The launch of the new products is in line with the growing demand for e-bikes in India,triggered by the rising awareness of a healthy and active lifestyle. GoZero’s CEO, Ankit Kumar, said, “The pandemic has triggered and propelled the need for people to take health seriously. We have seen a sudden increase in e-bike sales globally. Our core aim at GoZero is to continuously develop exceptional products that become an aid for people to adopt an active lifestyle. We are launching the Pro version of Skellig, launching our Make.Fit series of active performance wear and releasing our new toll-free lines for our customers.”

Headquartered in Birmingham, the company entered the Indian market in April 2019 with the launch of two e-bikes. To introduce the products in the market, GoZero has partnered up with Kirti Solar based in Kolkata, for the development and manufacturing of current and future products, utilising the global supply chain to “Make in India”. As a part of the association, Kirti Solar has invested USD 250,000 in GoZero Mobility.

Skellig is powered by the EnerDrive 210Wh lithium battery pack (800 cycles), 250W motor and comes with several modes including Throttle Mode, 5-level Peddle-Assist Mode, Walk Mode, and Cruise Mode. The model has an alloy stem handle and features 26x1.95 tyres and a premium counter-body suspension fork.

Skellig Lite combines the EnerDrive 210 Wh lithium battery pack (800 cycles) and 250W motor with three modes. It features an alloy stem handle, with 26x1.95 tyres, specialised V-brakes and an independent rigid suspension fork. Both the models have a maximum speed of 25 kmph with a range of 25 km on a single charge.The EnerDrive Battery packs can be charged in just 2.5 hours.

The company has also introduced a Pro version which is a hybrid e-bike for off-roading and city commute both. Powered by EnerDrive 400 Wh lithium battery pack (2000 cycles), it is supported by a composite mild steel frame, 7-speed gear system with an advanced front suspension fork, an alloy stem handle and disc brakes for both wheels.

Besides, it has Control Version 4.0 LCD and a flashlight with a guide-me-home enabled lighting system. The maximum speed of this model is 25 kmph and powers through for 70 km range in a single charge, which takes around three hours to recharge from 0-95 percent.

According to Kumar, the e-bike market in India is growing three folds every year. Last year 6,000 units were sold, of which the company had a share of 30 percent. This year, the industry sees tremendous growth due to focus on health and social distancing, clocking around 19,000 units. Though the e-bike is a niche market, it fits in between two segments-the bicycle and the two-wheeler industry, which have a sales volume of 16 million and 21 million units, respectively.

“E-bikes become the right option for both types of consumers- first who want to an e-bike for commute and do not want pay big amounts on scooters or motorcycle and for those, a larger group, who want e-bikes for commuting purpose and healthy lifestyles as well. We focus on to offer the right mix of technology, cost and quality,” said Kumar.

Skellig and Skellig Pro, are being sold through online and offline routes, while the Skellig Lite is being sold through online platforms. About 75 percent of the sales comes from offline, while the rest comes from online portals.

After launching of its two models, the One and the Mile, last year, the company realised that there are larger numbers of people who want to buy an e-bike in the range between INR15,000 to INR 20,000. However, there is no company which offers e-bikes in that range. Therefore, it launched Skellig Lite for INR 19,999.

To expand business, the company is doubling its dealers to 100 by January 2021. The company is taking entrepreneurs on board, and the programme is called direct sales partners. Explaining this programme, Kumar said, this is for individuals who have a passion for sales and wants to start their own business but does not have capital. “If a person has sales experience, he can join us as a direct sales partner. We give him/ her all collaterals- the marketing materials-and if the person cracks a deal with an individual or a corporate, the direct sales partner gets a commission. They don’t need to keep an inventory.”

As of now, the company has over 100 direct sales partners and, in the last three month, it has converted seven direct sales partners into the dealers.

The company is also expanding its experience centres in India from three to five soon.

Kumar said, “Our dealers get a margin of up to 16 percent on e-bikes and we also offer good margins on the active performance wears which have been launched by the company recently.”

The company gives a warranty of two years on each e-bike and provides two free services in the first year. The company is increasing local authorised technicians, whose data will be updated soon on the company website, to have e-bike serviced at home. It is also working on having partnerships with service providers such as GO Mechanic to avail services where the company dealers and technicians are not available as of now.

On the possibility of price reduction, Kumar said, “We will be trying to reduce the prices of our products further, but there is a threshold. We cannot bring down the prices after one level as we do not compromise on the quality of our e-bikes. Main costs of any e-bikes come from batteries, motors, and controllers. Until India does manufacture cells and make batteries locally, it will be difficult to bring down the prices after a certain level.”

The company has a manufacturing unit near Kolkata with a capacity of 12,000 units per annum. To support speedy deliveries it is also exploring to build a facility in North India, which will have a capacity of 20,000 per year.The company is facing significant challenges on the logistic for delivery of the products due to COVID. According to Kumar, delivery time and cost have doubled thanks to COVID. “We do not see the logistic business will come back on track at least for the next one year and that is the one the reasons to open a plant in North so we can cater to north and west market more efficiently,” said Kumar.

Last year the company sold around 1,150 units, and for this year, it targets to sell about 2,000 units. “Due to the lockdown, we have revised our sales target from 3,000 units to 2,000 units for this FY.” Majority business for the company comes from south India, particularly, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and other cities, where technology adaption is faster.

To enhance e-bikes’ experience, the company has launched comfort apparels. Most of the amateur cyclists do not feel comfortable wearing skintight spandex. It has developed active gears, specifically design to bend tech with comfort and style. “We have introduced active gears which are comfortable and durable products and allows more breathability to users,” Kumar added. (MT)

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Wipro 3D to create a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for additive manufacturing. The facility will be located at the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI) in Bidadi, Bengaluru. The partnership is intended to facilitate skill development and the integration of 3D printing technologies into production environments.

The centre will provide students with exposure to industrial applications of additive manufacturing, including rapid prototyping and the development of production aids. Wipro 3D will provide technical expertise and training modules covering internships, apprenticeships and workshops. The curriculum will also incorporate digital manufacturing and resource optimisation as part of an emphasis on Industry 4.0 technologies.

By leveraging these manufacturing capabilities, the initiative aims to reduce lead times and improve assembly line efficiency. The TTTI, which focuses on vocational education in trades such as mechatronics and welding, doubled its intake to 2,400 students in 2023. This collaboration aligns with the institution's objective to build technical talent for the automotive sector.

G Shankara, Chief Strategy Officer, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, "Our Human Resource Development philosophy at TKM follows core principles of Toyota such as, Continue the Quest for Improvement, Show Respect for People, under which we thrive hard to develop individuals in the Latest Technology of the New Age Era of automotive field. We are also committed to nurturing skilled talent and strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem. This collaboration will play an imperative role in nurturing future-ready talent, while contributing meaningfully to the Government’s Skill India Mission.”

Yathiraj Kasal, Business Head and General Manager, Wipro 3D, added, “This association reflects our commitment to strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem through capability building and innovation, while creating industry-relevant learning experiences.”

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TomTom has introduced Unified Speed Restrictions, a new service providing updated speed limit data for global regulatory compliance and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The service is designed to help vehicle manufacturers exceed the minimum requirements of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) regulations.

The service integrates multiple static and live data sources into a single output. By combining various inputs, the system provides continuous updates to vehicle software to ensure speed limit identification remains accurate across different driving environments.

Data sources utilised include:

• Unsigned speed limits: Based on regional road classifications.
• Roadside sign recognition: Camera-based detection of physical signs.
• Probe data: Aggregated information from connected vehicles.
• Variable speed limits: Real-time data from electronic overhead gantries.

Beyond safety compliance, the service supports automated driving functions by providing data for predictive path planning and smoother vehicle manoeuvres.

The solution is available as an API or pre-integrated within the TomTom ADAS SDK. The SDK is modular, allowing manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers to incorporate the data into existing software stacks without vendor lock-in. This architecture is intended to reduce development costs and accelerate the deployment of predictive assistance features.

Manuela Locarno Ajayi, SVP of Product Engineering, TomTom, said, “Accurate and trusted speed information is foundational to road safety, regulatory compliance and automated driving at scale. With Unified Speed Restrictions, we are equipping automakers with a globally consistent, future‑ready foundation that reduces complexity, enabling higher levels of automation.”

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Detroit Engineered Products (DEP) has introduced DEP AIWorks, an engineering platform designed to integrate machine learning with physics-based simulation. The launch follows the conclusion of a five-city industry conclave held across Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai.

DEP AIWorks is built as a physics-agnostic and tool-agnostic environment, allowing it to function across various datasets and engineering domains. The platform combines neural networks and physics-informed models with computer-aided engineering (CAE) solvers to provide predictive and generative capabilities within the product development lifecycle.

Core features of the platform include modular architecture, operational speed and ecosystem compatibility.

The platform is intended for use in the automotive, aerospace, energy, manufacturing and telecommunications sectors. It supports various stages of development, from early design exploration to manufacturing validation. By utilising data-driven learning alongside physics-based validation, the system aims to improve engineering productivity and accelerate decision-making cycles.

Radha Krishnan, President & Founder, DEP, said, “DEP AIWorks reflects the next step in how engineering organisations will adopt AI, not as a standalone tool, but as an integrated part of the product development lifecycle. By combining decades of simulation expertise with advances in AI, we are enabling teams to move faster while maintaining engineering rigor and reliability.”

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German tier 1 supplier ZF has introduced SolarBoost, a retrofittable solar panel system designed to support the 24-volt on-board electrical systems of city buses and coaches. The technology generates electricity during vehicle operation to recharge batteries, intended to reduce fuel consumption and maintenance requirements for fleet operators.

The system reduces the load on the drive engine by providing an alternative power source for on-board systems, which are traditionally supplied by the alternator. According to ZF, the additional energy can reduce fuel consumption by up to 3.5 percent, depending on weather conditions and application profiles.

The company states that key benefits for operators include battery longevity, as continuous recharging extends battery life. ZF reports potential savings equivalent to one battery per vehicle per year.

Furthermore, it enhances uptime by reduced requirement for stationary battery recharges and lower maintenance frequency. The system includes Bluetooth connectivity, allowing operators to track energy generation in real-time via a mobile application.

SolarBoost utilises a plug-and-play architecture designed for installation in an operator's own workshop using standard tools. The process does not require drilling into the vehicle structure or extensive rewiring, allowing for fleet-wide scaling with minimal disruption to service.

The hardware is engineered to withstand vibrations and weather conditions associated with heavy-duty transit. ZF provides a 5-year warranty and repair kits to support the long-term durability of the flexible panels.

The product is positioned as a scalable solution for bus operators to meet environmental targets. By utilizing renewable energy for electrical loads, the system assists in reducing the carbon footprint of intercity and urban transport fleets. It aligns with ZF’s broader strategy to deliver innovations that improve vehicle efficiency while supporting climate-friendly mobility.

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