Decoding future: AI, software-defined vehicles & space ambitions
AI and ML: At the Centre of Tomorrow's Mobility
As India's automotive ecosystem evolves, AI and machine learning are no longer just buzzwords—they are actively steering design, production, and predictive maintenance. From real-time decision making in
autonomous systems
to enabling hyper-personalised in-car experiences, AI/ML is becoming core to next-gen vehicle development.
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Tata Technologies Bets Big on Software-Defined Vehicles
With OEMs shifting engineering budgets to software, Tata Technologies is scaling up SDV expertise. The company is deploying embedded systems, virtual validation tools, and AI-powered platforms to help global OEMs transition from traditional mechanical engineering to software-first development cycles.
Full story
Tesla's Grok AI to Debut in Vehicles Next Week
Elon Musk confirmed that Tesla's in-house conversational AI model, Grok, will be available in vehicles starting next week. Grok will enhance in-car voice interaction, knowledge retrieval, and perhaps even entertainment, marking another leap toward AI-integrated smart mobility.
Details here
AI Now Monitors Rental Car Damage—Down to the Ding
Rental agencies are using AI to automate damage detection and dispute resolution. Cameras and machine learning models capture vehicle conditions pre- and post-ride, making it harder to dispute scratches and dents. It's a controversial but growing use case in AI-led asset management.
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What If AI Disappeared from Automotive?
A thought experiment turns into a reality check. Without AI, modern safety systems, real-time navigation, predictive diagnostics, and even EV energy management would collapse. This feature examines how deeply AI has integrated into core mobility systems.
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Silicon Carbide: The EV Efficiency Game-Changer
Silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors are reshaping the EV industry by improving power efficiency, reducing charging times, and extending range. As more OEMs move toward SiC-based inverters and motor controllers, this compound semiconductor is poised to be foundational to next-gen EVs.
Full explainer
Uber's India Pivot: New Affordable & Inclusive Features
Uber has launched a suite of features aimed at improving affordability and access in India. These include vehicle choice filters, upfront fare controls, and accessibility tools, signaling a deeper localisation strategy in one of its biggest growth markets.
Know more
From Highways to Orbit: Why Carmakers Are Going to Space
Toyota and Honda are among the OEMs now exploring space technology. With investments in lunar rovers and satellite systems, automakers are expanding beyond earth-based mobility to support R&D, connectivity, and even planetary exploration.
Discover why
This week, ETAuto offers a comprehensive look at the rapid evolution of automotive technology—from sensors and software to battery innovations, policy shifts, charging infrastructure, and futuristic concepts like hyperloops. Stay with us as we track every turn in the road to tomorrow's
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Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Currently not looking at getting benefits of EV promotion scheme: Volvo Car India MD
Swedish luxury carmaker Volvo is currently not looking at availing of benefits under India's scheme to promote passenger electric vehicles due to existing scale of the industry and will consider bringing plug-in hybrid vehicles in the country if the tax structure is conducive, a top official of its Indian arm said on Friday. Volvo Car India , which launched the refreshed version of its best selling model XC60 in India at an introductory price of ₹71.9 lakh, believes that the entry of new players like Tesla is good for popularising electric vehicles. "We believe right now, with the current scale of our industry, CKD (completely knocked down) offers the best solution. That is what we already have, and we'll continue to do that. As more benefits are seen and we anticipate bigger scale then we can evaluate others," Volvo Car India Managing Director Jyoti Malhotra told PTI. He was responding to a query on whether Volvo Car India is looking to avail of the benefits under the government's Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India. Under the scheme companies are allowed to import up to 8,000 electric four-wheeler units annually at a lower import duty of 15 per cent, against 70-100 per cent currently, provided they commit an investment of ₹4,150 crore for setting up local manufacturing facilities. Malhotra said there are various factors before taking "a call, and one of them is also the scale", adding "we have so many benefits available in India. There are different ways we can make cars in India or import cars in India." When asked about the increase in competition with the entry of the likes of Tesla in India, he said,"I would say we are not looking at anybody as a competitor. They are all different car makers, they are colleagues, they are all welcome to come. I think India needs more, the more the merrier." Asserting that Indian customers need choice, Malhotra said,"We are a huge country. One good thing I can say is that in the last 6-7 months we have seen a lot of interest in electric cars, we have seen a lot of interest in new generation cars and I think it is good... So the entry (of Tesla) is good for the customers." On Volvo Car India's sales growth of EVs, he said,"Within our own portfolio, almost one in four cars, roughly 25 per cent that we sell are electric cars, which is really very will be bringing another electric car, EX30 later this year." The company currently sells two EV models -- EC40 and EX40 -- in India. On the rare earth magnet shortage, Malhotra said,"We are doing assembly. We get our kits from other plants, so we are not directly impacted." On the refreshed XC60, he said it is being assembled at the company's Bengaluru facility along with other models that the company sells in India, he noted. When asked if the company would consider the plug-in hybrid version of the model, he told reporters, "We have a range of mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids... Those are the range that we have in this car (XC60) global portfolio has it but the Indian tax structure is not really conducive as of today." He further noted,"If things change, we can always bring it. So we are keeping a close watch." Under the current regulations hybrid passenger vehicles of length of up to 4 metre and up to 1200 cc petrol engine and up to 1500 cc diesel engine attract 28 per cent GST. On the other hand hybrid passenger vehicles of length above 4 metre or above 1200 cc petrol engine and above 1500 cc diesel engine are taxed at 28 GST with 15 per cent additional cess. "The mild hybrid that we have on offer today with the current (tax) structures that we have in India, I think this is best suited because we can offer the best value to our customers," Malhotra said, adding "but if things change, you can always bring it". On the company's sales growth prospects, he said Volvo Car India is looking at a flattish growth this year as it is in a transition from old platforms to newer ones.
Hans India
39 minutes ago
- Hans India
Decathlon and UK University Launch Circular Cricket Gear Initiative in India
Bengaluru: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, sportswear brand Decathlon has partnered with the UK-based University for the Creative Arts (UCA) to develop mass-market cricket gear rooted in circular economy principles. The collaboration, named the Circular Cricket Gear Partnership (CCGP), aims to redefine how cricket equipment is designed, manufactured, and reused—beginning with gloves and leg guards. The effort brings together Decathlon India's industrial capacity and market insight with the expertise of the Centre for Sustainable Design (CfSD) at UCA. It seeks to create gear that is not only durable and repairable but also designed for disassembly, recycling, and reuse—minimising waste and cost. With India being the largest consumer of cricket gear and cricket forming a central part of its sporting culture, the partners believe the project has the potential to make a global impact. Prototypes are expected by early 2026, and future plans include 'buy-back' schemes and refurbishment programmes aimed at making equipment more accessible for aspiring cricketers. 'This collaboration allows us to evolve not just the game but the way it's equipped,' said Rob Davies, Sport Director for Cricket at Decathlon. CfSD Director Prof Martin Charter added that embedding circularity in cricket gear from India could create scalable models for the global market. The CCGP also aims to become an open-source framework for circular design across other sports, marking what Decathlon calls a 'strategic shift' toward more regenerative and responsible manufacturing.
India Today
39 minutes ago
- India Today
US-based Indian woman says 80-hour week isn't extreme, Internet calls her out
An Indian-origin woman and founder of a US-based startup said that 80-hour work weeks aren't extreme, but rather the 'baseline,' as she shared a timelapse video of a day she worked from dawn to a now-viral post on X, Neha Suresh, founder of April - an AI voice assistant app - wrote, 'If you're not spending 14+ hours a day working on your dream, you're ngmi.'advertisementShe added, 'You can't build a world-changing product on 9–5 energy. 80-hour weeks aren't extreme. It's baseline.' The post, which has garnered 65,500 views so far, triggered a debate around work-life balance. Take a look at the post here:If you're not spending 14+ hours a day working on your dream you're can't build a world-changing product on 9–5 energy.80-hour weeks aren't extreme. It's baseline. Neha (@Neha_Suresh_M) July 31, 2025The post drew a mix of curiosity and scepticism from social media users. "What do you do to decompress after an 80-hour week? Physically. What actually works?" one user asked. Another sarcastically added, "Why just 14 hours? Make it 24.""I burned out chasing 80-hour weeks. Found I actually build better products when I'm rested and thinking clearly," a user user wrote, "Wow, another person who's never had to pay bills or have a social life telling me how to live my best life."See the comments here:The internet has since engaged in a wider discussion about work-life balance and healthy work culture.- EndsMust Watch
