Volvo Group in India, Ericsson and Bharti Airtel have come together to explore the potential of Extended Reality (XR), digital twin technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in the manufacturing sector. The partnership aims to leverage 5G and 5G Advanced to transform industrial operations, improve workforce training and real-time process optimisation.

As per the understanding, the research will be conducted at the Volvo Group Factory and Volvo Group’s R&D Centre in Bengaluru. The facilities will explore industrial Metaverse applications including human and machine interaction and collaboration, which means a blend of physical and digital worlds. The idea is to enhance efficiency, foster innovation in manufacturing and real-time optimisation using AI technologies.

The partnership will leverage high-speed 5G network to test ‘what if’ scenarios and improve production workflow. They will also explore potential new revenue streams and business models for the telcos.

Kamal Bali, President & MD, Volvo Group India, said, “Our industry is undergoing a once in a lifetime transformation driven by the emerging trends across automation, connectivity and alternative energy carriers – tools which will be key in our ambitions to be net zero and shape a sustainable future for all. This transformation also includes the way we work and collaborate across our industrial and R&D sites. 5G, coupled with extended reality applications, will help foster innovation as well as collaboration between our sites and engineers, in real-time, through the power of connectivity & digitalization backed by advanced AI technologies.”

Sharat Sinha, Director & CEO, Airtel Business, said, “We are thrilled to leverage the capabilities of our advanced 5G network for innovative industrial applications in partnership with Ericsson and Volvo Group. Through this collaboration, our high-speed, low latency 5G network will redefine and transform the manufacturing sector by enabling real-time XR applications for enhanced productivity and efficiencies, unlocking new revenue streams and accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 applications.”

Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India, said, "As India embraces Industry 4.0, 5G will be a game-changer towards enabling intelligent, connected, and immersive industrial experiences. This collaboration with Airtel and Volvo Group underscores Ericsson’s commitment to driving innovation through 5G and extended reality. By combining our expertise in network technology with cutting-edge XR applications, we are creating an ecosystem that will help industries to transform manufacturing. The research insights will be instrumental in shaping the future of industrial digitalization, not just in India but globally."

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Pavna Industries, a leading automotive components supplier, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN) to set up a new manufacturing facility at the Future Mobility Park in Shoolagiri, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

The company shared that it has received full support from the government of Tamil Nadu for facilitating the timely and effective execution of the project.

Swapnil Jain, Managing Director, Pavna Industries, said, “We are proud to partner with the Government of Tamil Nadu for this project, which will generate employment, create new opportunities for local talent, and support the state’s thriving automotive ecosystem. This initiative is closely aligned with the Make in India vision and underscores Pavna Industries’ dedication to nation-building through world-class manufacturing. We value the support extended by the Government of Tamil Nadu in enabling this expansion.”

At present, the company has manufacturing plants in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Aurangabad, Maharashtra and Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, along with a new plant being constructed in Hosur, Tamil Nadu.

Pavna Industries’ diverse product portfolio includes ignition switches, latches, auto locks, fuel tank caps, switches, oil pumps, throttle bodies and casting components, among others. It serves both domestic and international markets, with exports to countries such as Italy, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Sudan, the U.S.A, and Bangladesh.

It counts the likes of Bajaj Auto, Kawasaki, Honda, TVS Motor Co, Mahindra & Mahindra, Royal Enfield, Ashok Leyland, Eicher Motors and several electric vehicle manufacturers like Revolt and Mahindra Electric, among others in its customer base.

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle manufacturer Ola Electric has achieved a major manufacturing milestone of rolling out its 1 millionth vehicle from its Futurefactory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu.

As part of the milestone, Ola Electric rolled out a special edition Roadster X+ in a midnight blue, with sporty red accents across dual-tone seat, rims and the battery pack.

It was in 2021 that Ola Electric started producing electric vehicles in the country, and the achievement comes within four years of the company’s operations.

 “This marks the celebration of every Indian who trusted us and believed in our mission. In four years, we’ve gone from an idea to becoming India’s EV two-wheeler leader. We built at scale and proved that world-class products can be designed, engineered, and manufactured right here in India. This milestone is a testament to how far we’ve come, and we’re just getting started! Our mission is clear: #EndICEAge and make India the global EV hub,” said an Ola Electric spokesperson.

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Pune-headquartered automotive company Kinetic Engineering has inaugurated its new Robotic Chassis Line at its plant in Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra. This upgrade is part of a series of changes to improve the company's production capabilities.

The new line uses robots for welding and has a specific cell for the Kinetic DX EV e-scooter frames, clamping auto fixtures. This system is designed to provide consistency and accuracy. The facility's metal body panel line has also been upgraded with hydraulic and mechanical presses, as well as spot welding equipment.

The company's paint shop now uses a seven-tank process that includes a CED coating and a metallic topcoat for better protection and finish. A new store for frame parts has also been set up with quality control systems to manage inventory and supply parts to the assembly line.

Ajinkya Firodia, MD, Kinetic Engineering, said, “The future of manufacturing belongs to companies that can seamlessly integrate automation, precision and sustainability into their processes. With the inauguration of our robotic chassis line, we are not just upgrading a facility, we are reimagining how manufacturing should be done in India. This move positions us to deliver unmatched consistency and reliability, while also setting a benchmark for how automation can transform traditional industries. At Kinetic, we see this as part of a larger shift where Indian manufacturing stands shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.”

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Mukand Sumi Special Steel (MSSSL), a joint venture between India’s Bajaj Group and Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation, has announced a major expansion with the construction of a new integrated steelmaking facility in Kanakapura, Koppal, Karnataka.

The new greenfield plant will boost MSSSL's production capacity to 700,000 tonnes per annum, making it one of India's leading special steel manufacturers. The project, which is currently awaiting environmental clearances, involves a capital investment of INR 23.45 billion, or around EUR 234 million.

The expansion is driven by the increasing demand for high-quality special steel in India's industrial, energy, and automotive sectors, supported by government initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and strong economic growth. Since its inception in 2018, MSSSL has produced approximately 350,000 tonnes of special steel products annually, primarily for the automobile and engineering markets.

The new facility is designed with sustainability as a priority, adopting a Zero Liquid, Solid and Gaseous Discharge Model. It aims to source over 95 percent of its energy from renewables and is a crucial step towards the company's goal of achieving net-zero steel manufacturing by 2050. Future phases will incorporate hydrogen-ready infrastructure and carbon capture technologies.

Vipul Mashruwala, President, MSSSL, said, "This expansion marks a significant milestone in our long-term growth roadmap. Guided by the forward-looking vision of our Chairman, Niraj Bajaj, we are investing in sustainable and future-ready technologies that will strengthen our position in the global special steel market."

He added that the new facility will allow them to ‘serve growing demand with greater efficiency, quality, and environmental responsibility.’

The new plant is expected to begin operations by early 2028 and will include iron making, steel making, and blooming mill facilities with an initial capacity of 0.35 million tonnes per annum. The investment will also focus on integrating automation and digital technologies to ensure consistent product quality and optimised energy use.

The expansion will enable MSSSL to focus on critical applications in the automotive, railway, oil and gas, energy and bearing steel sectors, aligning with India’s ‘Industry 4.0’ initiative.

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