wear-resistant pistons and adapted valves, allows internal combustion engines to run on pure bioethanol (E100). Lifecycle analyses indicate this technology can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 70 percent, offering a viable and immediate path to decarbonise millions of vehicles without compromising performance.

Beyond powertrains, MAHLE is leveraging biomimicry and artificial intelligence to enhance component efficiency. A revolutionary bionic radial blower, its blades inspired by the aerodynamic efficiency of penguin flippers, was developed using an AI-assisted process termed ‘superhuman engineering’. The result is a component that is significantly quieter and 15 percent more energy-efficient than conventional blowers.

The company's exhibit also features its smart charging infrastructure solutions. The established chargeBIG system offers a scalable, cable-based charging network, now including a compact wallbox and a mobile unit for temporary sites. Furthermore, MAHLE is advancing inductive charging with a convenient positioning system, recently recognised as a global standard by SAE International, which ensures optimal vehicle alignment for energy transfer efficiency exceeding 92 percent.

Additional highlights include diagnostic tools like the E-HEALTH Charge unit, which can assess a high-voltage battery's health in just 15 minutes, and an intelligent cabin climate control system that uses AI to personalise the environment for each occupant. Through this comprehensive array of products, MAHLE is positioning itself as a pivotal force in shaping a efficient and sustainable mobility landscape.

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, has announced the readiness of its ambitious and pioneering project, the ‘ADAS Test City’.

The new facility spread across 20 acres in Takwe near Talegaon, Pune, is designed as a pseudo city to replicate the diverse road conditions in India, which will be instrumental to test and validate Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in a safe, secure, repeatable and controlled environment. The idea is to support the development of ADAS solutions to meet the real-world scenarios in India. The ADAS Test City is also the first-of-its-kind such dedicated facility in the country.

Furthermore, ARAI also announced that it will host ‘The ADAS Show’ in association with Aayera, at the new facility on 12 December 2025, where it expects automakers, tier 1 suppliers and technology companies to showcase their innovation and test vehicles.

Dr. Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI said, “ADAS are pivotal in enhancing road safety, and ARAI remains committed to driving the adoption of safe, smart, and sustainable mobility solutions across industry. Our upcoming ADAS Smart City Track represents a landmark initiative – India’s first dedicated proving ground designed to enable automotive and auto-tech manufacturers to rigorously test and validate their technologies in real-world conditions. We thank the Ministry of Heavy Industries for their gracious support under their Capital Goods Scheme which has enabled us to install the modular infrastructure for Verification and Validation of ADAS at the Test City. This facility will play a crucial role in advancing ADAS capabilities by empowering manufacturers to deliver best-in-class safety solutions to consumers. Moreover, this ADAS Smart City Track will not only facilitate but will boost indigenous ADAS/AV technology development from the budding start-up ecosystem. Hence, events such as The Adas Show, organised in collaboration with Aayera, are instrumental in fostering open dialogue and collaborative innovation in the realm of intelligent mobility. We look forward to insightful deliberations and a successful event on 12th December 2025.”

Syed Fareed Ahmed, Director, Aayera, added, “THE ADAS SHOW is India’s definitive platform where automotive leaders, technologists, and innovators converge to showcase and discuss the most advanced driver-assistance and safety technologies. The previous editions were inaugurated by Dr. Hanif Qureshi, IPS, Additional Secretary (Automobiles), Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India at ICAT, and witnessed participation from leading OEMs such as Honda, JSW MG Motors, BMW, Volvo, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki India, alongside global technology leaders including Bosch, ZF, Valeo, Harman, Starkenn, Rosmerta, Dassault Systemes, NXP, Uno Minda and many more. The Adas Show is a dynamic and engaging event that unites vehicle manufacturers, ADAS technology companies and testing equipment providers to present cutting-edge innovations in real-world scenarios.”

Bengaluru-headquartered engineering R&D service company L&T Technology Services has inked a strategic partnership with Silicon Valley-based SiMa.ai, a leader in Physical AI. The partnership will focus on driving AI-driven solutions across mobility, healthcare, industrial automation and robotics.

As per the understanding, LTTS’ will combine its deep engineering expertise and domain focus with SiMa.ai’s MLSoC ONE platform and software SDK. SiMa.ai will deliver industry-leading AI hardware and software solutions by leveraging LTTS’ core engineering capabilities and human capital investments across key areas such as in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), AD/ADAS, industrial automation & robotics and healthcare.

Amit Chadha, CEO & MD, L&T Technology Services, said, “SiMa.ai cements LTTS’ position as a leader in AI-led ER&D solutions. By combining SiMa.ai’s groundbreaking AI computing technology with our expertise in design and implementation, we are empowering clients across robotics, mobility and healthcare to accelerate time-to-market, enhance operational efficiency and deliver unparalleled value. Together, we are driving the industry forward, embedding intelligence into innovative solutions that are sustainable and scalable.”

Krishna Rangasayee, Founder & CEO, SiMa.ai, said, “Our collaboration with LTTS symbolises the synergy required to scale physical AI applications globally. LTTS brings unmatched engineering capabilities and client reach, making them an ideal partner. By working together, we enable industries to harness the full potential of AI, delivering high performance and power efficiency to clients while simplifying the adoption process.”

Rapido, a leading ride-sharing platform in India, has joined forces with the Jaipur Police Commissionerate to launch a new initiative focused on improving women's safety in the city's public transportation. This partnership, which follows a week-long awareness campaign, will see the installation of dashcams in 100 Rapido cabs to enhance ride monitoring and emergency response times.

Rapido stated that at present, 40 percent of its cab users in Jaipur are women. The initiative, titled ‘Sashakt Nari – Zimmedari Hamari’ (Empowered Women – Our Responsibility), was flagged off by Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph and Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajarshi Raj. The campaign underscores the shared responsibility of citizens, service providers and law enforcement in ensuring women can travel safely and with confidence.

Rajarshi Raji said, "Women's safety is a collective responsibility that goes beyond the role of the police. When communities, technology partners, and law enforcement work together, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for women. Initiatives like this campaign help build confidence, enabling women to move freely for work, education and daily life."

Sudipta Sen, Senior Manager at Rapido Cabs, noted, "At Rapido, safety is not an add-on; it is the foundation of every ride. With 40% of cab users in Jaipur being women, our collaboration with Jaipur Police focuses on practical measures that can make every journey safer and more reassuring. By introducing dashcams, providing 24x7 support, and driving awareness campaigns, we are working to make mobility safer, inclusive and truly empowering for women. Our goal is to ensure that every woman in Jaipur should be able to travel with confidence and see mobility as a catalyst for her independence and participation in the city’s growth.”

The dashcams will supplement Rapido's existing safety features, which include an in-app SOS button, real-time ride tracking and a call-masking feature for female customers.