NOVA-Tata Elxsi collaborate on rail safety Kavach 4.0, inaugurate facility in Bengaluru

NOVA Control Tecnologix (NOVA), a deep-tech subsidiary of e2E Transportation Infrastructure Limited, on October 23 launched as a Rail Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) with full-stack R&D, manufacturing, and integration capabilities.

NOVA has partnered with Tata Elxsi to co-develop Kavach 4.0, the next-generation indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, at its new facility near the Railway Wheel Factory on Doddaballapur Main Road in Yelahanka.

Karnataka IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge said, "The collaboration between NOVA and Tata Elxsi on Kavach 4.0 showcases Karnataka's leadership in engineering and technology. This Indian-made safety system could save thousands of lives and set new global benchmarks in railway safety and innovation."

Kharge also proposed setting up a Centre of Excellence for Railway and Mobility Innovation in Karnataka. “With our infrastructure, talent, and technology - from IoT and chip design to manufacturing and simulation - we are ready to build solutions in Karnataka for the country and the world,” he said.

Under the partnership, NOVA will act as the primary OEM, responsible for manufacturing, testing, and integration. Tata Elxsi will lead hardware and software design, prototypes, safety certification (RDSO standards and SIL4 compliance), and cybersecurity engineering.

"We bring deep expertise in designing safety-critical systems for railways, including embedded systems, hardware and software development, testing, and cybersecurity," Jayaraj Rajapandian, head of rail, Tata Elxsi, said.

Sourajit Mukherjee, CEO, NOVA, added: "We are proud to co-develop the Kavach ATP system, enhancing railway safety through indigenous innovation and delivering world-class signalling technology tailored for India."