Introducing significant advancement in automotive semiconductor technology at the recent Snapdragon Summit 2024 with a focus on improving the cockpit and ADAS experience, Qualcomm has reported strong growth in its automotive revenue in the current calendar year. 
The growth story at Nvidia – with a lucrative detour into AI – is indicative of the developments in autonomous vehicle technologies.  
The tech major may not enjoy the popularity or acceptance that Qualcomm has come to command, the fact is, both are seeking an innovative approach to automobiles as their users seek new and exciting features. 
While legacy automotive tier 1 suppliers like Schaeffler, Bosch and others facing the challenge of sluggish demand, the system-to-chip (SoC) technology companies like Qualcomm and Nvidia are engineering a different dimension to the art of automobile design, development and manufacture.  
Enjoying an EBITDA margin of around 30 percent as compared to the five percent EBITDA margin roughly of tier 1 automotive suppliers, Qualcomm and Nvidia are driving the age of software defined vehicles that are already calling for engineers with a deeper understanding of software. 
C++ or Autosar may be the language most automotive software programmes use as the basis, from a features or convenience point of view, even the presence of rain sensing wipers or an air-con that can be switched on or off with a voice command are fast gaining prominence among automotive buyers as they seek a different level of emotion connection with their set of wheels. 
From a vehicle architecture point of view, please consider the Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis. It has evolved with the introduction of the Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite platforms on the hardware side. 
Aiding faster computing speeds, both the platforms feature the Oryon CPU. This CPU has been optimised for automotive safety standards and designed for 3x faster CPU performance than previous generations, according to Qualcomm sources.  
Aiding to enhance in-vehicle digital experiences by integrating advanced infotainment with autonomous driving capabilities on a single chip, developments like this mark an interesting milestone in the world of automobiles. 
An important milestone will be the plan by Qualcomm to introduce lower-tier versions of these platforms to broaden their applications, enabling automakers to develop cost-effective solutions across various market segments. 
The Cockpit Elite and Ride Elite SoCs are expected to be available to manufacturers starting in 2025, with early adopters such as Mercedes-Benz and Li Auto planning to integrate these technologies into their upcoming models. 
The first vehicles using these platforms are expected to be available by 2026 in China. Releases in other markets in the world will soon follow. 
Talking about Nvidia's lucrative detour into AI, Ola Electric has developed an Ola Digital Twin platform on NVIDIA Omniverse that is helping it to achieve 20 percent faster time-to-market – from design to commissioning for its manufacturing operations.
Built on NVIDIA Isaac Sim, the Ola Digital Twin platform taps into core Omniverse technologies like OpenUSD for data interoperability, RTX for physically-based rendering, and generative AI for accelerated world building to generate synthetic data or training autonomous mobile robots and robotic arms.
Consulting leaders such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tech Mahindra are developing industrial AI applications and services on Omniverse to help manufacturers develop digital twins for accelerated factory planning, optimised processes, robotics training and large-scale automation, according to an industry source aware of the new developments in AI and industrial automation.

Edge AI and software virtualisation
At Snapdragon Summit 2024, Qualcomm emphasised the benefits of edge AI over traditional cloud-based solutions, particularly in terms of privacy and latency. 
By processing data locally within the vehicle, edge AI enhances data security and ensures that sensitive information remains protected. Recent advancements in AI models, such as Llama 3.0, illustrate that edge AI can deliver strong performance while reducing memory requirements, which may lead to cost savings for manufacturers.
Interesting, use cases covering nearly every aspect of heavy manufacturing — from building virtual factories for real-time factory planning and monitoring, to creating digital twins of aircraft components for immersive training and predictive maintenance, Nvidia’s Omniverse is being used to simulate autonomous vehicles; to enable automotive companies to simulate and validate complex driving scenarios without the need for physical testing. 

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South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution has commenced operations at its 226-acre manufacturing facility in Lansing, Michigan. The site represents an investment exceeding USD 2 billion since 2022 and targets an annual production capacity of over 35 GWh at full scale.

The site produces lithium-iron phosphate battery cells for energy storage systems alongside nickel-manganese-cobalt cells for electric vehicles. The energy storage cells will be integrated by LG Energy Solution Vertech into equipment for grid and industrial uses, with energy supplier DTE Energy designated among the utility customers. The vehicle battery lines will supply nickel-manganese-cobalt cells to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky for installation in the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV.

The Lansing site currently employs 900 people, with headcount projected to reach 1,700 at capacity. The facility joins an existing manufacturing site in Holland, Michigan, as well as an engineering centre in Troy, bringing the company's total investment in the state to over USD 5 billion since 2010. The company plans to establish over 50 GWh of lithium-iron phosphate cell production capacity across North America across five operating and joint-venture plants.

Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, said, “Michigan is open for business and creating good-paying jobs building the future of cars, chips, and batteries. LG Energy Solution has called Michigan home for more than 20 years, and we’re proud to see that investment continue with the start of production at its Lansing facility. This project will create up to 1,700 good-paying jobs, helping more working families make it in Michigan. It’s part of our historic work to invest in clean energy, electric vehicle manufacturing, and battery storage in communities across Michigan. Let’s keep working together to grow Michigan’s economy, create opportunity, and build a bright future for our state.”

Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, stated, “Domestic battery production is foundational to America’s energy future – reducing dependence on foreign adversaries, driving good-paying American jobs and advancing the American Energy Dominance Agenda. Michigan is uniquely positioned to help lead this effort with its skilled workforce, manufacturing expertise and the industrial capabilities needed to strengthen America’s domestic battery supply chain. The Trump administration is thrilled to see these vital manufacturing jobs returning to the U.S. and remains committed to ensuring we have the capabilities to build the technologies of the future here at home.”

Sangwoo Hong, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago, said, “The Korea-U.S. alliance has evolved into a comprehensive strategic alliance including economic cooperation and cutting-edge technology. Today’s opening is a key milestone. The battery industry sits right at the heart of our shared strategic priorities. Michigan is a prime example of this strategic partnership. LG Energy Solution is expanding its presence across the United States. By growing from Holland to this new facility in Lansing, LG Energy Solution is solidifying Michigan’s position as a global hub for battery manufacturing.”

David Kim, CEO, LG Energy Solution, said, “Today marks a defining milestone for LG Energy Solution. Lansing will produce advanced batteries that support not only the future of mobility, but also America’s growing energy infrastructure and digital economy. We are strengthening America’s battery ecosystem, expanding our manufacturing footprint and reaffirming our long-term commitment to the United States.”

Dae-sik Choi, President, LG Energy Solution Michigan, said, “The state’s skilled workforce is a great fit for our high impact industry, and we expect to continue our partnership with Michigan well into the 21st century. The jobs at this facility pay well, offer great benefits and require creativity and problem solving at all levels. Unlike many other high-tech industries, battery making creates jobs for everyone, from hourly workers to advanced degree holders.”

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Epsilon Advanced Materials has received government approval for its Epsilon C2GR anode material project under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, administered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

The scheme provides INR 1.45 billion in capital expenditure support, representing 25 percent of the project's capital investment. Epsilon stands as the single manufacturer approved for anode material production in this evaluation round. Across all product categories, the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme has cleared 106 projects representing INR 695.48 billion in total investment.

The sanctioned project focuses on establishing domestic production of graphite anode materials for lithium-ion battery cells used in electric mobility, energy storage systems, and consumer electronics. Epsilon has operationalised a customer qualification facility, EAM-ONE, located in Vijayanagar, Karnataka. The company plans to scale graphite anode manufacturing capacity to 30,000 tonnes per annum by 2028, with a targeted extension to 100,000 tonnes in a subsequent phase.

Vikram Handa, Managing Director, Epsilon Group, said, “The project approval under ECMS is an important recognition of Epsilon’s efforts to develop indigenous graphite anode technology and manufacturing capabilities in India. Building a resilient battery ecosystem requires ownership of technology, intellectual property, R&D and process know-how. This support will help accelerate our scale-up and strengthen India’s domestic battery materials value chain. We remain committed to contributing to the Government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by building globally competitive critical battery materials from India.”

Epsilon's research framework incorporates testing across coin-cell, pouch-cell, and multi-layer pouch-cell formats to facilitate material customisation. The company holds 43 patent filings covering process, product, and equipment technologies, with plans for 50 additional intellectual property filings through 2030 to support domestic supply chain integration.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has concluded Environment Month 2026, an initiative focused on resource recycling and emissions reductions across its supply chain.

The programme involved over 13,600 workforce members, suppliers, dealership partners and community members under the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 framework.

The company recorded a reduction of 3,005-tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions, with internal operations contributing 895 tonnes and supply partners accounting for 2,110 tonnes. Water conservation efforts yielded savings of 16,806 kilolitres across operations and suppliers. Waste reduction measures removed 231 tonnes of material from disposal streams, alongside reductions in plastic and paper usage across the dealership network. In addition, manufacturing updates reduced volatile organic compound emissions by 3.19 grams per square metre, while dealership locations recorded 255 megawatt-hours in electricity savings.

The automaker introduced compressed biogas as a fuel source for cooking facilities, yielding an estimated reduction of 980 tonnes in carbon emissions. Internal programmes included eco-driving sessions for 1,700 employees, community tree planting projects resulting in 89,000 saplings and the ‘Hasiru Santhe’ exhibition showcasing recycling applications such as converting cotton waste into felt and copper scrap into valve components.

B. Padmanabha, Senior Executive Vice-President and Director of Manufacturing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, "Environment Month 2026 demonstrated that sustainability thrives through collective action and shared responsibility across the entire value chain. The measurable outcomes we achieved—from carbon reductions to waste elimination—prove that when employees, families, suppliers, and communities align around environmental commitment, transformation is possible. This month was not just about awareness; it was about embedding circular thinking and resource consciousness into how we operate and live."

The initiative forms part of the automaker's ongoing environmental programmes, including the Toyota Green Wave Project, which monitors plant and animal species at company sites and the Ecozone educational programme for schools.

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JSW Greentech, the electric commercial vehicle division of JSW Group, has selected software company Dassault Systemes to implement a manufacturing execution system at its production facility in India.

The company will deploy Dassault Systemes’ DELMIA Apriso applications to build a digital platform across the plant floor. The system will manage operations for JSW Greentech's line of electric trucks and buses from the start of production.

Headquartered in Mumbai, JSW Greentech is establishing technology development and manufacturing capacity within India's commercial vehicle sector. The deployment of the manufacturing execution system aims to standardise operations management by connecting production execution directly with quality control and material tracking.

Sumit Mittal, Chief Executive Officer, JSW Greentech, said, “As we build a state-of-the-art commercial EV manufacturing facility, it is imperative that we complement it with equally advanced technology systems. Our partnership with Dassault Systèmes and its MES platform brings global expertise and digital capabilities to our manufacturing ecosystem. Together, this will enable us to create a smart, connected and future-ready operating environment, setting a new benchmark for technology-led manufacturing in India’s commercial vehicle industry.”

Deepak NG, Managing Director for India, Dassault Systemes, said, “In India, considering the pace at which the market is moving, it is equally important that we address sustainability during production. Leveraging Dassault Systèmes' systems like DELMIA Apriso is further strengthening our commitment toward technology adoption and sustainable manufacturing standards. The future of sustainable mobility in India depends on how efficiently we can scale clean transportation. By building its production around a connected digital backbone from day one, JSW Greentech is driving this transition. This collaboration underscores Dassault Systèmes' commitment to empowering India's EV ecosystem with virtual twin technology to accelerate innovation, manufacturing excellence, and sustainable growth.”

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