IISc's FSID, ARAI to establish CoE for innovation and research in mobility sector

The MoU was signed during the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in the presence of HD Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Heavy Industries, and others

The Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) on January 21.

The MoU was signed during the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in the presence of HD Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Heavy Industries, and others

The MoU aims to replicate the product accelerator platform developed under the Pravriddhi programme, launched by FSID at IISc in November 2024. The programme facilitates collaboration among enterprises, academia, research laboratories, and investors to drive innovation in developing products for a self-reliant India, said a statement from FSID.

The partnership will establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE), focusing on research, development, technology innovation, and testing, validation, and engineering services in the mobility space. This CoE will focus on safety, sustainability, and reliability, leveraging mutual human capital, intellectual property, and cutting-edge infrastructure.

Under the MoU, FSID and ARAI will jointly identify and onboard key industry partners to co-create mobility products, stimulating investment in cohort-based development. The programme will prioritise knowledge transfer, offering training through advanced skilling platforms that integrate state-of-the-art software and processes. Eminent experts from both academia and industry will contribute to ensuring that product development meets world-class standards and capabilities.

Prof B Gurumoorthy, director of FSID, said, "We are immensely excited about this MoU. By leveraging IISc’s world-class facilities, R&D expertise, and a robust network of strategic partners across India, we aim to drive innovation, sustainability, and safer mobility solutions. Pravriddhi is a proven programme, built on our experience of running an accelerator in high-speed rotating machinery with the support of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI)."

Reji Mathai, director of ARAI, said, “ARAI, while being a major stakeholder in homologation, developmental testing, and standardisation, has also been fundamental in innovating technologies for sustainable mobility, such as the concept demo of the overhead automated charging device and the hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain, which are on display at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. We are thrilled to showcase these technologies and drive conversations for a greener tomorrow.”

Yogesh Pandit, director, product acceleration (FSID), said, “The MoU between FSID and ARAI marks a significant step in advancing innovation and research in the mobility sector. The collaboration will leverage shared resources, foster government and corporate partnerships, and contribute to the development of cutting-edge solutions that address critical challenges in the mobility landscape. This alliance not only supports mutual growth but also enhances societal impact by enabling the creation of safer and more sustainable mobility systems.”