Toyota has accelerated its ‘Green Wave Project’ commemorating this year’s environment month. It is aimed at enhancing its nature conservation activity in the community with the company distributing saplings to its employees, under its sixth challenge that is termed as ‘Establishing a Future Society in Harmony with Nature’ and looks to contribute to the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050. 

While the eco campaign continues to drive active community involvement to promote greenery, through employee engagement, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has successfully distributed over 7000 saplings to its employees, marking significant progress towards its 8,000-sapling target set under its plantation activity. 

With TKM employees encouraged to plant and nurture the distributed saplings within their neighbourhoods and submit periodic reports on plant growth, the it is noteworthy to mention about Toyota’s tree plantation activities that are strongly driven by adopting a unique concept namely the ‘Miyawaki Method of Afforestation’ since 2009, and TKM was the first corporate in India to implement such plantation methodology. TKM’s steadfast commitment to sustainability and ecological restoration is yielding remarkable results, as evidenced by the numerous advantages of the Miyawaki approach. A comprehensive study conducted in collaboration with experts from Bangalore University revealed that the Miyawaki method excels in carbon sequestration, capturing an impressive 30.86 tonnes of carbon per acre.

By doing so, TKM not only restored native habitats but also created self-sustaining ecosystem that contribute to a healthier planet. Under the guidance of Late Dr Akira Miyawaki himself, TKM initiated its maiden Miyawaki plantation drive, way back in 2009, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards conservation of greenery and eco-consciousness. Since that momentous day, TKM's plantation drives have continued to evolve and expanded to 112 acres of green cover within the factory premises, out of which 32 acres of afforestation has been developed using Miyawaki method. Today, Toyota’s manufacturing facility, located in Bidadi (on the outskirts of Bengaluru) proudly boasts more than 328,000 trees of over 790 native species planted within its premises. The results have been truly awe-inspiring with a remarkable increase in biodiversity observed over the years. 

From a mere 181 plant species, the count has surged to an impressive 790, while the number of faunal species has risen from 76 to 284. The vibrant ecosystem now encompasses 88 bird varieties, 38 butterfly species, 107 insects, 17 reptiles, 8 mammals, and 6 amphibians, reflecting the successful development of a thriving native forest ecosystem.

In addition, TKM has created an experiential environmental learning centre ‘Ecozone’ (spread across 25 acres with 17 theme parks and home to 65,000 trees with 650 native species) for children, teachers, community members and other stakeholders, within its manufacturing facility aimed at creating the environment leaders and change champions for the future, to usher in desired behavioural change in the communities. This green zone depicts the creation of dense forest within the plant facility using the ‘Miyawaki Concept’ of plantation. The forests are dominantly planted with species of 4 major forest types such as Dry Deciduous, Moist Deciduous, Semi-evergreen and Evergreen Forest, covering 21 different sub-concepts such as Pollination meadows, herbal garden, plants for spices etc. So far, more than 42,000+ students & other stakeholders have been covered through ecozone initiative.

B Padmanabha, Executive Vice President and Director of Manufacturing - Toyota Kirloskar Motor, averred, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we recognise that environmental and social sustainability are just as crucial as economic progression. Guided by Toyota’s Global Environmental Challenge 2050 (six challenges announced in 2015), our sustainability efforts are far reaching that go beyond product zero emissions. While the first three challenges seek to achieve zero carbon emissions covering the entire life cycle of our products, across manufacturing operations as well as our value chain, the last three challenges focus to achieve water conservation, establishing recycled based society and living in harmony with nature.”

“We believe that a sustainable future is built through collective action and community involvement, as exemplified by one of our eco initiatives - Green Wave Program that covers afforestation (plantation drives, distribution of saplings), sharing best practices (e.g. Miyawaki plantation methodology), creating awareness on nature conservation and imbibing good eco behaviour (Toyota Ecozone – Experiential Eco Learning). Together with our employees and other stakeholders, we aim to catalyse positive change in the community to safeguard the environment to the future,” he added. 

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The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, has announced the readiness of its ambitious and pioneering project, the ‘ADAS Test City’.

The new facility spread across 20 acres in Takwe near Talegaon, Pune, is designed as a pseudo city to replicate the diverse road conditions in India, which will be instrumental to test and validate Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in a safe, secure, repeatable and controlled environment. The idea is to support the development of ADAS solutions to meet the real-world scenarios in India. The ADAS Test City is also the first-of-its-kind such dedicated facility in the country.

Furthermore, ARAI also announced that it will host ‘The ADAS Show’ in association with Aayera, at the new facility on 12 December 2025, where it expects automakers, tier 1 suppliers and technology companies to showcase their innovation and test vehicles.

Dr. Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI said, “ADAS are pivotal in enhancing road safety, and ARAI remains committed to driving the adoption of safe, smart, and sustainable mobility solutions across industry. Our upcoming ADAS Smart City Track represents a landmark initiative – India’s first dedicated proving ground designed to enable automotive and auto-tech manufacturers to rigorously test and validate their technologies in real-world conditions. We thank the Ministry of Heavy Industries for their gracious support under their Capital Goods Scheme which has enabled us to install the modular infrastructure for Verification and Validation of ADAS at the Test City. This facility will play a crucial role in advancing ADAS capabilities by empowering manufacturers to deliver best-in-class safety solutions to consumers. Moreover, this ADAS Smart City Track will not only facilitate but will boost indigenous ADAS/AV technology development from the budding start-up ecosystem. Hence, events such as The Adas Show, organised in collaboration with Aayera, are instrumental in fostering open dialogue and collaborative innovation in the realm of intelligent mobility. We look forward to insightful deliberations and a successful event on 12th December 2025.”

Syed Fareed Ahmed, Director, Aayera, added, “THE ADAS SHOW is India’s definitive platform where automotive leaders, technologists, and innovators converge to showcase and discuss the most advanced driver-assistance and safety technologies. The previous editions were inaugurated by Dr. Hanif Qureshi, IPS, Additional Secretary (Automobiles), Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India at ICAT, and witnessed participation from leading OEMs such as Honda, JSW MG Motors, BMW, Volvo, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki India, alongside global technology leaders including Bosch, ZF, Valeo, Harman, Starkenn, Rosmerta, Dassault Systemes, NXP, Uno Minda and many more. The Adas Show is a dynamic and engaging event that unites vehicle manufacturers, ADAS technology companies and testing equipment providers to present cutting-edge innovations in real-world scenarios.”

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Bengaluru-headquartered engineering R&D service company L&T Technology Services has inked a strategic partnership with Silicon Valley-based SiMa.ai, a leader in Physical AI. The partnership will focus on driving AI-driven solutions across mobility, healthcare, industrial automation and robotics.

As per the understanding, LTTS’ will combine its deep engineering expertise and domain focus with SiMa.ai’s MLSoC ONE platform and software SDK. SiMa.ai will deliver industry-leading AI hardware and software solutions by leveraging LTTS’ core engineering capabilities and human capital investments across key areas such as in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), AD/ADAS, industrial automation & robotics and healthcare.

Amit Chadha, CEO & MD, L&T Technology Services, said, “SiMa.ai cements LTTS’ position as a leader in AI-led ER&D solutions. By combining SiMa.ai’s groundbreaking AI computing technology with our expertise in design and implementation, we are empowering clients across robotics, mobility and healthcare to accelerate time-to-market, enhance operational efficiency and deliver unparalleled value. Together, we are driving the industry forward, embedding intelligence into innovative solutions that are sustainable and scalable.”

Krishna Rangasayee, Founder & CEO, SiMa.ai, said, “Our collaboration with LTTS symbolises the synergy required to scale physical AI applications globally. LTTS brings unmatched engineering capabilities and client reach, making them an ideal partner. By working together, we enable industries to harness the full potential of AI, delivering high performance and power efficiency to clients while simplifying the adoption process.”

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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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