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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Dutch technology and map specialists TomTom has announced that its Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Harold Goddijn will step down from his role and the Management Board at the Annual General Meeting on 16 April 2026. The Supervisory Board has nominated Mike Schoofs, the current Chief Revenue Officer, to succeed him as CEO.

The transition also marks the end of Alain De Taeye’s term as a member of the Management Board. Following the meeting, the board will be reduced to two members: Mike Schoofs and Chief Financial Officer Taco Titulaer.

Goddijn, who Co-Founded the company in 1991 and has served as CEO since 2001, has been nominated to join the Supervisory Board. Under his leadership, TomTom transitioned from a consumer navigation start-up to a provider of location technology and mapping systems for the automotive and enterprise sectors.

Schoofs joined the company in 2005 and as the Chief Revenue Officer since 2023, he managed the global sales organisation and strategic partnerships across the automotive and platform segments.

The leadership change occurs as TomTom continues its shift towards AI-driven mapping and platform technology. The company has recently simplified its product portfolio and modernised its technology stack to serve automotive manufacturers and enterprise clients.

Harold Goddijn, said, “Building and leading TomTom has been the privilege of my professional life. We have built a company with deep technology, strong customer relationships, and extraordinary people. The time is right for the next phase of leadership. As the architect of our global commercial organization, Mike is uniquely positioned to lead the company forward. I am certain that under his leadership the company will continue to prosper.”

Mike Schoofs, stated, “TomTom has built a differentiated technology platform and strong customer relationships. My focus will be on disciplined execution, scaling our automotive and enterprise businesses, and delivering long-term value for customers and shareholders.”

Derk Haank, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, added, “I want to express our deep appreciation to Harold and Alain for their extraordinary entrepreneurship over more than thirty-five years. They built businesses from start-ups into a global leader in location technology, guiding the company through multiple profound transitions, from consumer navigation to automotive partnerships, platform technology, and today’s AI-driven mapping technology. Thanks to their vision, TomTom now stands on a strong foundation, with a simplified product portfolio, a modern technology stack, and a talented leadership team ready to lead the company into its next chapter of growth. We are pleased that Harold wishes to remain involved and intends to join the Supervisory Board.”

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RoboSense has announced that its EM4 and E1 digital LiDAR systems have been selected for the Robotaxi GXR. The vehicle is a joint development between WeRide and Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group, a subsidiary of Geely.

The Robotaxi GXR fleet is scheduled to commence production in Q3 2026. The companies plan to deliver 2,000 units to domestic and international markets.

The Robotaxi GXR utilises the GEN8 autonomous driving suite, which incorporates WeRide's Sensor Suite 8.0 (SS8.0). This system uses the RoboSense EM4 as the primary LiDAR and the E1 as the blind-spot LiDAR.

Key specifications of the LiDAR units include:

• EM4 (Primary LiDAR): A digital LiDAR system capable of customisation up to 2,160 beams. It features a detection range of 600 metres and increased point cloud density to improve hazard identification at high speeds.
• E1 (Blind-spot LiDAR): A solid-state digital LiDAR with a 120deg x 90deg Field of View (FoV). It is designed to eliminate near-field blind spots and is mass-produced for automotive use.

The combination of long-range and near-field sensors is intended to maintain performance during rain or fog. This configuration provides 360-degree coverage around the vehicle.

At present, WeRide operates commercial services in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Beijing and Guangzhou. As of January 2026, the global fleet reached 1,023 vehicles. With the addition of the 2,000 GXR units scheduled for delivery this year, the total operational fleet is expected to exceed 2,600 vehicles.

RoboSense claims that it maintains partnerships with over 90 percent of leading Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving companies. The company provides the perception hardware for various platforms within the global robotaxi sector.

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Bengaluru-based Daimler Truck Innovation Center India (DTICI) has appointed Radhakrishnan Kodakkal as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Raghavendra Vaidya, who has transitioned to the role of Global Chief Information Officer at Daimler Truck.

In his new position, Kodakkal will oversee the expansion of engineering and digital capabilities at the Bengaluru hub. His remit includes the acceleration of innovation in coordination with the global product engineering, technology and IT teams of Daimler Truck.

Kodakkal joins DTICI with 30 years of experience in technology, engineering, and research and development. He previously served as Global Head of Integrated Technology and Vice-President at Whirlpool Corporation, where he managed R&D operations and digital transformation strategies. His career has focused on the delivery of connected and intelligent technology solutions within multinational organisations.

DTICI serves as a strategic hub within the global Daimler Truck ecosystem, focusing on software, digital platforms and IT operations. The centre supports the parent company’s objectives in developing sustainable and connected transportation solutions.

Key focus areas for the new leadership include:

• Global Collaboration: Aligning Indian engineering output with international product cycles.
• Digital Platforms: Scaling software-defined vehicle technologies and IT infrastructure.
• Innovation Delivery: Transforming research into scalable automotive applications.

Thomas Ulm, Chairman, Daimler Truck Innovation Center India, said, “Radhakrishnan brings deep expertise in technology and engineering, complemented by strong global leadership experience and a proven ability to build and scale innovation. As DTICI continues to play a central role in Daimler Truck’s global engineering and IT network, we are confident that his leadership will further strengthen DTICI’s position as a trusted innovation and delivery hub across the global Daimler Truck ecosystem. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Raghavendra Vaidya for his outstanding leadership and strategic vision. Under his guidance, DTICI has grown into an integral part of Daimler Truck. We look forward to continuing our strong collaboration in his new role as CIO of Daimler Truck.”

Radhakrishnan Kodakkal, stated, “I am excited to step into this role and build on the strong foundation that has been established. The automotive industry is experiencing a period of significant transformation and there’s no better time to be part of it than now. DTICI has grown into a pivotal technology and innovation hub for Daimler Truck, driven by exceptional talent in India. I look forward to collaborating closely with colleagues across the globe to deliver solutions that are scalable, sustainable, and future-ready.”

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TIP Group has announced the appointment of Maurice Meijer to the newly established position of Chief Digital and Information Officer. This strategic role underscores the increasing significance of digital innovation, data management and technology in advancing the company’s long-term Strategy 2030 objectives. As TIP expands its footprint as a comprehensive transportation services provider across 17 European nations, the integration of digital solutions is viewed as essential to fostering operational efficiency, business growth and superior customer engagement.

In his capacity as CDIO, Meijer will lead the formulation and execution of the group’s digital and technological roadmap. His responsibilities encompass overseeing digital platforms, enhancing data analytics capabilities, managing IT infrastructure and strengthening cybersecurity protocols. The goal is to build resilient, scalable systems that align with TIP’s future ambitions.

Meijer joins with a robust background in board-level technology leadership. He previously served as Chief Technology and Information Officer at Nederlandse Loterij, where he spearheaded major digital transformations across various brands and platforms. Prior to that, he held key roles in digital strategy, product development and operations within both the technology sector and public institutions. Additionally, he is involved in supporting early-stage tech startups as an investor and founding partner.

His educational credentials include executive programmes at Nyenrode University and INSEAD, along with a degree in international business management. Meijer is recognised for blending strategic commercial insight with practical technological expertise.

Arjen Kraaij, President & CEO, TIP Group, said, “Digitalisation is central to TIP’s future success. With Maurice, we are bringing in a strong business and technology leader who will help us simplify complexity, strengthen our digital foundations and accelerate execution across the Group. His leadership will be instrumental as we translate our Strategy 2030 ambitions into practical, value-creating solutions for our customers and our teams.”

Meijer said, “I’m really looking forward to joining TIP at this important stage in its journey. With strong foundations, great people and clear ambitions under Strategy 2030, there’s a lot to build on. At the same time, we’re ready to take the next step by accelerating our shift towards more digital solutions. By embracing digital, data and AI in a focused and practical way, we’ll turn opportunities into solutions that truly improve the customer experience and make day-to-day work simpler, smarter and more effective for both our customers and our teams.”

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