The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, has been a cornerstone of the Indian automotive industry's progress for nearly six decades. It has played a pivotal role in introducing sustainable and safer automotive technologies while supporting industry and government initiatives to elevate Indian standards to match global benchmarks.

Since its establishment on 10 December 1966, ARAI has transformed from a testing agency into a comprehensive research and technology deployment organisation. Today, it provides integrated services across three key domains: Research and Development (R&D), Certification and Skill Development.

On its 58th Annual Day, ARAI highlighted its contributions to the mobility sector, showcasing its role in promoting safety, innovation, and sustainability. Recent advancements include the launch of state-of-the-art facilities such as the Airbag Deployment Facility, Advanced Accelerated Sled, Advanced Photometry & Optics Laboratory and the Advanced Noise Vibration & Harshness Developmental Centre.

The institution is also equipped with world-class facilities to evaluate vehicle safety under New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) protocols, aligning Indian standards with global benchmarks.

The upcoming Mobility Research Centre (MRC) in Takwe aims to further enhance ARAI’s capabilities. Proposed facilities include an ADAS Smart City Test Track, Cylinder Test and Certification Centre, Hydrogen Test Facility, and a High Energy Impact Test (HEIT) Facility, which will be the first of its kind in India and Asia, accredited to ISO 17025. Additionally, the MRC will empower local cylinder manufacturers to test products domestically, supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. At ARAI’s Chakan Centre, an Advanced Battery Safety Testing Facility is being established to ensure compliance with evolving safety standards for electric vehicles in India.

In recent years, ARAI has undertaken a variety of R&D projects in emerging areas such as electric vehicles, autonomous driving and advanced engine development. Key projects include:

• AC/DC Charging Stations and LEV AC Charge Points
• Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS)
• Battery Management Systems
• Drive-by-wire Platforms
• Advanced engines such as a 600 hp unit and BS-VI-compliant HCV CNG engines
• Lightweight aluminum extrusion profiles
• Ergonomic dummy kinematics assessment under the SIZE India project
• Hydrogen PEM-based electric three-wheelers for extended range

To support alternative energy solutions, ARAI has established an Alternate Fuel Centre, focusing on fuels such as methanol, hydrogen, HCNG, ethanol, LNG, biodiesel and bio-CNG, among others.

Dr. Reji Mathai, Director of ARAI, commented, “At ARAI, our continuous focus is on addressing the evolving needs of the automotive industry. Transformation has been the cornerstone of ARAI’s journey. Beyond the automotive sector, we are expanding our services to aerospace and railways. Platforms like TechNovuss, ARAI-AMTIF (a Section 8 company), and our Technical Support Cell provide vital support to MSMEs and startups. Skill development is a key priority for us, with ARAI Academy offering diverse programs for students and professionals. Through flagship events like SIAT and initiatives like Mobility Hackathons and BAJA, we aim to foster innovation and disseminate research knowledge.”

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BYD has updated its warranty terms for the Blade Battery in Europe, increasing the mileage limit to 250,000km while maintaining the 8-year duration. The extension applies to both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and Super Hybrids and includes a guaranteed State of Health (SOH) of at least 70 percent. This change is retroactive, covering existing owners alongside new customers.

The Blade Battery utilises lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which avoids the use of nickel and cobalt. Its design allows cells to act as structural elements, increasing the vehicle's torsional rigidity. This configuration reduces the volume occupied by the battery by 50 percent compared to traditional designs, intended to optimise interior space.

The battery has undergone testing, including nail penetration, where surface temperatures remained below 60deg Celsius. It has also been subjected to overcharge tests, oven tests at 300deg Celsius, and crush evaluations. According to BYD, the battery can exceed 3,000 charge and discharge cycles, indicating a service life of approximately 1.2 million kilometres.

Current models utilising this technology include the BYD SEAL, which reports a range of 570km on the combined cycle and the BYD SEALION 7, capable of DC charging from 30 percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes at a power of 230 kW.

Under the new terms, the specific battery cover sits alongside the standard vehicle warranty of six years or 150,000km. The electric drive unit remains covered for eight years or 150,000km, while the anti-perforation warranty continues at 12 years with unlimited mileage. The extension is designed to address user confidence regarding the longevity of energy storage systems in the European market.

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Suzuki R&D Center India (SRDI), a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, has launched the Suzuki e-Micromobility Innovation Lab for Ecosystem (SMILE). Located within the International Automobile Center of Excellence (iACE) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the facility functions as a platform to develop Versatile micro e-Mobility (VmeM) solutions.

The laboratory connects technology from Japan with ideas from Indian startups and component manufacturers. The objective is to design mobility systems from a customer perspective and strengthen co-creation within the Indian ecosystem. The VmeM platform, previously announced in Japan as MITRA, was showcased during the Vibrant Gujarat event in Rajkot on 11-12 January before the opening ceremony on 13 January.

SMILE operates within iACE, an institution founded in 2015 by the Government of Gujarat and Maruti Suzuki India. The centre focuses on training and skill development, having provided education to over 10,000 individuals in automotive engineering and mobility systems. The establishment of SMILE follows a memorandum of understanding signed between iACE and SRDI in December 2024.

The lab intends to integrate vehicle manufacturing with technology from the startup sector to address infrastructure needs. Target applications include warehousing, air cargo, manufacturing plants, agriculture, and municipal services.

Katsuhiro Kato, Director and Executive Vice-President, Suzuki Motor Corporation, said, “We are pleased to see the VmeM, designed and developed by Suzuki, introduced in India through Suzuki R&D Center India. The VmeM platform represents Suzuki’s commitment to evolving future mobility. With the launch of SMILE at iACE, we will work closely with Indian industry, startups and government stakeholders to drive co-creation on valuable mobility solutions that support growth and sustainability. We also aim to serve the role as a key base for the global deployment of the VmeM platform by promoting continuous technological development.”

The initiative positions Gujarat as a base for the global deployment of the VmeM platform through ongoing technological development and stakeholder collaboration.

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Steelbird Hi-Tech India, one of the largest helmet and two-wheeler accessories brands, has launched Base X, a smart riding technology integrated into the Steelbird Fighter helmet range. The system is designed to provide connectivity and control for riders while maintaining a focus on safety standards.

The Base X system features a magnetic lock that serves as a power control, activating the device when the buckle is secured and switching it off when removed. The technology includes hands-free music control for track navigation and volume adjustment. It also integrates with voice assistants, allowing users to activate Google Assistant or Siri via a button on the helmet.

The technology offers three riding modes – Glide, Beast and Relax – which can be toggled using a dedicated button. For visibility, the system includes customisable rear indicator lights. The unit is powered via a Type-C charging port and provides up to 48 hours of playback.

The Fighter helmet housing this technology uses a high-impact shell design and a ventilation system. The product is priced at INR 5,999, aiming to make smart features accessible within the Indian market.

Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director, Steelbird Hi-Tech India, said, “Riding today is not just about reaching a destination — it’s about the experience along the way. With Base X, Steelbird is introducing a new era of smart riding technology that allows riders to control essential functions effortlessly while staying focused on the road. This innovation reflects our vision of blending safety, comfort, and technology into every ride.”

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SiMa.ai and Kaynes Semicon have announced a strategic partnership to develop hardware and software for physical AI. The collaboration focuses on localising semiconductor packaging in India to improve supply-chain resilience and market delivery times.

The partners will deliver electronic systems for industries including industrial automation, robotics, automotive, aerospace and defence. Kaynes Semicon will utilise its assembly and testing capabilities to produce reference boards for SiMa.ai’s machine learning system-on-chip (MLSoC) platforms. This hardware is intended to allow system integrators to deploy AI inference technology at the edge and move from proof-of-concept to commercialisation.

The partnership includes the joint delivery of AI solutions for mission-critical requirements in smart vision, surveillance, and autonomous systems. This initiative supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by fostering research, development and custom product innovation for strategic sectors in India.

Krishna Rangasayee, CEO and Founder, SiMa.ai, said, “India’s engineering talent and manufacturing scale are fundamental to our mission of democratising edge machine learning. This partnership with Kaynes Semicon aligns perfectly with SiMa.ai’s commitment to deliver effortless ML for every industry, from defence to industrial automation and beyond. Together, we are setting new benchmarks in making India a global force in physical AI".

Raghu Panicker, CEO, Kaynes Semicon, added, “Collaborating with SiMa.ai marks a significant leap forward for India’s semiconductor ecosystem. By fusing Kaynes’ advanced OSAT and manufacturing capabilities with SiMa.ai’s world-leading AI at the edge, we’re empowering critical industries to innovate at scale. This partnership is not just about technology – it’s about building a trusted supply chain, delivering value for our customers, and shaping the future of electronics manufacturing in India and worldwide”.

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