American computer technology company Sandisk has introduced what it claims is industry's first automotive grade UFS4.1 interface device – Sandisk iNAND AT EU752 UFS4.1 Embedded Flash Drive (EFD).

This not only strengthens its product portfolio but also supports the automotive industry by enabling faster and secure access to data.

The company's solution will support the requirements of Software Defined Vehicles (SDV), which use high volumes of data along with more frequent over-the-air (OTA) updates. The UFS4.1 interface enables software updates to happen faster.

The new solution is said to provide 2x the performance of Sandisk’s UFS3.1 device and double the capacity previously available in the market. The Sandisk iNAND AT EU752 UFS4.1 is available with upto 1TB of storage space.

Key features of the product include – health status reporting to prevent potential system failures while the vehicle is operating; fast boot replaces the need for a separate NOR device; the fast boot is also critical for safety systems such as rearview camera systems that need to be operational within two seconds.

The UFS4.1 has a claimed write speed of upto 3,900 MBPS and 4,200 MBPS of read speed.

Representational image courtesy: Erik Mclean/Pexels 

Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Tata Motors has attained a new milestone of filing 250 patents and 148 design applications in FY2025, which is also its highest ever in a year.  

The automaker has filed the patents across a multitude of disciplines such as connectivity, electrification, sustainability and safety (CESS), as well as alternative energy mix such as hydrogen-based vehicles and fuel cells.

Furthermore, vehicle systems, including battery, powertrain, body and trim, suspension, brakes, HVAC and emission control, were also part of the patents filed by the automaker.

Interestingly, in FY2025, Tata Motors filed 81 copyright applications and secured 68 patent grants during the year, which translates to 918 patents granted to date.

What’s more, Tata Motors also received five accolades and honours in FY2025, being recognised for its excellence in intellectual property rights (IPR).

Rajendra Petkar, President and Chief Technology Officer, Tata Motors, said, “Our innovation strategy is focused on delivering sustained value to customers while staying ahead of the industry shifts. This milestone reflects our continued pursuit of automotive excellence and reinforces our long-term vision of manufacturing greener, safer and more efficient vehicles. With a growing portfolio of pioneering technologies, we remain committed to supporting nation-building through cutting-edge solutions. Looking ahead, our efforts remain rooted in shaping the future of mobility, serving the evolving aspirations of our customers and communities alike.”

Japanese auto major Nissan has announced that it will launch its next-generation ProPILOT technology from the fiscal year 2027. The system, featuring Nissan Ground Truth Perception technology with next-generation LiDAR and Wayve AI driver software, will enable its vehicles to have advanced autonomous driving with collision avoidance capabilities.

Built on Wayve’s embodied AI foundation model, the technology is claimed to be designed to handle highly complex real-world driving conditions in a human-like manner.

Wayve is a global AI company has trained its foundation model on vast amounts of real-world experience using custom GenAI technology that enables point-to-point driving across urban and highway environments.

South Korean auto major Kia has officially launched its generative AI-powered voice recognition system, AI Assistant, across Europe, following successful rollouts in Korea and the United States in 2024.

The company said that the AI Assistant is designed to revolutionise the in-car experience by enabling natural, conversational interactions, helping drivers and passengers easily access vehicle features and get personalised assistance on the go.

Accessible via a steering wheel button or by saying ‘Hey Kia,’ the AI Assistant can perform a wide range of tasks, which the company claimed goes far beyond traditional voice recognition. Users can ask for restaurant recommendations, travel tips, or even child-friendly scientific explanations, such as why the sky is blue.

One of the system’s standout features is its ability to understand user intent and context, providing smart, accurate responses. The AI Assistant also helps drivers navigate in-car features and driving aids, like recommending the Highway Driving Assistant during heavy traffic.

Kia’s AI Assistant now comes standard on European EV3 models built from March 2025, with previous models receiving the update via Over-the-Air (OTA) technology. More Kia models equipped with the connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) system will receive the AI Assistant as the rollout expands.

With ongoing OTA updates, the AI Assistant will continuously improve, making every drive smoother, smarter and more intuitive.

Airbornics Defence & Space (ADSL), the defence arm of the Punjab-based JCBL Group, has signed a strategic partnership with Slovakia to co-develop and manufacture next-generation technologies for light tanks, future ready combat vehicles (FRCVS) and future infantry combat vehicles (FICVs).

This also marks the first-ever defence MoU between India and Slovakia, which was formalised during an official state visit of the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, to Slovakia.

Rishi Aggarwal, Managing Director, JCBL Group, said, “This partnership signifies more than just a business agreement. It represents a convergence of trust, technology, and transformation. It aligns with our core belief in the make-in-India vision and strengthens India’s position as a global hub for defence innovation.”

As part of the understanding, ADSL will focus on indigenous development and manufacturing of critical combat systems for light tanks, including turrets, active protection systems (APS), remote-controlled weapon systems (RCWS) and human-machine interface (HMI) modules.

The understanding is based on the commitment for technology transfer, operational excellence and co-development of advanced combat platforms tailored for complex terrains and high-altitude environments.