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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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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Bengaluru-headquartered ER&D company L&T Technology Services (LTTS) has announced a multi-year engagement within its mobility segment from an automotive manufacturer. The agreement involves software, connectivity and digital engineering services across vehicle technology domains. This win follows the company’s investments in R&D labs and mobility infrastructure designed for programs with global manufacturers.

The engagement covers mobility engineering capabilities, including embedded systems, digital platforms, verification and validation, cloud integration and cybersecurity. LTTS intends to use its engineering expertise and delivery frameworks to support the customer's technology roadmap. 

At present, LTTS operates 22 design centres and 100 innovation labs globally.

The agreement strengthens the partnership between LTTS and the automotive manufacturer in the area of mobility engineering. The company provides design, development, and testing services across the mobility, sustainability, and tech segments. 

Alind Saxena, Executive Director and President, Mobility and Tech at L&T Technology Services, said, “We are proud to deepen our partnership with the valued customer through this strategic engagement. LTTS brings together domain-led engineering, secure development practices and excellence in global delivery to accelerate the future of premium mobility. The win reflects the trust placed in our teams and our commitment to delivering world-class engineering at scale”.

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