With a priority to provide a seamless customer experience by tackling common pain points like ride rejections among others, the app-cab aggregator Rapido has established cab zones at airports in cities like Visakhapatnam and Surat. 
Keen to expand its presence, the company is working to expand its reach to other cities with airports such that it can tap airport routes with competitive fares and well-conditioned vehicle fleet. 
Revealing that they are expanding their airport services across other metro cities in the current quarter of FY2024025, Rapido Cabs Head, Rajiv Bhyri, mentioned at an event in Kolkata that they see airport routes as a key area for growth due to the high demand for reliable, round-the-clock transportation options. 
“With the increasing number of travellers, we believe our airport services will offer riders the lowest prices while our zero-commission model maximises captains' earnings,” he averred. 
Providing an insight into Rapido’s strategy to address the ride rejections faced by commuters that use app-based aggregators, Bhyri said, “Rapido is focused on providing a seamless customer experience and resolving common pain points such as ride rejections that many commuters face with app-based aggregators. With the rise in airport traffic, our strategy emphasises affordability and reliability. By offering competitive fares and maintaining a fleet of well-maintained vehicles, we aim to ensure a dependable and pleasant journey for our customers.”
Entering an association with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Rapido has already began offering affordable and seamless commute solutions to travellers at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata. The service was inaugurated by State Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty. State Transport Secretary Dr Saumitra Mohan and others were also present. 
To set up dedicated cab service zones at Kolkata Airport where travellers can easily access safe, reliable and budget-friendly rides through its platform, Rapido is emphasising on tech-powered SaaS business model. This business model is designed to guarantee real-time ride availability and highly competitive pricing. 
"With the launch of this service at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, we're not just offering cost-effective travel solutions but also creating valuable employment opportunities for our local drivers. The technology-driven approach aligns with our vision of making West Bengal a leader in smart mobility and we're confident this initiative will set new benchmarks,” expressed Chakraborty.
Rapido Co-founder Pavan Guntupalli explained: "At Rapido, our mission is to revolutionise mobility by delivering reliable, safe and affordable solutions through innovation. Our collaboration with the Airports Authority of India to introduce dedicated cab zones at major airports is a significant step in enhancing the traveller experience while empowering local communities through job creation. With Rapido’s technology-driven platform, passengers can expect seamless airport commutes at the most competitive prices."
 

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German luxury automotive company Audi has officially introduced the Audi Nuvolari, its first-ever supercar featuring a high-performance hybrid powertrain. The company believes it is destined to become the fastest and most powerful production vehicle in the history of the brand. Production of the vehicle will be strictly limited to 499 units with customer deliveries scheduled to commence in the first half of 2027.

Named after the legendary, fearless pre-war racing driver Tazio Nuvolari, the pre-production prototype represents a monumental shift for the manufacturer. It serves as the pioneering production model to debut Audi’s brand-new, visceral design philosophy.

The technical core of the Audi Nuvolari features a complex hybrid system sporting four distinct drive units that push out a combined maximum system output of 736 kW (1,001 PS).

It uses a mid-mounted 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine that generates 588 kW (800 hp) and 730 Nm of torque. Heavily derived from motorsports, it revs up to an impressive 10,000 rpm. The engine is further complemented by three axial flux electric motors, which include two oil-cooled axial flux motors on the front axle, outputting up to 2,150 Nm of torque and enabling fully variable torque vectoring. A third electric motor is sandwiched between the mid-mounted engine and the transmission. The system relies on a lithium-ion battery with a gross capacity of 7.3 kWh.

The Audi Nuvolari has a claimed acceleration of zero to 100 kmph in under 2.6 seconds, upto 200 kmph in 6.8 seconds and a top speed exceeding 350 kmph.

To safely manage extreme velocities, Audi worked closely with its Formula 1 drivers to refine the car's aerodynamics. The vehicle features an S-duct – a vented front end that channels air to increase front-axle downforce while reducing lift – and a deployable adaptive rear wing. The wing automatically morphs through three operational configurations: Closed (minimising drag), Low Downforce (LD) and High Downforce (HD).

In its peak HD setting, the aero package generates more than 400 kg of downforce. Drivers can also manually deploy a steering-wheel-mounted Drag Reduction System (DRS) on straights to lower the wing and bleed off drag.

Structurally, the supercar utilises the renowned Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology but pairs it with an all-carbon fibre exterior for the first time in brand history. Virtually all body panels are built using high-tech prepreg autoclave technology to ensure maximum rigidity with minimal mass. Forged centre-lock wheels also make their production debut on this vehicle.

Quattro Predictive Ride

The vehicle premieres quattro predictive ride, an advanced evolution of Audi's signature all-wheel-drive system. Using a highly responsive vehicle state model fed by real-time telemetry (including yaw rate, steering angles and grip levels), the car proactively calculates traction thresholds.

Before a tyres-slip event can occur in a corner, the car seamlessly modulates longitudinal and lateral torque vectoring, tweaks active aero downforce and applies targeted brake interventions to stabilise the chassis.

Through physical rotary dials on the steering wheel, drivers can select from four core modes, plus a dedicated track setting:

• E-Hybrid: For fully electric, emissions-free urban driving.
• Balanced: Prioritises everyday driving comfort, efficiency and baseline performance.
• Dynamic: Optimises throttle response and sharpens cornering precision.
• Dynamic+: Focuses the entire hybrid powertrain on delivering maximum emotional performance.
• Track Mode: Tailors traction control behaviour to specific track environments, allowing drivers to manually step settings across Wet, Dry, Race, or completely Traction Control Off (TC Off).

The Nuvolari employs a motorsport-derived brake-by-wire system with an energy absorption capability of up to 2.8 megawatts. It permits purely electric regeneration up to 0.3 g before seamlessly engaging its hydraulic anchors.

The physical hardware consists of the new Audi Ceramic Pro braking system, utilising Formula 1 long-fibre carbon brake discs and a custom internal cooling design that boosts thermal dissipation by 21 percent over conventional carbon-ceramic brakes. Massive 10-piston fixed calipers clamp down on 420x40 mm discs at the front axle, while 4-piston calipers handle 410x32 mm discs at the rear.

The cockpit layout strips away secondary digital clutter, keeping all vital human-machine interface (HMI) menus directly inside the driver's primary line of sight. The visual identity features anodised aluminium accents and premium lightweight carbon-fibre bucket seats.

The interior is cleverly split into two distinct colour zones: a dark, muted front cabin designed to optimise high-speed driving concentration and a lighter Shadow Dune layout in the rear.

In a historic nod to Audi's rich racing heritage, the colour accents utilised across the digital HMI screens are styled as a direct tribute to the legendary 1930s Auto Union Type C speed-record race cars.

Gernot Dollner, Chairman of the Board of Management, Audi AG, said, “With the Audi Nuvolari, we are accelerating technological progress. It shows what is possible when the focus is on technology, performance, and execution through teamwork – and when we achieve progress together.”

Rouven Mohr, CTO, Audi, added, “With the Audi Nuvolari, our entire team has once again demonstrated its technical expertise, innovative strength, and dedication. This is reflected not only in the vehicle’s performance and its Formula 1-inspired technologies, but also in the ability to transfer innovations quickly and precisely into a production vehicle.”

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French tier 1 supplier Valeo has expanded its presence in the electric vehicle ecosystem with the introduction of its advanced smart charging product range. The new lineup is being showcased at the Drive to Zero event at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

For the first time, the company is demonstrating its new Ineez AC charging station, which features native integration of bidirectional Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology and the ISO 15118-20 communication protocol. The implementation transforms the traditional vehicle charging point into an active hub capable of optimising local energy flows and reducing user costs by allowing real-time interaction between electric vehicles and the power grid.

The core software and hardware architecture powering Valeo's V2G charging equipment utilises a technology platform originally engineered by IoTecha, which is now owned by Valeo.

This system combines updated communication networks with a cloud-based IoT.ON management platform to secure baseline interoperability between the EV, the charger and the local utility provider.

It utilises ISO 15118-20 protocol, which serves as a secure, universal digital interface between the vehicle and the hardware to guarantee ultra-secure data transfers and support bidirectional energy flows. Embedded software stacks allow for localised implementation of varying international grid codes, optimising hardware functionality according to specific geographic requirements.

The autocharge feature streamlines the consumer charging process by incorporating automatic, cardless user authentication upon plug-in. The bidirectional power flow enables electric vehicles to feed stored energy back into power grids or localised buildings during peak energy demand periods, serving as a functional tool for asset monetisation.

At the event, Valeo is exhibiting its full Ineez commercial portfolio, structured to target residential, commercial, industrial and fleet applications including – Smart Unidirectional (V1G) AC Stations, Advanced Bidirectional (V2G) AC Stations, Energy Management Systems and Ancillary Hardware.

Isabelle D’Ambrosio, Vice-President of Smart Mobility, Valeo, said, “At Valeo, we are combining our industrial excellence and software protocols, to make advanced energy flexibility both accessible and future-proof for our customers, expanding our reach beyond the traditional automotive technology. We are proud to present our latest Ineez AC charging station that offers Vehicle-to-grid technology as well as the latest communication protocol that secures a safe interface between the vehicle and the charging station.”

Oleg Logvinov, Founder, IoTecha, added, “As EV infrastructure becomes woven into the fabric of daily life – from the driveway to the highway – the potential for asset monetisation scales exponentially. IoTecha’s platform, now a part of Valeo’s global ecosystem, bridges the gap between simple charging and smart monetisation. We aren’t just charging vehicles; we are providing a one-stop shop to turn every EV into a high-performance revenue engine.”

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Synopsys, Inc., a prominent provider of silicon-to-systems design solutions, will host its annual flagship Synopsys User Group (SNUG) India 2026 conference at the Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel on 18 June 2026.

The one-day event serves as a collaborative platform for semiconductor design engineers, technology executives and ecosystem partners across India's electronics and systems engineering sectors to discuss developments in the era of pervasive artificial intelligence.

The conference will open with a keynote presentation delivered by Ravi Subramanian, Chief Product Management Officer at Synopsys, titled ‘Re-Engineering the Future of Silicon’. The address will examine the structural transformations occurring within engineering design and development workflows, driven by specific technical shifts:

• AI and Agentic Workflows: Exploring how machine learning and autonomous agent frameworks are optimising traditional silicon layout and verification pipelines.
• Silicon-to-Systems Innovation: Evaluating the accelerating convergence of standard silicon design, multiphysics analysis and intelligent system engineering to manage high design complexity.
• Accelerated Innovation Cycles: Addressing the challenges organisational engineering teams face during truncated development timelines for complex semiconductor products.

As software-defined architectures and AI transform product development paradigms, SNUG India 2026 will run multi-track sessions detailing next-generation engineering workflows. The technical program will incorporate peer-reviewed customer presentations, expert panels and technical deep-dives covering – AI-enabled semiconductor engineering & automation tools; 3DIC and advanced packaging; managing signal integrity & layout density in multi-dye chip architectures; multiphysics chip design & hardware-assisted verification systems and design methodologies for software-defined systems.

Sudeep Kallappa Shivalli, Regional Senior Director, Go To Market at Synopsys, said, “SNUG India 2026 reflects the spirit of collaboration and innovation that has defined the Synopsys Users Group community for over three decades. As engineering teams navigate unprecedented complexity driven by AI, intelligent systems and software-defined products, platforms like this becomes increasingly important for bringing together customers, partners and technology experts to exchange insights, share experiences and collectively shape the future of innovation.”

File photo: Synopsys 2025

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Pune-based automotive component manufacturer Varroc Engineering has announced inked a Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Suzhou Tolyy Optronics Co (TOLYY).

The strategic partnership establishes a joint framework for select programs to localise and supply next-generation digital cockpit solutions for global passenger and commercial vehicle platforms.

The alliance establishes a co-development and manufacturing platform aimed at securing joint market participation across India, Europe and North America.

As per the understanding, TOLYY will support Varroc through a multi-tiered supply and localisation engineering model. This flexible framework includes two primary supply paths: the delivery of fully integrated display modules – encompassing display panels, backlight units, touch interfaces, protective enclosures and electronic control units (ECUs) – as well as screen-only component supply intended for localised final assembly within India.

Varroc will utilise these components to manage the overall system integration, technical validation and manufacturing of advanced automotive display solutions tailored to diverse vehicle applications.

The structural cooperation model is organised around three strategic operational pillars – program-specific module supply, localised Indian assembly and industrialisation rights.

This decentralised production approach is projected to accelerate product time-to-market, strengthen automotive component supply chain resilience and meet rising OEM demand for localised, high-technology electronics.

Dhruv Jain, Whole Time Director and CEO of Varroc Business II, said, “At Varroc, our endeavour is to deliver brilliance at scale by seamlessly integrating global innovation with localised execution. This partnership with TOLYY strengthens our ability to offer cutting-edge digital cockpit capabilities while enhancing supply chain resilience and supporting OEMs to provide safe, smart and sustainable mobility solutions.”

Strong Shi, President and CEO, TOLYY, added, “TOLYY is excited to embark on this strategic partnership with Varroc, a recognised leader in global automotive manufacturing. This alliance is a testament to the industry’s recognition of our cutting-edge display engineering and integrated module capabilities. By combining our advanced technologies with Varroc’s scale and deep customer access, we are not just supplying components but co-creating the next generation of digital cockpit experiences for key markets worldwide. This partnership accelerates our shared vision of setting new benchmarks for performance, quality and supply chain efficiency in automotive displays.”

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