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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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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drivebuddyAI, the Ahmedabad-based developer of AI-powered Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), debuted its mobility platform at CES 2026. The system provides data-driven solutions for commercial fleets, vehicle manufacturers, insurance providers and urban planners.

The platform is claimed to have been underpinned by 3.5 billion kilometres of driving data from India and Europe. According to the company, existing fleet deployments have resulted in an 83 percent reduction in drowsiness and a 72 percent reduction in fleet risk. Insurance companies are currently utilising the platform’s Fleet Safety Index to develop usage-based insurance (UBI) products and video-enabled First Notice of Loss (FNOL) systems to manage loss and claim ratios.

The platform operates by collecting data from High Dynamic Range (HDR) cameras and the vehicle's Controller Area Network (CAN). This information is processed on the vehicle using a real-time QNX or Linux edge system. The software includes patented models for driver monitoring, collision warnings, and blind-spot detection.

The system utilises a federated learning architecture, which enables real-time AI learning and data protection. Updates are delivered back to vehicles via over-the-air (OTA) technology, while insights are shared with partners through cloud APIs. The technology meets the AIS-184 standard in India and is certified under the European Union’s General Safety Regulation (GSR) 2144 and the EURO NCAP 2026 protocol.

Beyond safety, drivebuddyAI intends to apply its technology to Smart Cities and mapping. Features include road condition monitoring, traffic behaviour analytics, and the identification of accident black-spots to assist in infrastructure planning. For vehicle manufacturers, the pre-certified AI is intended to reduce the time and cost required for validation.

Nisarg Pandya, CEO and Founder, drivebuddyAI, said, “The response we received at CES has been tremendous. Attendees visiting our booth were fascinated by our innovation. Our platform has already demonstrated a reduction of over 70 percent in accidents across large commercial fleet deployments. Underlying technology is validated by leading global regulators, including the Automotive Research Association of India under India’s AIS-184 standard and certified in the European Union’s General Safety Regulation (GSR) 2144 and European New Car Assessment Programme (EURO NCAP) 2026 protocol. The platform is also ready to meet the requirements of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (USA), and other global markets. We look forward to taking this technology to more markets.”

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Krafton India and Royal Enfield have announced a strategic partnership to integrate the iconic Bullet 350 and Continental GT 650 motorcycles as rideable vehicles within Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) game, beginning in January 2026.

As part of the integration, Royal Enfield showcased a physical motorcycle based on the Continental GT 650, featuring a design inspired by the aesthetics of BGMI. The motorcycle was developed with a Delhi-based custom builder using metal forming and prototyping. The design includes picatinny rails, plating and tyres that reference combat and survival mechanics found in the game.

The partnership is included in the BGMI 4.2 update scheduled for 15 January 2026. Players will have access to Royal Enfield-themed content and rewards through a special format from 19 January to 22 February 2026. Available rewards include the Revel 01 Set, a P90 gun skin and the virtual versions of the Continental GT 650 and Bullet 350.

To drive participation, the collaboration introduces a login mechanic where players who remain in the application for 60 minutes daily qualify for a Royal Enfield Event Crate. Users can collect up to 34 crates during the event period, containing various items designed to reflect the brand's legacy within the game ecosystem.

Seddharth Merrotra, Head of Business Development & Partnerships, Krafton India, said, “This strategic partnership with Royal Enfield embodies BGMI’s vision of creating culturally meaningful and locally rooted experiences. 2026 will be a year of many firsts and we’re kicking it off with one of our most ambitious brand integrations yet, while fundamentally elevating how partnerships enhance player engagement and drive shared value. Royal Enfield is an iconic name in the global automotive universe and its deep community roots with evolving digital ethos make it a natural ally for BGMI’s player-centric universe. Together, we are weaving storytelling, lifestyle, and digital culture into gameplay in a way that truly reflects the aspirations of modern Indian youth. Looking ahead, this collaboration sets a strategic foundation for future partnerships that are experiential, immersive, and deeply connected with our community’s passions across movies, sports, FMCG and lifestyle landscapes.”

Adrian John Sellers, Head - Custom & Motorsports, Royal Enfield, said, "Partnering with BGMI is about more than just presence; it’s about meeting our community in their element and amplifying the shared values of thrill, freedom, and self-expression. The custom-built Continental GT 650 is the physical heartbeat of this collaboration—an intersection where the raw, tactical aesthetic of gaming meets the soul of custom motorcycling. By blending BGMI’s battle-ready elements with Royal Enfield DNA, we have created a machine where imagination isn't limited by reality. It is a celebration of creative exploration for a community that thrives on both the digital and the open road."

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German chemical major BASF has announced the results of long-term material testing that predicts a service life exceeding 100,000 hours for its latest generation of polyamides used in electric vehicles (EVs).

The shift toward e-mobility has increased durability requirements for plastic components under the bonnet, with components now requiring a lifespan of 45,000 to 55,000 hours, compared to 5,000 hours for internal combustion engines (ICE).

The increase in required service life is driven by battery charging processes that require constant temperature regulation. To verify performance, BASF transitioned from standard air-heat testing to hydrolysis storage, which involves ageing materials in water-glycol mixtures. The company employs the Arrhenius equation to determine the relationship between temperature and reaction rate, allowing for the extrapolation of service life under standard operating conditions.

The material tested, Ultramid, features glass fibre reinforcement and a low halogen content. Testing initiated in August 2020 indicates that the hydrolysis resistance of this polyamide allows it to maintain its properties for over 100,000 hours. These components are typically utilised in vehicle pumps and valves.

The data provides the automotive and haulage sectors with verification that plastic components can withstand the chemical and thermal demands of long-term EV operation.

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