Ansys Software Private Limited, a leading engineering simulation software company, has opened its newest high-performance computing (HPC) data centre, DC-3, at its Pune office. With this launch, Ansys Pune now operates three on-premises data centres equipped with advanced HPC cluster facilities.

The inauguration was done by Neeraj Mathur and Ulkesh Desai, President and Vice President of Space Society of Mechanical Engineers (SSME), SAC-ISRO. This facility is expected to enable advanced technical simulations, boost Ansys' computing capabilities and spur innovation while advancing India's technological development and Ansys' worldwide operations. It will also be crucial in bolstering the business's capacity to cater to clients in industries like healthcare, aerospace and automobiles.

Ansys' newest data centre, DC-3, expands its HPC infrastructure by complementing the existing DC-2 and DC-2, which are now running at full capacity with over 8,000 cores. It is designed to accommodate over 10,000 cores. An initial expenditure of over INR 200 million has been undertaken to install 1,700 cores. Future goals include increasing GPU capability to accommodate GPU simulations, which aligns with Ansys' intentional move of Fluent, their CFD program, to native GPU technology. The business has installed around 70 GPU cores to facilitate GPU simulations, with plans to extend this capability in future phases.

Neeraj Mathur, President, Space Society of Mechanical Engineers (SSME), SAC-ISRO, said, "HPC is at the core of present-day innovations, particularly in areas like aerospace and simulation-driven engineering. It is promising to see Ansys’ sustained investment in India’s HPC infrastructure, and it will play an important role in empowering engineers and researchers of the country to solve today’s increasingly complex engineering challenges. In addition, this will also enhance the country's technological advancement."

Ulkesh Desai, Vice President, Space Society of Mechanical Engineers (SSME), SAC-ISRO, said, "Focused on GPU technology, DC-3 is poised to push innovation while staying ahead of emerging technology trends. It will play a significant role in both driving groundbreaking innovation and aligning with today’s changing landscape of emerging technologies. This launch by Ansys also emphasises how the company is creating a platform for future exploration and discovery.

Mike Yeager, Area Vice President, India and Japan, Ansys, said, "The launch of DC-3 in Pune further highlights Ansys’ commitment to cultivating innovation through advanced, state-of-the-art technology. This expansion is not just about increasing computational power, but it is also about enabling Ansys’ teams and customers to push the boundaries of the possibilities in engineering simulation. We are also very excited to see how DC-3 will accelerate simulations, particularly with the integration of GPU technology, and empower our engineers to explore new frontiers in product development."

Murali Pullela, Director of Sales, Ansys, added, "Over the years, Ansys has always been dedicated to empowering our customers with cutting-edge simulation technology. The DC-3 launch in Pune will further this by leveraging the immense capabilities of GPU technology as it will enable faster, more accurate simulations. This launch highlights Ansys’ pledge to deliver the best-in-class solutions.”

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Chinese technology company Pony.ai has announced that the first mass-produced bZ4X Robotaxi, developed in partnership with Toyota, has rolled off the production line. This marks the transition to scaled production and commercial deployment for the collaboration.

The partners plan to produce over 1,000 bZ4X units in 2026. These vehicles will be introduced into commercial services across Tier 1 cities in China, supporting Pony.ai's objective to expand its fleet to over 3,000 vehicles by the end of the year.

The bZ4X Robotaxi is equipped with Pony.ai’s seventh-generation (Gen-7) autonomous driving system. Key features of the hardware include:

• Automotive-Grade Components: 100 percent of the core components meet automotive standards.
• Cost Efficiency: The bill of materials (BOM) cost for the autonomous driving kit has been reduced by 70 percent compared to the previous generation.
• User Features: The system includes Bluetooth unlocking, in-cabin voice interaction, and climate control, with software tuning to reduce motion sickness through refined acceleration and braking.

The vehicle was developed by Pony.ai, Toyota Motor China and GAC Toyota, with production managed by GAC Toyota. The assembly process integrates the Toyota Production System (TPS) and adheres to Toyota’s Quality, Durability and Reliability (QDR) principles. Dedicated systems for quality and safety management have been established to support large-scale operations.

The collaboration between Pony.ai and Toyota began in 2019. Since then, the companies have established a joint venture focused on Robotaxi design and manufacturing. This milestone follows the launch of other Gen-7 models that entered commercial service in November last year.

The partners stated that this production milestone demonstrates a pathway for autonomous technology to move from limited validation to mass production.

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IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP) and Unicorn India Ventures have partnered to launch an INR 6 billion fund christened - IITM Unicorn Frontier Fund I - dedicated to deep tech startups. The initiative includes an additional INR 4 billion greenshoe option, bringing the total potential corpus to INR 10 billion.

Unicorn India Ventures will act as the fund manager, with the fund aimed to build a portfolio of over 25 companies involved in intellectual property (IP)-led and engineering-heavy sectors, including robotics, space technology, defence, semiconductors and medical technology.

The fund will employ a multi-stage investment approach based on Technology Readiness Levels (TRL):

• Early Stage (TRL 3–4): Initial investments of INR 80 million to INR 100 million to assist innovations through commercialisation hurdles.
• Early Mid-Stage (TRL 5–7): Follow-on capital to support the development of technologies with proven concepts.
• Early Late-Stage (TRL 7–9): Support for companies with proven product technology requiring scale-up and market penetration.

To manage the long gestation periods associated with deep tech, 60 percent of the corpus is allocated for the initial portfolio, while 40 percent is reserved for follow-on rounds to provide patient capital.

Dr Kamakoti Veezhinathan, Director of IIT Madras, said, “Science and technology will play a crucial role in the growth story and towards India becoming Viksit Bharat 2047, focusing on technology sovereignty, AI, semiconductors, defencetech and quantum technology. The need of the hour to reduce reliance on technology imports and strengthen indigenous capabilities. IIT Madras has been in forefront of this wave for over a decade and this Fund is the next logical step for us.”

Natarajan Malupillai, Group CEO of IITM Research Park, added, “India’s deep-tech ecosystem is at a pivotal moment, driven by supportive policies, sustained R&D investments, and a strong entrepreneurial aspiration among our youth. This fund will accelerate the scale-up of mission-driven, globally competitive startups while strengthening India’s culture of innovation & entrepreneurship. We are pleased to partner with Unicorn India Ventures to advance India’s deep-tech leadership—imagining, designing, and building in India for the world.”

Bhaskar Majumdar, Managing Partner of Unicorn India Ventures, said, “It is an honour to be selected by IITM & IITMRP, which have been the backbone of deep tech innovation in India. With our proven understanding of deep tech, we believe we have the resources and the network to support early-stage deep tech companies. As an active deep tech investor, we have already built a portfolio of nearly 30 companies and this new fund in partnership with IITMRP comes at the right time as we have met numerous innovative deep tech companies in the last 2 years.”

A portion of the portfolio will be sourced from the IIT Madras ecosystem, with the remainder selected from the broader Indian deep tech landscape. The fund manager will raise the corpus from IIT Madras alumni and a network of limited partners, including family offices, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and institutions.

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German tier 1 supplier ZF Friedrichshafen and the BMW Group have entered into a long-term supply agreement for passenger car drive systems. The contract, valued at several billion euros, extends until the late 2030s.

The agreement focuses on the supply and continued development of the 8-speed automatic transmission (8HP). The partners aim to support low-emission mobility and maintain technological flexibility during the industry transition.

A central component of the partnership is the technical evolution of the 8HP transmission kit to meet the requirements of electrified drives. The development will focus on increasing efficiency and performance for future vehicle concepts.

Mathias Miedreich, CEO of ZF, said, “Together with BMW, we are sending a strong signal for innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in an industry undergoing dynamic change. This agreement highlights the strategic importance of our 8-speed automatic transmission as a key technology for the transformation of drive systems.”

The duration of the contract provides both ZF and BMW with planning stability in a changing market. ZF aims to strengthen its position as a system supplier while reducing risks through close collaboration with the carmaker.

Sebastian Schmitt, Head of ZF's Electrified Drive Technologies division, explained, “The new agreement with BMW shows how important long-term planning horizons are for technological advancements. It creates clarity and stability for both companies and enables us to align the next generation of the 8HP specifically toward efficiency, performance, and long-term viability.”

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Aumovio has entered a supply agreement with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor to provide safety components for the carmaker’s B and C platforms.

Several models within Leapmotor’s B platform now utilise Aumovio's long-range radar, electric parking brake and airbag control unit (ACU). Models on the C platform, including the C10, C11 and C16 SUVs, feature the latest generation of the MK C2 one-box brake system, alongside the long-range radar and ACU.

The project was completed with a development cycle approximately one-third shorter than traditional automotive timelines. Aumovio attributed its speed to ‘local-for-local’ strategy in China, where the company operates 20 sites and employs around 10,000 staff. In 2024, Aumovio held a 14 percent share of market revenue in the region.

The supplied technologies include:

• MK C2 Brake System: A unit combining the master cylinder, electronic brake system, and brake booster. It is produced locally in Shanghai.
• Long-Range Radar: A sensor with a detection range of up to 280 metres, used for driver assistance across both platforms.
• Airbag Control Unit (ACU): Integrated with crash satellite sensors, these components are manufactured in Changchun.

Boris Mergell, Head of the Safety and Motion business area at Aumovio, said, “Pairing ‘China speed’ with ‘German quality’ technologies helped us to support a rapid roll-out with our latest safety technologies. This underscores Aumovio’s course towards an adaptive powerhouse that works flexibly and closely with customers to innovate. It also shows that we continue to strengthen our customer relationships in the important market China.”

The partnership supports Leapmotor’s international presence. The B10 and B05 models, which feature Aumovio's ACU and radar technology, were showcased at the IAA 2025 in Munich as part of the manufacturer's European entry.

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