Elektrobit, a wholly owned independent subsidiary of Continental, has announced a strategic partnership with Metoak, a Chinese provider of intelligent driving solutions, to accelerate the development and adoption of software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

The collaboration integrates Elektrobit’s EB corbos Linux for Safety Applications – an open-source operating system compliant with automotive safety standards – with Metoak’s high-performance chips and driving algorithms. The first mass production project, now in its initial phase, focuses on stereoscopic vision and multi-sensor fusion technologies for next-generation ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) controllers. Mass production is expected by early 2026.

The project marks the first integration of open-source systems with domestic chips in China’s intelligent driving sector. Elektrobit brings its global software expertise, while Metoak contributes its stereoscopic vision technology, aiming to deliver secure, cost-effective, and updateable SDV solutions for Chinese automakers.

The partnership centres around two areas:

EB corbos Linux for Safety Applications – The world’s first open-source, high-performance computing OS to meet ISO 26262 ASIL B and IEC 61508 SIL 2 safety standards. Its customisability and compliance with the UNECE R155 cybersecurity regulation make it a competitive choice for automakers. Metoak has successfully adapted the OS to its chips, reducing supply chain risks and offering a flexible solution for local manufacturers.

AUTOSAR Software and Autonomous Driving – The partners will co-develop ASIL D-certified Classic AUTOSAR software to optimise real-time communication and safety. They also plan to work on Level 3 autonomous driving algorithms and build a local ecosystem to support the ‘domestic chips + open-source system’ model.

Yaojie Lu, CEO of Metoak, said: “Partnering with Elektrobit combines the flexibility of EB corbos Linux with our stereo vision and AI technology, enabling cost-efficient and precise perception solutions.”

Maria Anhalt, CEO of Elektrobit, added: “The success of SDVs depends on openness and collaboration. We’re proud to see the industry’s first open-source safety-compliant OS entering mass production alongside Metoak.”

The partnership sets the stage for scalable, safety-certified SDV innovations in China and beyond.

Leading insurance technology firm RenewBuy makes strategic foray into automotive loan segment with RB Wheelz brand.

The RB Wheelz brand will provide a full suite of automotive loan products — including new vehicle financing, balance transfers and top-up loans — all accessible through RenewBuy’s upgraded digital platform. The integration is designed to offer consumers a seamless experience by combining financing and insurance under one digital roof.

The company estimates that the automotive financing market is expanding at a CAGR of 15–16 percent, which makes it an attractive opportunity for digital-first players like RenewBuy.

In the final quarter of FY25, RenewBuy disbursed nearly INR 1 billion in automotive loans. Looking ahead, the company aims to onboard approximately 10,000 customers and scale its loan disbursement to INR 15 billion in FY2026. The initial rollout will focus on four-wheelers and fleet vehicles.

Indraneel Chatterjee, Co-Founder, RenewBuy, said, “Having served consumers in the insurance space for nearly a decade, we are now expanding our footprint in the financial services ecosystem. We’re leveraging our technology and a 150,000 strong advisor network to bring loan services to consumers across metros and smaller towns. Over 75 percent of buyers in Tier II and III cities are opting for vehicle financing — a high-potential segment we aim to empower with accessible, seamless, and digital solutions.”

RenewBuy’s upgraded platform now includes a dedicated loan feature, supported by partnerships with 18 leading banks and NBFCs.

Axiscades Technologies, a leading technology and engineering solutions provider, has appointed Anurag Sharma as CEO of add-solution, a Germany-based subsidiary of Axiscades specialising in wiring harness design & testing for aerospace, automotive and industrial sectors.

The German company focuses on specialised drone development and thermal management offering for Axiscades group in Europe.

Alfonso Martinez, CEO and MD, Axiscades, said, “We are excited to welcome Anurag to our leadership team. He embodies the rare blend of technical expertise and executional foresight that defines Axiscades’ ambition. The future of engineering value is being created: at the intersection of electrification, AI-driven industrial transformation and semiconductor-led innovation and he brings these talents to the table. Anurag’s track record in scaling engineering businesses gives add-solution the exact leverage needed to dominate the software-defined era. His work in EDS and cross-border industrialisation aligns with our strategy to embed deeper into European OEMs’ R&D cycles. In Europe, the sector contributes 4 percent to the GDP and is home to several leading premium car manufacturers, making it a highly attractive market. As part of our restructuring, Axiscades is doubling down on aerospace, defence and engineering services powered by Electronics, Semiconductors and Artificial Intelligence (ESAI).”

“add-solution plays a central role in this vision, bringing software-led scale and agility to these high-priority verticals. We're building a leadership team that doesn’t just respond to industry shifts it shapes them,” he added.

Sharma is an alumnus of IIT Roorkee and comes with over three decades of experience across product development, sales & business development, P&L management and successful execution of large-scale engineering programs.

He began his career with L&T and has held several senior roles across Siemens Technology, Segula Technologies, Altran India, Ansys India and Altair Engineering.

Anurag Sharma, said, “Axiscades is at an inflection point where product innovation in the domain of electronics, semiconductor and digital engineering are converging to create long-term value. The EDS (Electrical Distribution Systems) industry is undergoing a major transformation, with embedded electronic systems and 3D designs taking centre stage. As OEMs increasingly shift towards software-defined vehicles and electrification, the demand for highly specialised, domain-driven engineering services is set to rise. I am thrilled to contribute to this vision and bring together add solution’s deep expertise in EDS and component testing to give Axiscades a unique edge. The goal is to deepen global partnerships and build differentiated capabilities by delivering smarter, faster, and more integrated solutions across the value chain.”

South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Group has opened the Hyundai Center of Excellence (Hyundai CoE) for future mobility technology at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.

It was on 3 December 2024, the automaker had announced its partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology's (IITs) to establish a collaborative research system in batteries and electrification. It had also outlined an ambitious USD 7 million investment to support the initiative.  

As part of its long-term academic-industrial collaboration Hyundai Motor Group has selected nine joint research projects which focusses on –

• Battery cells, systems and testing
• Battery management systems (BMS)
• Energy density enhancement
• Safety
• Durability
• Diagnostic technologies.

It also explores new materials and system components, driving forward innovation in battery design and performance.

The ceremony saw participation from Heuiwon Yang, President and Head of the R&D Division, Unsoo Kim, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor India and Chang Hwan Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of the Electrification Energy Solutions Tech Unit. They were joined by IIT representatives, including Prof Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, Dean Manu Santhanam from IIT Madras and Dean Sachin C. Patwardhan from IIT Bombay.
The Steering Committee of the Hyundai CoE will be co-chaired by EVP Chang Hwan Kim and Prof Bijaya Ketan Panigrahi at IIT Delhi.

Heuiwon Yang, said, “We’re excited to work with India’s brightest minds in battery innovation. Collaborating with leading researchers and IIT professors through the Hyundai Center of Excellence for future mobility technology will help us develop technologies tailored to India while contributing to its economy and society. We see this partnership with India’s academia and industry as a foundation for building a sustainable future together.”

In addition, the Korean automaker is also expanding its Future Technology Research Program, which has been in operation since 2021. In contrast to general operation methods of academic-industrial projects, the program allows university faculty members to propose their own research topics, which are then reviewed and selected by the Group.

The initiative was earlier limited to Korean universities, which has now been expanded to include foreign faculty, including professors at IITs. At present, Hyundai Motor Group has collaborated with three IIT universities (IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay and IIT Madras), engaging around 30 professors. By December 2025, it aims to expand its reach to 10 universities in India, including non-IIT institutions, with approximately 100 professors participating.

Going forward, the OEM will also focus on technology exchange forums bringing together experts from both India and Korea; global conferences on battery and EV technologies to share insights on trends & policies and policy dialogue sessions that engage key stakeholders from the Indian government, academia and industry to discuss the future of the mobility and electrification sectors.

MathWorks, a leading mathematical computing software company, recently hosted MATLAB Expo 2025 conference in Bengaluru, which saw participation from over 800 engineers, academicians and industry leaders.

The conference served as a platform for bringing forth discussions on the best practice across industries. Through a series of engaging keynote sessions, panel discussions and technology showcase, the participants got an opportunity to understand the latest advancements spanning electrification, next-generation wireless systems, AI modelling and system simulation.

Richard Rovner, Vice-President of Marketing at MathWorks, gave a presentation on ‘From Embedded to Empowered: The Rise of Software-Defined Products.’ He highlighted the sweeping transformation brought about by software-defined architectures in modern engineering and urged organisations to adapt their development methodologies and team structures, pointing to MATLAB and Simulink as critical tools for capturing value and reducing risk in this evolving landscape.

Furthering this narrative, Dr Anshuman Awasthi, Senior Vice-President at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI), delivered his keynote, ‘Software Development in a Connected World.’ He examined the convergence of connectivity, consumer demand, and real-time development, underscoring the central role of software in the future of mobility.

Sunil Motwani, Country Head, MathWorks India, said, “MATLAB Expo 2025 highlighted remarkable contributions by leading engineers and scientists. With a sharp focus on software-defined products and artificial intelligence, platforms like these are essential to foster collaboration, share insights and drive innovation. MathWorks remains committed to enabling professionals to connect and learn from one another.”

Beyond the keynotes, the event featured a robust technology showcase, where more than 25 demo booths offered interactive experiences led by MathWorks experts and partners. Participants had the opportunity to engage hands-on with emerging tools and technologies critical to modern engineering.

A key highlight at the event was a panel discussion featuring experts from Jaguar Land Rover Technology and Business Services India, Tata Elxsi, Nexteer Automotive, AIC BIMTECH and IIIT Bangalore. The panel addressed the rising importance of system-level simulation in the design of intelligent products that seamlessly integrate software, hardware and AI. Discussions revolved around cross-functional collaboration and the evolving skillsets needed to lead the technological transformation.

The conference also celebrated the voices of women leaders from Nexteer Automotive, EMBITEL Technologies and CEMILAC, who shared stories of resilience, innovation, and leadership. Their session emphasised the importance of inclusive work cultures, leveraging technology for empowerment, and fostering community-driven progress.

Closing out the programme was an update session titled ‘What’s New in MATLAB and Simulink,’ which highlighted recent advancements in deep learning, systems engineering, wireless communications and model-based design.