Due to its large population, India primarily relied on motorized vehicles for the domestic transport of people and goods alike. As the provider of one of the most cost-effective and convenient modes of travel, the automotive sector has a vast presence nationally. Dubbed as an indicator of India’s historical economic growth, the national automotive industry contributes to 7.1% of the country’s GDP. Under such circumstances, the development of the automotive industry is crucial for the nation’s overall development. The contribution of several governmental and private sector organizations has put India’s automotive industry on the path to becoming a global leader.
One such contribution is the collaboration between the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT). With the goal of developing the first-ever advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) in India, this partnership is expected to be a step toward the future. IIT Roorkee boasts a well-established ecosystem for innovation and development. With over 150 smaller startups currently dedicated to creating with an emphasis on quality development rather than monetary gains, the university itself was on the path to becoming a major patron for the Indian automotive industry.
Collaboration with ICAT further catapulted it into the future. Marking the start of the partnership, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on 4th October 2023. The implementation of several revolutionary technologies in the industry would create a massive demand for skill-based profiles, thus promoting the development of a skilled workforce. With a focus on clean mobility via e-development, the resultant technologies would include autonomous driving and artificial intelligence (AI).
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This collaboration is a landmark in the history of India’s automobile sector, especially in the Ministry of Heavy Industries. As expressed by the Director of IIT Roorkee, Prof. K. K. Pant, “Collaboration is the cornerstone of innovation, and this partnership between IIT Roorkee and ICAT is a testament to our commitment to driving technological progress. Through this collaboration, we aim to unlock new horizons in automotive technology and research, contributing to the growth and sustainability of the Indian automotive industry. We are confident that IIT Roorkee and ICAT will bring the best in class to the global automotive industry. With India’s promising potential in next-generation mobility, this initiative aligns seamlessly with the Ministry of Heavy Industry’s support for startups and academia, echoing the government’s vision and mission.
This collaboration promises to drive innovation and impact India’s automotive landscape, bolstering the nation’s journey towards self-reliance and technological excellence.” In accordance with the government’s ideologies of a cleaner, greener, and more advanced future, the joint venture is yet to produce several cutting-edge technologies focused on a sustainable future. The sustainable spirit and collaborative visions are set to initial significant transformations that will ultimately expedite the dream of Viksit Bharat set for 2047.
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