Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has announced a new partnership with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) aimed at fostering innovation and creating business opportunities for startups in both India and Japan.

The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), seeks to bridge the startup ecosystems of the two nations.

The MoU was formally exchanged by Dr Tapan Sahoo, Executive Officer, Digital Enterprise, Maruti Suzuki India and Takashi Suzuki, Chief Director General, JETRO India, Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, was also present during the signing.

As per the understanding, Maruti Suzuki India and JETRO will work together to help Indian startups gain access to Japan's innovation landscape, while Japanese startups will similarly have the opportunity to explore India's vibrant startup ecosystem.

Beyond access, the partnership will facilitate networking and participation for these startups in relevant industry events and activities, connecting them with potential partners. Indian startups selected through Maruti Suzuki's four innovation programs – Accelerator, Incubation, Mobility Challenge and Nurture – will be eligible to participate in these initiatives. Japanese startups, on the other hand, will be able to explore the Indian market through JETRO's support.

Hisashi Takeuchi, said, "Through our multi-format innovation programs, we have been engaging with startups in India to co-create technology-driven solutions relevant to the automobile manufacturing and mobility space. We see great potential in Indian startups, and with this MoU with JETRO, we will be able to provide a platform for these promising startups to explore the Japanese business landscape."

Takashi Suzuki, Chief Director General, JETRO India, said, "Maruti Suzuki stands as one of the finest examples of the successful partnership between India and Japan. With this MoU, we are creating opportunities for even more fruitful business collaborations between our two nations. This MoU aims to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and further strengthen the deep-rooted ties between India and Japan."

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Rapido, a leading ride-sharing platform in India, has joined forces with the Jaipur Police Commissionerate to launch a new initiative focused on improving women's safety in the city's public transportation. This partnership, which follows a week-long awareness campaign, will see the installation of dashcams in 100 Rapido cabs to enhance ride monitoring and emergency response times.

Rapido stated that at present, 40 percent of its cab users in Jaipur are women. The initiative, titled ‘Sashakt Nari – Zimmedari Hamari’ (Empowered Women – Our Responsibility), was flagged off by Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph and Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajarshi Raj. The campaign underscores the shared responsibility of citizens, service providers and law enforcement in ensuring women can travel safely and with confidence.

Rajarshi Raji said, "Women's safety is a collective responsibility that goes beyond the role of the police. When communities, technology partners, and law enforcement work together, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for women. Initiatives like this campaign help build confidence, enabling women to move freely for work, education and daily life."

Sudipta Sen, Senior Manager at Rapido Cabs, noted, "At Rapido, safety is not an add-on; it is the foundation of every ride. With 40% of cab users in Jaipur being women, our collaboration with Jaipur Police focuses on practical measures that can make every journey safer and more reassuring. By introducing dashcams, providing 24x7 support, and driving awareness campaigns, we are working to make mobility safer, inclusive and truly empowering for women. Our goal is to ensure that every woman in Jaipur should be able to travel with confidence and see mobility as a catalyst for her independence and participation in the city’s growth.”

The dashcams will supplement Rapido's existing safety features, which include an in-app SOS button, real-time ride tracking and a call-masking feature for female customers.

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In a major move set to redefine global connectivity for mobile assets, Luxembourg-based OrbitsIQ Global (OIQ) has completed the acquisition of Munich-based NewSpace startup, UNIO Enterprise. The deal, which combines UNIO’s pioneering connectivity software with OIQ's satellite and terrestrial network capabilities, aims to provide seamless, uninterrupted service to millions of vehicles, boats, planes and autonomous systems worldwide.

The merger is poised to create a ‘ubiquitous bridge’ between cellular and satellite networks, ensuring constant connectivity for mobile assets. The partnership is a significant step towards enabling critical technologies like autonomous driving, smart logistics and predictive maintenance, all of which rely on uninterrupted data flow.

Katrin Bacic, CEO, UNIO Enterprise, said, "Joining OIQ Global marks a turning point for UNIO. With our connectivity expertise and OIQ’s constellation vision, we will redefine how mobility assets connect. This partnership allows us to accelerate our roadmap and deliver the next generation of intelligent connectivity across terrestrial and satellite networks for industries such as automotive, agriculture, logistics and maritime sectors."

Joseph J Euteneuer, CEO, OIQ Global, said, "We are delighted to welcome UNIO Enterprise into the OIQ Global family. Their AI-powered smart-switch connectivity technology is the perfect complement to our global anywhere anytime connectivity vision. Together, we will establish a seamless, multi-band mobility connectivity capability that unlocks new frontiers in efficiency, safety and operational insight around the world."

The companies believe this acquisition positions Europe at the forefront of global telematics innovation, strengthening the continent’s leadership in a field where mobility connectivity has become as essential as fuel.

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Bengaluru-headquartered battery swapping solutions provider Indofast Energy has inked a strategic partnership with Bike Bazaar to deploy 5,000 electric two-wheelers across India over the next 18 months.

As per the understanding, Bike Bazaar will deploy electric two-wheelers powered by Indofast’s battery-swapping network in high-demand corridors and emerging geographies. This will enable delivery operations across key sectors such as quick commerce, e-commerce and food delivery to reduced downtime, lower operating costs and provide uninterrupted operations for fleet operators.

Rajat Malhan, Senior Vice-President, Indofast Energy, said, “Our partnership with Bike Bazaar marks a pivotal moment in accelerating India’s transition to clean mobility. With electric vehicle sales having raced past a million units in the first half of calendar year 2025 alone, the momentum for electrification is undeniable. By deploying 5,000 electric two-wheelers and expanding our battery-swapping infrastructure, we are not only enabling cost-efficient and uninterrupted operations for delivery fleets but also contributing significantly to reducing carbon emissions and fostering a sustainable future”.

Karunakaran Vadakkepat, Co-Founder & Joint Managing Director, Bike Bazaar, said, "We are excited to join hands with Indofast Energy, which will drive electric mobility deeper into India’s last-mile logistics ecosystem. As a leading fleet operator and mobility financier, our focus has always been on empowering gig economy workers with reliable, affordable, and sustainable mobility solutions. This collaboration is a testament to our shared vision of creating a greener, smarter, and more inclusive mobility future for India."

At present, Indofast Energy’s battery swapping tech and network is being used by Zypp Electric, Motovolt, EVeez and Green Tiger Mobility among others.

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Japanese auto major Nissan Motor Corporation has announced a world-first in automotive engineering by adopting cold spray technology to manufacture valve seats for a new turbocharged engine.

This innovation is being introduced in the company's third-generation e-Power hybrid powertrain, which debuted in the new Qashqai compact crossover produced at Nissan’s Sunderland factory in the UK.

The new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is specifically designed to generate electricity for the e-Power system. By using cold spray technology, Nissan engineers can spray a durable metal coating directly onto the cylinder head, eliminating the need for a separate, traditional valve seat. This allows for an optimised port design that enhances air flow and combustion efficiency, raising the engine's thermal efficiency to 42 percent.

Unlike conventional methods like fusion welding, the cold spray process bonds metal powders at supersonic speeds without melting them. This results in a superior, highly durable coating with excellent adhesion.

The first vehicle to feature this groundbreaking technology is the Nissan Qashqai, which began production in July. Following this, the new e-Power system is slated for future models, including the next-generation Rogue for North America and the all-new Elgrand minivan in Japan.

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