The Autonomous BAJA SAEINDIA 2024 (aBAJA) kicked off with great fanfare, marking the first day of the one-of-a-kind student competition centred on autonomous all-terrain vehicles (AATV).

This 3-day competition (from 4 to 6 October 2024) is hosted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune, and marks a milestone for BAJA SAEINDIA as autonomous vehicle technology was introduced to the engineering competition. Five teams from throughout the country compete in the event, each of which must complete a unique set of tasks meant to evaluate the performance of their vehicles and teamwork.

Pre-event preparation tests were carried out at ARAI, Kothrud, Pune, from 30 September to 3 October, in the run-up to the tournament. Among these were comprehensive technical examinations, in which vehicles' electrical, mechanical and autonomous systems were carefully assessed to make sure they complied with competition regulations. Assessments of team preparedness and safety briefings were also conducted. To help teams test and improve their autonomous vehicles and make sure they matched the competition's rigorous requirements, trial run tracks were built up for the dynamic events such as Object Detection, Classification and Tracking (ODCT) and Remote Driving System (RDS).

On the first day, static events like the design evaluation and business presentation took main stage. These occasions gave the teams a chance to showcase their creative approaches and intricate designs, emphasising the intricacy and foresight required to create autonomous systems. Teams will test their vehicles' capabilities in real-world scenarios on the second day, which is expected to feature exciting activities that highlight engineering ingenuity and expertise.

Highlighting the significance of hosting the event at ARAI during the welcome address on behalf of ARAI, Ujjwala Karle, Joint Convener, Phase 3 of aBAJA SAEINDIA 2024 & Deputy Director, Technology Group, ARAI, said, “It is an honour for ARAI to host Phase 3 of aBAJA SAEINDIA 2024. This event highlights our commitment to bridging academia and industry. It is inspiring to witness students exhibit the passion and boldness necessary to tackle the complexities of the automotive landscape. BAJA SAEINDIA serves as a vital ‘Introduction to Industry’ (i2i), providing hands-on experience with real-world challenges. Furthermore, initiatives like the iNTELLIMOBILITY Ideathon empower participants to address pressing mobility issues with innovative solutions. We at ARAI are proud to support BAJA SAEINDIA and wish all participants great success in this year’s event.”

Emphasising the importance of technological innovation in shaping the future of mobility, the Chief Guest for the event, Umesh Shah, Managing Director, Autoliv, said, “aBAJA represents a confluence of creativity, engineering, and technology. It is through such initiatives that we inspire the next generation to think beyond conventional solutions and tackle real-world problems with courage and a spirit of innovation. I congratulate the participants for taking up this challenge and encourage them to bring forward their passion and ideas that will shape the mobility landscape in India and beyond. The efforts of the organising committee and all those involved in this competition are commendable. Their dedication ensures that aBAJA continues to be a platform where emerging engineers are not only tested but also encouraged to innovate and grow. I wish all the participants the very best in their endeavours and extend my best wishes to BAJA SAEINDIA as they continue to break new ground with aBAJA SAEINDIA 2025."

Shahkar Abidi, Assistant Editor at Autocar, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Stressing the importance of continuous learning and practical exposure for engineering students, he said, “Autonomous driving and intelligent mobility are no longer just concepts; they are the future. BAJA SAEINDIA has always been ahead of the curve in providing hands-on experiences to students, and aBAJA is a testament to this vision. The passion and drive I see among these students will surely propel them to become future leaders in the automotive industry.”

The grand inaugural ceremony also saw the presence of esteemed dignitaries from both industry and academia, including Ganesh Rao, Director of R&D at Continental; Shantanu Sonar, DGM at Daimler Truck Innovation Centre India (DTICI); Dr P Rajalakshmi from TiHAN, IIT Hyderabad; Balraj Subramaniam, Chairman of the Organising Committee of BAJA SAEINDIA and Saurabh Chitnavis, Joint Convener of aBAJA SAEINDIA 2024.

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  - Dr Kamal Vora October 06, 2024 06:55 AM

  Autonomous BAJA SAEINDIA 2024 is a great initiative of SAEINDIA and I would like to congratulate BAJA Committee members, ARAI, Ajeenkya DY Patil University and all the sponsors & supporters for this initiative. The registration of BAJA SAEINDIA 2024 with early bird incentive starts on 6th Oct 2024 from 8 to 10 pm. For sponsorship or registration, please contact vorakc04@gmail.com

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EQONIC Group, a UK-based battery technology company, has announced two senior leadership appointments to support the commercialisation of its lithium-free, sodium-free and rare-earth-free battery technology.

John Saunders joins as Executive Director, bringing 30 years of experience in banking, regulation and law. He has held senior roles at Coutts, Barclays, UBS and Deutsche Bank. On the other hand, Angela Knight CBE joins as Non-Executive Director, having previously served as Chief Executive of the British Bankers' Association and Energy UK, with board experience at Taylor Wimpey and Arbuthnot Banking Group.

EQONIC is developing proprietary technology that eliminates the use of lithium, sodium, and rare-earth metals. The company claims that its technology achieves materials cost savings of approximately 70 percent compared to traditional lithium batteries.

The technology utilises abundant materials that are non-flammable, which reduces the risk of thermal runaway. This approach is intended to address supply chain vulnerabilities and ensure the batteries are fully recyclable.

The company plans to license its technology to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to enable global deployment while reducing capital risk. EQONIC’s roadmap aims for its technology to surpass sodium battery performance by 2026 and reach Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) levels by 2029.

Currently, EQONIC operates a commercial division serving D2B and B2B clients with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) energy storage systems. The company has secured a multi-million-pound pipeline across multiple sectors.

John Saunders, Executive Director, EQONIC Group, said, "EQONIC's breakthrough technology represents a genuine paradigm shift in the battery sector. The combination of cost reduction, enhanced safety, and sustainable materials addresses the fundamental barriers that have constrained the industry. I'm excited to bring my experience to support the company's growth trajectory as we move toward demonstrating market-ready products and securing strategic partnerships."

Angela Knight CBE, Non-Executive Director, EQONIC Group, said, "EQONIC exemplifies the kind of innovative British technology that can lead global markets. The company's approach - developing transformative technology first, then building robust commercial frameworks around it, is hugely compelling. Strong governance will be critical as EQONIC scales its business model and establishes partnerships with established OEM’s. I look forward to contributing to the board's strategic oversight during this pivotal phase."

Jas Kandola, Founder and CEO, EQONIC Group, stated, "John and Angela bring exactly the calibre of leadership we need at this critical juncture. John's regulatory expertise and commercial acumen will be invaluable as we navigate partnerships and licensing arrangements, while Angela's governance experience across complex, regulated industries will strengthen our board oversight. These appointments reflect our commitment to building a world-class organisation capable of delivering on the enormous potential of our technology."

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Einride AB, a technology company specialising in electric and autonomous freight, has appointed Gary Hicok to its Board of Directors. He joins the company following a 25-year career at Nvidia, where he held several leadership roles in autonomous technology and automotive hardware.

The appointment comes as Einride prepares for a public listing on the New York Stock Exchange through a business combination with Legato Merger Corp. III.

During his tenure at Nvidia, Hicok served as Senior Vice-President of the Mobile Business Unit and led Automotive Hardware and Systems. He oversaw the development of the Nvidia DRIVE platform and the Tegra processor, which are used in safety-critical automotive AI and in-vehicle computing.

His experience spans engineering and executive leadership within AI-driven markets and global organisations. At Einride, he will focus on scaling autonomous platforms and managing industry partnerships.

Einride operates in seven countries with more than 25 enterprise customers. The company reports approximately USD 65 million in expected annual recurring revenue (ARR) from signed contracts, with a potential long-term ARR exceeding USD 800 million through joint business plans.

The company has secured regulatory permits for autonomous vehicle operations in the United States and Europe. Its platform uses proprietary AI technology to manage electric and autonomous fleets, targeting the global road freight market.

Gary Hicok said, “Einride is solving an industry-scale problem the right way. Its platform approach unlocks partnerships, accelerates innovation, and makes electrified and autonomous freight real. I’ve watched many smart companies struggle with doing everything in house. It doesn’t scale or leverage the expertise of the industry, whereas Einride’s approach does. I believe its approach is built to win.”

Robert Falck, Founder and Executive Chairman, Einride, said, “Gary brings deep, hands-on experience scaling autonomous technology through critical partnerships across the automotive and technological ecosystem. Working alongside the Einride team, his perspective on building and scaling safety-critical platforms with industry partners will strengthen our ability to deploy autonomy globally. We’re pleased to welcome him to the Board.”

Roozbeh Charli, Chief Executive, Einride, added, “Gary's expertise and experience in building high-performing teams tackling the most advanced technology development will be instrumental for us as we continue to scale and cement our leadership position within autonomous freight technology. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built so far, and I’m excited for what we’ll achieve together with Gary’s unique experience.”

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American powertrain major BorgWarner has been awarded a contract by a European original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to supply an 800V Integrated Drive Module (iDM). The system will support a Range Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV), with mass production scheduled to commence in 2029.

The iDM is a system incorporating a single-electric-machine design that provides both generator and drive functionality. The module operates alongside an inverter, two clutches and a dual-mass flywheel. It is paired with the customer's internal combustion engine.

The system includes energy-efficient generator functionality and an all-wheel-drive mode. By combining two REEV functions into one product, the module aims to optimise vehicle architecture.

The integrated inverter utilises Viper power switches and dual-side cooled power module technology. This platform is designed for high-performance electric drive applications to manage high-voltage and high-current requirements.

Dr. Stefan Demmerle, Vice-President, BorgWarner Inc. and President and General Manager, PowerDrive Systems, said, “Securing this program award underlines BorgWarner’s strength in electric drive technology and system integration. With the China team taking the lead and collaborating with a global team, we have created a highly integrated solution that balances performance, efficiency, and packaging. We are proud to support our customer with innovative technology for its next-generation range extended vehicles.”

BorgWarner maintains in-house capabilities across electric motors, drivelines, power electronics and software. The company intends to use its manufacturing footprint to support the development of the global energy vehicle market.

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Vadodara-based Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) company Aimtron Electronics has secured its first order from a European Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). The contract, valued at approximately INR 38 million, involves providing box-build solutions for a client headquartered in Europe with manufacturing operations in Spain.

The order marks the company's entry into the European market, serving automotive and industrial sectors. Aimtron anticipates that revenues from this engagement could scale to four times the current size during the 2027 financial year.

The development follows the announcement of the India–Europe Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which aims to improve the competitiveness of Indian manufacturers. Aimtron intends to leverage its manufacturing operations in India and the United States to diversify supply chains for European customers.

This European foray follows the company’s recent acquisition of a US-based electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM) firm to strengthen its engineering capabilities for global OEMs.

Sneh Shah, Whole-time Director, Aimtron Electronics, said, “Meeting European automotive requirements demands a high level of process discipline, quality governance, and execution consistency. Aimtron has invested steadily in building these capabilities across box-build, traceability, and program management. This engagement reflects that readiness and provides a clear pathway to scale programs across European end-markets.”

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