Sona BLW taps IIT Hyderabad to step up on drones and eVTOL plans

Sona BLW has signed a MoU With an innovation hub at IIT Hyderabad to explore synergies in Automated Guided Vehicle (AGVs), Drones and EVTOL technology, the company said on January 10.

"The MoU will enable Sona Comstar and TIHAN-IITH to cooperate, synergise strengths and support each other in the areas of Connected, Autonomous and Electric technologies," said Sona BLW. The company designs, manufactures, and supplies precision automotive systems and components to OEMs, and is a supplier to the fast-growing global EV market.

The company has in the past talked about the need to expand beyond the automotive sector to broader mobility areas to achieve a longer term growth ambition. "The partnership aligns with our vision statement as we expand into the broader mobility sector," Vivek Vikram Singh, MD and Group CEO of Sona Comstar said.

Sona BLW Precision has manufacturing and assembly facilities along with R&D centers across India, USA, Serbia, Mexico and China. North America remains Sona Comstar's largest market, contributing 44% to the revenue and India is the second largest market with a revenue share of 28%, as of September quarter. Read more about Sona Comstar's September quarter earnings here.