Drive System Design Displays Electrified Propulsion Systems At IAA Transportation 2024
- By MT Bureau
- September 16, 2024

Drive System Design (DSD), a global engineering consultancy and a subsidiary of Hinduja Tech, is all set to display its latest advancements in electrified propulsion systems at IAA Transportation 2024 to be held in Hannover, Germany, from 17-22 September 2024.
With decades of experience and a team of award-winning engineers, DSD specialises in the rapid engineering and development of electrified propulsion systems and associated technologies. It operates technical centres in North America and the UK, with commercial centres in South Korea, Japan and India. DSD's core competencies lie in systems integration, system attribute optimisation, performance enhancement and development testing. DSD provides creative and optimised solutions across the whole electrification spectrum by using its unique combination of experience and cutting-edge testing equipment.
Some of the solutions that DSD will display at IAA Transportation 2024 are mentioned below:
PHEV-DCT transmission: By creating a new transmission for a top European OEM, DSD was able to demonstrate its capacity to optimise PHEV performance on a significant scale. With an ultra-wide ratio dual-clutch design, DSD's Infinite Control Software platform not only maximised fuel efficiency but also preserved the premium driving experience.
Sustainability enhancement with powder metallurgy: Approximately 15 percent of the cost and 40 percent of the carbon footprint of a high-volume product can be saved by employing powder metal. Furthermore, the use of soft magnetic compounds in motor design is being propelled by DSD.
Lubrication testing of e-Axle transmission: DSD was able to left-shift the design program for a major automaker with its unique validation process, which combined virtual validation using CAE tools with physical validation. Evaluating the design performance under all driving conditions allowed for durability and efficiency
Open Platform Inverter (OPI) SiC: This is an open software platform with strong and flexible inverter hardware for developing motor components and motor control IP development.
Pedro Zabala, the UK Head of Control Systems, will be in attendance and available to discuss DSD’s Open Platform Inverter and the Infinite Control Software platform, which has been used in aerospace, mining vehicles and class 8 trucks.
Shankar V, EMEA Regional Head, Hinduja Tech, said, “The acquisition of DSD in 2022 marked a significant milestone for Hinduja Tech. DSD's expertise in powertrain systems perfectly complements our existing capabilities, and their presence in the EMEA region has been instrumental in driving our growth here. Together, we are well positioned to lead the global shift towards a cleaner transportation landscape.”
Mark Findlay, CEO, Drive System Design, added, "As a leading force in drivetrain systems, attributes optimisation and performance enhancement of propulsion system development, DSD is committed to collaborating with industry leaders to accelerate their efficiency improvement programmes. We invite journalists and industry professionals to visit our booth at Hall H23, stand C32 at IAA Transportation 2024 to explore how DSD's innovative engineering solutions can help them achieve their clean transportation goals."
- Affordable Robotic and Automation
- ARAPL
- Meru Cabs
- Mahindra Group
- V-Link Tours & Travels
- Neeraj Gupta
- Milind Padole
ARAPL Appoints Neeraj Gupta As Strategy & Growth Advisory Director
- By MT Bureau
- August 29, 2025

Affordable Robotic and Automation (ARAPL) has appointed Meru Cabs Founder Neeraj Gupta as its Strategy and Growth Advisory Director.
Gupta brings over two decades of experience as an entrepreneur and leadership experience. He built Meru Cabs into a mobility brand with a customer base of over 15 million users and a fleet of over 20,000 vehicles. Meru operated at major airports and offered both inter- and intra-city services. He sold his stake in Meru in June 2021 to the Mahindra Group. Before Meru, in 2000, he founded V-Link Tours & Travels, which grew to be one of the largest enterprise mobility companies in India.
Milind Padole, MD, ARAPL, said, "We are delighted to welcome Neeraj on board. I found in Neeraj the same madness and passion to build a robotic company as mine – one that can be scaled on the world map. His proven expertise in building scalable business models and navigating disruptive industries will strengthen our strategic vision. We are undergoing a transformative stage that requires the right partners to take the ARAPL journey to the next level. Having an advisor with such rich experience as Neeraj will further enrich the company’s growth plans ahead."
Gupta's understanding of scaling businesses, customer-centric innovation and partnerships will provide direction as ARAPL accelerates its growth.
"I am excited to join ARAPL at this crucial juncture in its growth journey. With its strong foundation in robotics, proprietary technologies and international presence, led by Milind and team’s vision, ARAPL is well-positioned to capture emerging opportunities in automation across industries. I look forward to working with the leadership team to unlock new growth avenues and create long-term value."
ARAPL has demonstrated innovation in robotic welding, multi-level car parking, warehouse automation and AI-based robots. With Gupta’s insights, the company aims to expand its footprint in Europe, the Middle East and the US. It also plans to increase its presence in sectors like autonomous logistics and port automation.
Porsche Partners With AirConsole For In-Car Gaming
- By MT Bureau
- August 28, 2025

Porsche is set to bring a new level of entertainment to its vehicles through a collaboration with AirConsole, a leading in-car gaming platform. The new Porsche Macan, arriving later this year, will be the first model to feature a curated library of multiplayer games, transforming car rides into a shared entertainment experience.
The integration allows passengers to use their smartphones as controllers to play a variety of games on the vehicle’s infotainment screen. When the car is parked, all passengers, including the driver, can participate. While on the move, gaming is restricted to the front passenger display, ensuring the driver remains focused on the road. The system uses Porsche’s integrated screen privacy features to keep the display safe and distraction-free.
Anthony Cliquot, CEO, AirConsole, said, “Our collaboration with Porsche is a powerful signal of how quickly AirConsole is scaling in the automotive industry. In just two years since launching our in-car platform, we’ve partnered with some of the world’s most respected car brands, now including Porsche. This momentum confirms that gaming has a meaningful place in the future of mobility, and we’re proud to be leading that evolution.”
To access AirConsole, users can simply download the app from the Porsche App Centre. Passengers then connect their smartphones by scanning a QR code on the screen, with no need for additional hardware. The platform supports up to five players, allowing for both collaborative and competitive sessions.
AirConsole specialises in casual, short-session games that are optimised for the in-car environment. The growing catalogue includes popular titles like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Overcooked, and UNO Car Party!, ensuring a wide range of options for passengers.
The AirConsole platform will be available in the new Macan starting at the end of this year, rolling out in all markets where Porsche Connect is offered, with the exception of China.
- Honda Motor Co
- Japan Mobility Show 2025
- Honda 0 SUV
- Honda 0 Saloon
- Honda CUV e:
- Honda Rebel 1100 S Edition
- Honda 0 Series EV
- Tokyo Big Sight
Honda To Showcase Mobility Innovations At Japan Mobility Show 2025
- By MT Bureau
- August 28, 2025

Japanese automotive major Honda Motor Co, has announced that it will present a wide range of mobility products and technologies at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, scheduled from 29 October to 9 November at Tokyo Big Sight.
The company said it will display automobiles, motorcycles, power products, aircraft and concept models under its theme of ‘The Power of Dreams.’ Among the highlights will be the Honda 0 Series EV models, due for global market introduction in 2026, as well as the full-size interior mock-up of the HondaJet Elite II, which allows visitors to experience its spacious cabin.
Key exhibits will include the Honda 0 Saloon Prototype and Honda 0 SUV Prototype, both making their Japan debut. Honda will also present production models such as the CUV e:, a Class-2 electric commuter powered by swappable batteries and the Rebel 1100 S Edition cruiser with dual clutch transmission.
Beyond land-based vehicles, Honda will showcase the Honda BF350 outboard motor and the HondaJet Elite II business jet interior. The brand will also participate in programmes organised by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), including the Tokyo Future Tour 2035 and the Mobility Culture Programme.
Honda said: “The Honda booth is designed to enable the visitors to experience dream-inspiring mobility products Honda created with its original technologies and ideas while being driven by its own dreams.”
Tata Elxsi, Suzuki Motor Corporation Inaugurate New HIL Validation Centre In Trivandrum
- By MT Bureau
- August 22, 2025

Bengaluru-based design and technology services major Tata Elxsi and Japanese auto major Suzuki Motor Corporation have inaugurated the Suzuki–Tata Elxsi Cloud HIL Centre in Trivandrum, India.
The new centre is Suzuki’s first full-vehicle cloud-enabled Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) validation facility and represents the second engineering centre established under the Tata Elxsi–Suzuki partnership, following the Offshore Development Centre (ODC) in Pune.
The new facility is engineered for early-stage, full-vehicle simulation and validation through a cloud-native infrastructure. It will allow the Japanese automaker’s development and test teams to remotely access HIL infrastructure integrated with Electronic Control Units (ECUs) – reducing reliance on physical prototypes and accelerating validation cycles across R&D centres worldwide. This aligns with Suzuki’s roadmap for Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), reinforcing a shift toward software-led, scalable development.
Being purpose-built, the facility integrates Tata Elxsi’s domain expertise in automotive Verification and Validation (V&V), test automation and simulation, which it claims enables transformative advancements in development speed, quality and future readiness.
The Cloud HIL Centre is part of Suzuki’s global ‘SDV Right’ strategy for Electrical and Electronic (E/E) Virtual Development, which is set to play a foundational role in delivering continuous integration, faster release cycles and system reliability.
Katsuhiro Kato, Director and Executive Vice-President, Suzuki Motor Corporation, said, “The Suzuki-Tata Elxsi Cloud HIL Centre is a new base that leverages Tata Elxsi's expertise and deep experience to build an advanced and efficient development system. We hope that Suzuki will promote virtualisation to realise minimisation of energy and contribute to the development of next-generation mobility significantly."
Manoj Raghavan, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Elxsi, said, “We thank Kato-san and Suzuki Motor Corporation for their continued trust. This new Cloud HIL Centre builds on the strong foundation of our Pune ODC and marks a forward leap in our SDV-focused collaboration. It reflects our shared vision for sustainable and smarter mobility.”
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