Image for representational purpose only.

In an effort to boost its design and engineering capabilities, TVS Motor Company, a major manufacturer of two- and three-wheeled vehicles based in Chennai, has opened a new Global Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bologna, Italy.

As part of this new initiative, TVS has also acquired Engines Engineering S.p.A., an Italian company known for its expertise in high-performance motorcycle design, advanced prototyping, and MotoGP racing.

The new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together TVS Motor's global research and development (R&D) teams with Engines Engineering's specialists. This collaboration aims to speed up the development of new products, create unique designs and strengthen TVS Motor’s technological leadership.

The CoE will also help enhance the capabilities of Norton Motorcycles, a British brand owned by TVS Motor Co. The goal is to support Norton’s mission to produce modern, high-end motorcycles with top-tier performance and design. 

Sudarshan Venu, Chairman, TVS Motor Company, said, “The establishment of the new Italian Global Centre of Excellence marks another milestone in strengthening our capabilities and accelerating our journey to reimagine mobility. By combining the creativity and racing expertise of Engines Engineering with our engineering and design strengths, we are expanding our ability to deliver premium, connected, and electric vehicles that set new global benchmarks. Importantly, this Centre of Excellence further augments Norton’s capabilities, enabling it to advance its craft of exceptional high-performance motorcycles that not only honour its iconic legacy but also elevate its future ambitions.”

The new centre will concentrate on three key areas to achieve its goals:

• Design and Engineering: The CoE will focus on using advanced tools for digital simulation and rapid prototyping. This will allow TVS to develop new vehicle platforms faster and set new standards for performance and reliability.
• Future Technology: The centre will accelerate the use of AI-driven design tools and advanced materials. The aim is to create vehicles that are more connected, sustainable, and intuitive for riders.
• Global Talent: The CoE will be a hub for attracting top-tier engineering and design talent. It will also foster a collaborative ecosystem by partnering with universities, startups, and suppliers to create innovative solutions.

This initiative is expected to help TVS Motor shorten its product development cycles and increase flexibility in design. It will also expand the company’s portfolio of premium vehicles, including high-performance motorcycles, advanced scooters and new electric platforms. This deeper engineering expertise will also benefit the British brand Norton Motorcycles, helping it strengthen its position as a modern luxury brand with a strong pipeline of new, high-performance bikes.

BYD has updated its warranty terms for the Blade Battery in Europe, increasing the mileage limit to 250,000km while maintaining the 8-year duration. The extension applies to both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and Super Hybrids and includes a guaranteed State of Health (SOH) of at least 70 percent. This change is retroactive, covering existing owners alongside new customers.

The Blade Battery utilises lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which avoids the use of nickel and cobalt. Its design allows cells to act as structural elements, increasing the vehicle's torsional rigidity. This configuration reduces the volume occupied by the battery by 50 percent compared to traditional designs, intended to optimise interior space.

The battery has undergone testing, including nail penetration, where surface temperatures remained below 60deg Celsius. It has also been subjected to overcharge tests, oven tests at 300deg Celsius, and crush evaluations. According to BYD, the battery can exceed 3,000 charge and discharge cycles, indicating a service life of approximately 1.2 million kilometres.

Current models utilising this technology include the BYD SEAL, which reports a range of 570km on the combined cycle and the BYD SEALION 7, capable of DC charging from 30 percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes at a power of 230 kW.

Under the new terms, the specific battery cover sits alongside the standard vehicle warranty of six years or 150,000km. The electric drive unit remains covered for eight years or 150,000km, while the anti-perforation warranty continues at 12 years with unlimited mileage. The extension is designed to address user confidence regarding the longevity of energy storage systems in the European market.

Suzuki R&D Center India (SRDI), a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, has launched the Suzuki e-Micromobility Innovation Lab for Ecosystem (SMILE). Located within the International Automobile Center of Excellence (iACE) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the facility functions as a platform to develop Versatile micro e-Mobility (VmeM) solutions.

The laboratory connects technology from Japan with ideas from Indian startups and component manufacturers. The objective is to design mobility systems from a customer perspective and strengthen co-creation within the Indian ecosystem. The VmeM platform, previously announced in Japan as MITRA, was showcased during the Vibrant Gujarat event in Rajkot on 11-12 January before the opening ceremony on 13 January.

SMILE operates within iACE, an institution founded in 2015 by the Government of Gujarat and Maruti Suzuki India. The centre focuses on training and skill development, having provided education to over 10,000 individuals in automotive engineering and mobility systems. The establishment of SMILE follows a memorandum of understanding signed between iACE and SRDI in December 2024.

The lab intends to integrate vehicle manufacturing with technology from the startup sector to address infrastructure needs. Target applications include warehousing, air cargo, manufacturing plants, agriculture, and municipal services.

Katsuhiro Kato, Director and Executive Vice-President, Suzuki Motor Corporation, said, “We are pleased to see the VmeM, designed and developed by Suzuki, introduced in India through Suzuki R&D Center India. The VmeM platform represents Suzuki’s commitment to evolving future mobility. With the launch of SMILE at iACE, we will work closely with Indian industry, startups and government stakeholders to drive co-creation on valuable mobility solutions that support growth and sustainability. We also aim to serve the role as a key base for the global deployment of the VmeM platform by promoting continuous technological development.”

The initiative positions Gujarat as a base for the global deployment of the VmeM platform through ongoing technological development and stakeholder collaboration.

Steelbird Hi-Tech India, one of the largest helmet and two-wheeler accessories brands, has launched Base X, a smart riding technology integrated into the Steelbird Fighter helmet range. The system is designed to provide connectivity and control for riders while maintaining a focus on safety standards.

The Base X system features a magnetic lock that serves as a power control, activating the device when the buckle is secured and switching it off when removed. The technology includes hands-free music control for track navigation and volume adjustment. It also integrates with voice assistants, allowing users to activate Google Assistant or Siri via a button on the helmet.

The technology offers three riding modes – Glide, Beast and Relax – which can be toggled using a dedicated button. For visibility, the system includes customisable rear indicator lights. The unit is powered via a Type-C charging port and provides up to 48 hours of playback.

The Fighter helmet housing this technology uses a high-impact shell design and a ventilation system. The product is priced at INR 5,999, aiming to make smart features accessible within the Indian market.

Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director, Steelbird Hi-Tech India, said, “Riding today is not just about reaching a destination — it’s about the experience along the way. With Base X, Steelbird is introducing a new era of smart riding technology that allows riders to control essential functions effortlessly while staying focused on the road. This innovation reflects our vision of blending safety, comfort, and technology into every ride.”

SiMa.ai and Kaynes Semicon have announced a strategic partnership to develop hardware and software for physical AI. The collaboration focuses on localising semiconductor packaging in India to improve supply-chain resilience and market delivery times.

The partners will deliver electronic systems for industries including industrial automation, robotics, automotive, aerospace and defence. Kaynes Semicon will utilise its assembly and testing capabilities to produce reference boards for SiMa.ai’s machine learning system-on-chip (MLSoC) platforms. This hardware is intended to allow system integrators to deploy AI inference technology at the edge and move from proof-of-concept to commercialisation.

The partnership includes the joint delivery of AI solutions for mission-critical requirements in smart vision, surveillance, and autonomous systems. This initiative supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by fostering research, development and custom product innovation for strategic sectors in India.

Krishna Rangasayee, CEO and Founder, SiMa.ai, said, “India’s engineering talent and manufacturing scale are fundamental to our mission of democratising edge machine learning. This partnership with Kaynes Semicon aligns perfectly with SiMa.ai’s commitment to deliver effortless ML for every industry, from defence to industrial automation and beyond. Together, we are setting new benchmarks in making India a global force in physical AI".

Raghu Panicker, CEO, Kaynes Semicon, added, “Collaborating with SiMa.ai marks a significant leap forward for India’s semiconductor ecosystem. By fusing Kaynes’ advanced OSAT and manufacturing capabilities with SiMa.ai’s world-leading AI at the edge, we’re empowering critical industries to innovate at scale. This partnership is not just about technology – it’s about building a trusted supply chain, delivering value for our customers, and shaping the future of electronics manufacturing in India and worldwide”.