The VLSI Society of India (VSI) officially inaugurated the 38th edition of International Conference on VLSI Design & 24th International Conference on Embedded Systems on 6 January 2025 at The Leela Palace, Bengaluru.

With the theme ‘Silicon Meets AI: Sustainable Innovations in Accelerated Computing, Secure Connectivity & Intelligent Mobility’, the inaugural ceremony got off to a great start. The ceremony was addressed by Dr Chris Miller, Professor at Tufts University and author of Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology, who also highlighted the major points concerning the industry in a ‘Chip-Pe-Charcha’ session which was moderated by Dr Satya Gupta, President, VSI. The event highlighted the vital role that VLSI and Embedded Systems play in advancing revolutionary developments in AI/ML, 5G, IoT, quantum computing, and electric vehicles. With over 2,700 registrants, 18 keynote speakers, 32 tutorials, 74 papers, five expert panels, 16 user design sessions, more than 50 exhibits, 13 industry forum sessions, 15 design contest finalists and more than 30 sponsors, the esteemed symposium reaffirmed its status as a premier worldwide event at VLSID 2025.

Dr Satya Gupta, President VLSI Society of India, said, “The VLSID 2025 conference is a remarkable convergence of global talent and innovation. It provides a unique opportunity to address the complex challenges of tomorrow while fostering collaboration across the semiconductor and AI ecosystems. The world is watching India making great tech strides in semiconductors. This conference puts another spotlight on India.”

Patrick Johnson, Senior Corporate Vice President, Microchip Technology and an executive chair of the VLSI Design Conference, said, “The integration of Silicon and AI has unlocked unprecedented opportunities. VLSID 2025 is the ideal platform to explore how these advancements can redefine mobility, connectivity and computing.”

Sandeep Bharathi, Chief Development Officer, Marvell Technology, said, “With the emerging semiconductor ecosystem across Design and Manufacturing, AI and ML are going to be essential to speed up learning and integrating processes to strengthen the ecosystem. AI and ML are not just disrupting the semiconductor design ecosystem – they're redefining its very fabric, empowering innovators to dream bigger and push the boundaries of what's possible. We are glad that we could provide an ideal platform at VLSID 2025 to further explore how these advancements can redefine mobility, connectivity and give rise to a new generation of technological breakthroughs.”

Hitesh Garg, Vice President and India Managing Director, NXP Semiconductors, said, “The semiconductor industry's future growth and innovation rely heavily on a robust talent pipeline and a thriving startup ecosystem. Programmes that facilitate industry-academia exchanges, provide students and young professionals with hands-on training and mentorship that can foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and stay competitive in the global market. VLSID 2025 provides an excellent cross learning opportunity among industry participants, startup ecosystem and academia. It also enables students and researchers to present their ideas to industry veterans and address emerging challenges and capitalise on new opportunities.”

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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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