The automotive industry is undergoing one of its biggest disruptions ever, what’s with consumer demand, government policies and the latest technology making their way into the vehicles of tomorrow.

To bring forth discussion and ignite conversation around the topic of Vehicle Dynamics & ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), SAEIndia Northern Section recently held a two-day seminar ‘Motion In Control-IV 2025’ on 6 February 2025. It featured presentations, live demonstrations and a panel discussion, at Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC), Chennai.

The event was supported by ICAT, Maruti Suzuki India, ATS, GARC, AB Dynamics, Tenneco, JK Tyre, 4active, Applus IDIADA, ZF, Stahle, CEAT, Applied Intuition, Rane, Gabriel, Continental, MRF, OXTS and Kiriu Corporation. Motoring Trends was the official media partner for the event.

It brought together industry experts from automakers, component manufacturers, testing equipment manufacturers and even educational institutions to discuss, debate and plan the way forward.

It is no secret that various factors such as consumer awareness, innovative technologies and regulatory push are enabling automakers to incorporate various sensors and AI-enabled tech such as ADAS to become a common sight.

What’s more, while these technologies are quite popular in developed markets, they cannot be simply copied-pasted in India; the adoption is not quite so simple.

The two-day open platform brought forth industry experts to share their views on how conventional vehicle dynamics solutions are paving the way for sensor-based technologies. This not only makes the vehicles safer but also opens the doors for new ways to look at vehicle design, validation and even certification for India-specific challenges.

Day 1

The first day of the event saw Vivek Trivedi, Executive Vice-President – Engineering, Maruti Suzuki India share his views on the topic of ‘Insight of Future Technologies in India related to Vehicle Dynamics & ADAS’.

Dr. Subramaniam K, R&D Head at Ashok Leyland gave a presentation on ‘Vehicle Dynamics in EV: Advantages and Challenges’.

Renji Issac, Senior Vice-President Research & Development, CEAT presented his views on ‘Tyre development in a virtual world’.

Dr. V. Vikraman, Senior Vice-President, Research & Development, Mahindra & Mahindra, gave insights on how the automaker was using the latest technology and tools for development of its high-performance SUVs.

Dr. Ramadhas Arumugam Sakuthalai, Director, GARC, spoke about how Indian testing agencies were prepared to support the automotive industry for their testing needs when it came to Vehicle Dynamics and ADAS solutions.

Amardeep Singh, Vice-Chair, SAEINS and Convenor MIC-IV, and VP – Engineering, Maruti Suzuki India set the context for plenary sessions.

This was followed by Dr. Peter Pfeffer, CEO, Mdynamics presenting his thoughts on ‘Advance Driving Characteristics Development Through Performance – HIL (Hardware in Loop) and Driving Simulator.

The audience also got to understand on what was happening in the field of validation and release of L2/L3 ADAS at scale by Aniruddha Reddy, Head of Sales EMEA & India, Applied Intuition.

In a joint presentation, Piyush Ghongade, Head- Vehicle Dynamics, CEAT and Jagdish Chauhan, Team Lead – NVH, 4W, CEAT spoke about the ‘Role of Vehicle Dynamics in Advanced NVH Tyre Tuning: Challenges and Solutions.’

Dr. Roshi John, Founder & CEO, RoshAI introduced the company’s approach towards self-driving vehicles.

Dr. Rajesh Kannan Megalingam, Associate Professor, Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering, School of Engineering, Amritapuri, gave a presentation on ‘Exploring Autonomous Vehicle Scenarios in Indian Roads: Smart Centre Case Studies’.

The last session of the day saw Vipul Dave, Senior Business Development Manager – UK, Greater Europe & India AB Dynamics give his perspective on Future Trends in ADAS Testing.

Balaji Lenin, General Manager, Rane Brake Linking and Michninari Ishikawa, Manager, Nisshinbo Brake, spoke about the Brake friction material for advanced vehicle technologies.

Jojo Chacko, Technical Product Expert, Vector, spoke about ‘Addressing Challenges in Vehicle Dynamics for ADAS’.

Raunak Santosh, DGM Head – Chassis & Active Safety, IDIADA gave a presentation on ‘Vehicle Dynamics – In the age of new Technological Revolution.’

Day 2

The second day of the event saw Ms. K Rajrajeswari, Senior Engineer, GARC and S Perumal, Manager, GARC gave a presentation on Vehicle Dynamics & ADAS Testing Solutions at GARC.

Sunil Patil, Director Engineering, ZF India spoke about the ‘Scalable ADAS Systems for Emerging Markets’.

Prof C Lashmikanathan of Amrita School of Engineering, brought in the academic perspective on how educational institutions were accelerating vehicle dynamics development using modern test environment and tools.

Cederic Asselineau, Business Development Manager, Stahle, spoke about the evolution in Robotics and Software for human driving style imitation.

Steve Boyle, MD, Moshon Data, shared his view on ADAS & lack of knowledge surrounding it with everyday users.

Prakash Abhayanker, Head India Operations – 4active Systems brought in his perspective on what the Future of ADAS Testing meant for the company.

Rejin Sathianesan, Senior Technical Expert, Bosch gave a presentation on Securing ADAS: ‘Protecting the future of ADAS system’.

In the last session for the event, a panel discussion took place on the topic of ‘Navigating the Future: Bridging ADAS and Vehicle Dynamics for Smarter Driving’. The panellists included – Bob Rupani, Veteran Auto Journalist; Balasubramanian N, VP – Product Engineering, Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre in India; Nagarajan, Vice-President, SAE India; Ramanathan, Vice-Chair, SAEINS & MD, ATS and Hari Krishnan M, Co-Convenor MIC-IV & Senior GM, Engineering, Maruti Suzuki India. A range of topics were discussed ranging from how automakers and suppliers had to make the latest technology work in India but also making it more robust and affordable. The panel was moderated by Nilesh Wadhwa, Assistant Editor, Motoring Trends.

The event also saw partner organisations give demonstrations on technologies such as – Automated Emergency Braking (AEB), self-parking technology, automatic braking and cruise control among others.

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Tata Technologies has announced the completion of the 3^rd edition of its innovation hackathon, InnoVent 2026, supported by Amazon Web Services (AWS). The initiative invited engineering students to develop solutions for mobility challenges in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. The programme received participation from 10,247 students across 404 colleges in India, resulting in 2,822 projects.

The competition focused on the theme of intelligence-driven mobility for the year 2030. Participants received over 650 hours of mentoring and training from subject matter experts to convert their concepts into prototypes. The top 10 teams presented their work at the company's Hinjewadi campus in Pune before a jury of industry leaders from Jaguar Land Rover, Air India and ES-Tec Group.

Team Drushti from CMR College of Engineering & Technology, Hyderabad, secured the first prize of INR 300,000 for a system that customises vehicle infotainment for visually impaired drivers. Second place went to Team The T-Factor from Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, for an AI-based breakdown prevention system. Team SwarmSync from the International Institute of Information Technology (I²IT), Pune, took third place for an intelligent fleet management solution using V2X communication.

Tata Technologies offered career opportunities to all 42 finalists involved in the top projects. Furthermore, all participants were granted one-year access to the iGETIT learning platform to study emerging technologies. The finalist projects covered areas such as blockchain for vehicle security, wireless charging for electric vehicles, and AI-led battery monitoring.

The event featured a humanoid robot that performed roles such as coordinating panel discussions and interacting with attendees. A panel of industry experts discussed the global demand for engineering talent and the impact of technology on future mobility.

Warren Harris, MD & CEO, Tata Technologies, said, "InnoVent at Tata Technologies represents our conviction that the future is shaped by those who combine engineering excellence with human purpose to engineer a better world".

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Kia India has announced the re-launch of its Kia Inspiring Drive (K.I.D) Program, debuting alongside the New Kia Seltos. The initiative is a driving score system designed to monitor real-time behaviour and provide insights into habits. Accessed via the Kia Connect app, the programme will be rolled out across the company’s connected vehicle portfolio in phases.

The K.I.D score is calculated using a three-month rolling average based on parameters including rapid acceleration, rapid deceleration and sudden starts. To ensure data accuracy, the system applies a weighted value based on the specific vehicle. This methodology aims to reflect long-term driving patterns rather than isolated incidents.

The programme incorporates community-based leaderboards, allowing owners to compare scores and track their standing within the Kia community. By turning road safety into an interactive experience, the manufacturer intends to encourage responsible driving through recognition and competition.

The behaviour-based scoring system provides data to help users understand the impact of their habits on road safety. Kia is supporting the re-launch with a digital and press campaign to increase awareness among its customer base.

Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President – Marketing & Sales, Kia India, said, “Safety remains at the core of Kia’s philosophy, and with the re-launch of the Kia Inspiring Drive program alongside the New Seltos, we are taking another meaningful step towards encouraging responsible driving behaviour. By offering customers clear, data-driven insights into their driving patterns, the KID program empowers them to make safer choices on the road, while also enhancing their overall ownership experience.”

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HARMAN has partnered with Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPVL) to provide the in-cabin technology for the all-new Tata Sierra. The collaboration introduces 5G-ready connectivity and a multi-speaker audio system to the SUV, marking an expansion of the 12-year relationship between the two companies.

The vehicle features HARMAN Ready Connect, a suite of telematics control units (TCUs) manufactured at HARMAN’s facility in Pune. The system utilises a modular network access device architecture, allowing for a transition from 4G to 5G technology. It supports safety functions such as emergency calling, stolen-vehicle tracking and roadside assistance, alongside productivity features like video conferencing and high-definition streaming.

The interior includes a Horizon View Display and a digital instrument cluster powered by HARMAN’s infotainment architecture. The system supports gaming with joystick compatibility and features a Ready Link Marketplace, which allows users to download third-party Android applications.

For driver assistance, the Sierra incorporates a Surround View System (SVS) and 4sight Blind-Spot Monitoring. Navigation is provided through a native mapping solution from MapmyIndia. The cabin experience also includes ‘Relax Mode’ for sensory visuals and 'Silent Mode' to mute non-regulatory alerts.

The SUV introduces a 12-speaker JBL audio system, which includes an enclosed subwoofer and a soundbar. This configuration supports Dolby Atmos and represents a first for an Indian manufacturer. The integration of these components is intended to provide a multi-dimensional sound profile tailored to the vehicle's cabin.

By localising the production of the telematics hardware in India, HARMAN aims to provide TMPVL with greater supply-chain agility and shorter development cycles. The ‘Make-in-India’ initiative for Ready Connect ensures the technology is adapted to local driving conditions and consumer requirements.

Suman Sehra, VP, Portfolio Management, Connectivity at HARMAN International, said, “HARMAN Ready Connect represents the shift toward software-defined, experience-led mobility, and the new Tata Sierra is a perfect expression of that evolution. By collaborating closely with TMPV’s R&D team, we focused on value co-creation and delivered a platform that brings high-performance connectivity, scalable architecture, and future-ready digital services to support the connected digital life.”

Mohan Savarkar, Chief Product Officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, added, “With the Sierra, our focus was to create a cabin experience that feels as advanced and intuitive as the world our customers live in. Connectivity, digital interfaces and audio are no longer add-ons—they define how people engage with their vehicle every day. Our collaboration with HARMAN enables us to deliver a future-ready architecture, immersive in-cabin experiences and premium audio.”

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Sterling Tools has entered into a partnership with MINIEYE, a Hong Kong-listed developer of intelligent driving and in-cabin solutions. The collaboration focuses on the deployment of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) tailored specifically for the Indian automotive market.

As per the agreement, Sterling Tools will lead application engineering and on-ground adaptation. This involves tuning perception algorithms to account for Indian road scenarios, traffic patterns, and environmental conditions. The project aims to ensure that safety technologies, such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Lane Departure Warning Systems (LDWS), function reliably in local settings rather than relying on global configurations.

The partnership is positioned to meet upcoming Indian safety mandates. Effective 1 January 2027, regulations will require the fitment of ADAS and Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning Systems (DDAWS) in new vehicle models. The scope of the collaboration covers both commercial and passenger vehicles, including technologies for Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Blind Spot Monitoring.

MINIEYE provides technology that complies with EU General Safety Regulations and holds Automotive SPICE V4.0 CL3 certification. Sterling Tools is supporting this transition as part of a broader expansion into electronics and safety-critical components, which includes electric vehicle power electronics and motor solutions.

Anish Agarwal, Director, Sterling Tools, said, “Road safety and regulatory compliance are becoming increasingly important across both commercial and passenger vehicle segments in India. This collaboration allows us to work with a global technology partner to address the growing need for driver assistance and monitoring systems that are engineered for Indian operating conditions. At Sterling Tools, our focus remains on supporting OEMs with engineered, safety critical technologies aligned with upcoming regulatory requirements.”

Dr Liu Guoqing, Founder and Chairman, MINIEYE, added, “Partnering with Sterling Tools marks a vital step in bringing intelligent driving to India, leveraging Sterling Tools local expertise to translate technology into production-ready applications that enhance vehicle safety.”

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