Latest news with #Chennai-based
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Large vision models give Quality Control a Big Brotherly spin
Ever wondered how your evening snack-time cookies turn out perfectly uniform in shape and texture? Chances are they were inspected by the cameras and AI systems built by this Chennai-based startup. Jidoka Technologies' software tools and computer vision models help detect product defects in real-time across assembly lines. From biscuits to car gears to coconut oil bottles, its systems use multiple cameras and powerful vision models to flag anomalies and eject defective items in a flash as the products run through conveyors. 'Modern computer vision can transform product inspection as manufacturers aim for higher quality,' says Sekar Udayamurthy, co-founder and CEO. Typically factories engage workers for manual quality checks. But, they are subjective as individual workers cannot perform uniformly causing either higher wastage or higher defects. Also the process could be slow. The startup makes it consistent, faster and helps companies scale inspections. It can inspect 10,000 parts per minute with more than 99% accuracy, according to Udayamurthy. It monitors manufacturing processes involving human workers in real time to prevent rework. Its tools can be used for various tasks including counting, sorting, label text verification, assessing inventory and suggesting improvements in the manufacturing process with analytical dashboards. Jidoka provides hardware tools along with its software and models. Giving us a lowdown on this entrepreneurial journey, Udayamurthy informs us that he was working in a senior role in the US at Cognizant, building products for Fortune 500 clients while his co-founders, Dr Krishna Iyengar, Vinodh Venkatesan were both employed in an auto manufacturing facility in Chennai. They identified quality control as a key pain point in the manufacturing sector, which led to higher wastage and costly recalls. So they began building industry-specific AI models. Starting with automobiles, Jidoka Technologies performs three million inspections a day across FMCG, pharmaceutical, electronics and logistics verticals for major companies like Britannia and Maruti Suzuki. 'We are the only ones who give both product and process inspection on a single platform. Secondly, we are the only ones that can do it at these speeds. These are our primary differentiators,' he said. The trio has built domain-specific vision models for each industry and holds two patents in anomaly detection and decision engine. The startup was incubated by NSRCEL of IIM Bangalore and has so far raised 19.5 crore. It raised 11 crore in Pre-Series A round from Arali Ventures. Jidoka aims to hit the $25 million revenue mark in five years time and bets on expanding its services to different verticals such as solar and semiconductors as well as geographic expansion in Australia, Europe and North America. They plan to build a platform for proactive monitoring for quality and throughput and building large vision models (LVM) to handle tasks in multiple domains. 'The end-game is to create generic models that can work across customer bases,' explains Udayamurthy. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Economic Times
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Economic Times
Passenger vehicle sales remain flat in May amid sluggish demand
Agencies Representational Image Sales of cars, sedans and utility vehicles remained largely flat last month, albeit on a high base, amid sluggish consumer demand in the local market. As per initial industry estimates about 352,000 passenger vehicles were sold last month, which is an increase of about 0.1% over the same period last fiscal. Automakers in India mostly report wholesale dispatches from factories to dealerships and not retail sales to customers. Retail sales are estimated to have dropped by 0.8% in this period, industry insiders said. A senior industry executive who did not wish to be identified said, 'There is pressure in the market. But we also have to remember that the base is now very high. India is one of the very high markets in the world which is selling more than 4 million passenger vehicles annually. So even if the growth is modest, and is likely to remain so for some time, volumes are still good.' Demand in the local market continued to be driven by SUVs last month, with companies like Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) and Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) clocking robust sales numbers. Market leaders Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai did not release sales numbers for May Sunday. Homegrown auto major Mahindra, in fact, continued to maintain its lead over rival Tata Motors in May, powered by demand for its range of utility vehicles. Mahindra sold 52,431 units last month, which is an increase of 21% over 43,218 units sold in May 2024. At Tata Motors, sales fell by 11% to 41,557 units in the same period. Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, M&M, said, 'Thanks to continued demand for our products, we were able to deliver industry-leading growth across our ICE and BEV portfolio.' Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) reported an increase of 22% to sell 29,280 units last month. Varinder Wadhwa, Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, said, in line with overall market trends, the company's MPV and SUV segments continued to be the primary growth drivers—reflecting a clear shift in customer preference towards versatile mobility options.'With the onset of the monsoon and forecasts indicating a normal to above-normal season, we remain optimistic about improved market sentiment in the coming months, particularly across rural and semi-urban regions. This, backed by our vast product portfolio and innovative campaigns, we are well-positioned to maintain this growth trajectory', Wadhwa informed. Kia India and JSW MG Motor saw sales grow by 14% (to 22315 units) and 40% (to 6304 units), respectively. In the two-wheeler segment, demand remained healthy with Chennai-based TVS Motor Company reporting sales increase of 14% at 309,287 units in May. Sales of commercial vehicles was subdued. Market leader Tata Motors saw sales fall 9% to 25,872 units in the month under review. In the farm equipment sector, Mahindra sold 38,914 tractors last month, which is an increase of 10% over Veejay Nakra, President – Farm Equipment Business, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, 'Early advancement of above normal Southwest monsoon should bode well for kharif sowing. Land preparation activities are progressing well for paddy sowing. Approval of hike in MSP for Paddy and other kharif crops will bring positive sentiments among farmers. Better reservoir levels , Government announcement of record foodgrain production and introduction of various schemes will help farmers aim higher productivity going forward and in turn augur well for tractor demand.' COMPANY MAY 2024 MAY 2025 % CHANGE Mahindra & Mahindra 43218 52431 21 Tata Motors 46697 41557 -11 Toyota Kirloskar Motor 23928 29280 22.4 Kia India 19500 22315 14.4 JSW MG Motor India 4510 6304 40
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Passenger vehicle sales remain flat in May amid sluggish demand
Sales of cars, sedans and utility vehicles remained largely flat last month, albeit on a high base, amid sluggish consumer demand in the local market. As per initial industry estimates about 352,000 passenger vehicles were sold last month, which is an increase of about 0.1% over the same period last fiscal. Automakers in India mostly report wholesale dispatches from factories to dealerships and not retail sales to customers. Retail sales are estimated to have dropped by 0.8% in this period, industry insiders said. A senior industry executive who did not wish to be identified said, 'There is pressure in the market. But we also have to remember that the base is now very high. India is one of the very high markets in the world which is selling more than 4 million passenger vehicles annually. So even if the growth is modest, and is likely to remain so for some time, volumes are still good.' Demand in the local market continued to be driven by SUVs last month, with companies like Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) and Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) clocking robust sales numbers. Market leaders Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai did not release sales numbers for May Sunday. Homegrown auto major Mahindra, in fact, continued to maintain its lead over rival Tata Motors in May, powered by demand for its range of utility vehicles. Mahindra sold 52,431 units last month, which is an increase of 21% over 43,218 units sold in May 2024. At Tata Motors, sales fell by 11% to 41,557 units in the same period. Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, M&M, said, 'Thanks to continued demand for our products, we were able to deliver industry-leading growth across our ICE and BEV portfolio.' Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) reported an increase of 22% to sell 29,280 units last month. Varinder Wadhwa, Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, said, in line with overall market trends, the company's MPV and SUV segments continued to be the primary growth drivers—reflecting a clear shift in customer preference towards versatile mobility options. 'With the onset of the monsoon and forecasts indicating a normal to above-normal season, we remain optimistic about improved market sentiment in the coming months, particularly across rural and semi-urban regions. This, backed by our vast product portfolio and innovative campaigns, we are well-positioned to maintain this growth trajectory', Wadhwa informed. Kia India and JSW MG Motor saw sales grow by 14% (to 22315 units) and 40% (to 6304 units), respectively. In the two-wheeler segment, demand remained healthy with Chennai-based TVS Motor Company reporting sales increase of 14% at 309,287 units in May. Sales of commercial vehicles was subdued. Market leader Tata Motors saw sales fall 9% to 25,872 units in the month under review. In the farm equipment sector, Mahindra sold 38,914 tractors last month, which is an increase of 10% over Veejay Nakra, President – Farm Equipment Business, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, 'Early advancement of above normal Southwest monsoon should bode well for kharif sowing. Land preparation activities are progressing well for paddy sowing. Approval of hike in MSP for Paddy and other kharif crops will bring positive sentiments among farmers. Better reservoir levels , Government announcement of record foodgrain production and introduction of various schemes will help farmers aim higher productivity going forward and in turn augur well for tractor demand.' COMPANY MAY 2024 MAY 2025 % CHANGE Mahindra & Mahindra 43218 52431 21 Tata Motors 46697 41557 -11 Toyota Kirloskar Motor 23928 29280 22.4 Kia India 19500 22315 14.4 JSW MG Motor India 4510 6304 40
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tamil script weaves a new identity in fashion
1 2 3 4 5 In Tamil Nadu, language has always been a hot topic. Now, it's haute as well. Case in point: Chennai-based designer Vivek Karunakaran's latest collection Idam (Tamil for 'place'), which debuted in Feb at the FDCI India Men's Week in Jaipur, featuring the Tamil script as individual letters and complete Thirukkural couplets. Karunakaran says the collection began as a tribute to the city, but from there, the thread of the narrative evolved into a celebration of identity, "an unapologetic expression of who we are and where we come from". He adds that the collection is being expanded to include women's wear. "It's declaration of pride." In one look, Karunakaran has a verse of the Kural block-printed on a jacket paired with Korean pants. "We've gone beyond just printing the alphabet to creating meaningful designs," says Karunakaran, whose clothes are priced between Rs 6,000 and Rs 60,000. Designers from outside Tamil Nadu too are scripting the language into their couture. In Mumbai, actor Sonam Kapoor was recently spotted in a cream saree designed by Masaba, which had the Tamil letters, 'th', 'na' and more in black and gold. "The Tamil script has a unique visual ap peal," says Karthiknathan S, a graphic designer who specialises in Tamil lettering. "With almost 216 distinct characters, there is a lot of visual diversity." He adds that when Tamil was adapted into a font, ascenders and descenders were adjusted for visual consistency. "As a result, words and sentences form patterns with varying heights and depths. Depending on the preceding or following letter, ascenders or descenders are altered, creating intriguing patterns. It pushes the possibilities of what can be done with the Tamil letter". This, perhaps, explains why Tamil-script clothes have been well received, even by those unfamiliar with the language, says Dubai-based designer Vino Supraja, who has incorporated it into her collection 'Purisai', named after the Purisai Nadaga Pairchi Palli, a therukoothu school founded by Kannapa Sambandhan Ayya, who was awarded the Padma Shri this year. She adds that the appeal is so universal that most of her clients for the collection are Emiratis and Singaporeans, not Tamilians. "After our London Fashion Week show, the script became a conversation starter. It gave us a chance to discuss Tamil language, therukoothu, and Purisai's cultural richness. The Tamil script is the visual anchor," says Supraja, who grew up in Vandavasi, 10km from Purisai, where her father served as a doctor. Supraja also wore a saree featuring the school's name in her handwriting when she received the Glob al Sustainable Trailblazer Award recently at the House of Commons. Mayank Bhutra, a designer from Rajasthan raised in Erode (which is why he has named his brand Erode), says using the Tamil script in his clothes is about celebrating the place where he grew up. "We're in the process of developing our own typeface for the clothes, blending Tamil and English in a contemporary design," says Bhutra, who adds that as a child, he saw Jamakalam weavers at work and was fascinated. When he returned to the craft as an adult, he realised that despite years of tradition and a GI tag, there were no new designs or patterns. And that, he adds, was when he decided to help script Jamakalam a "contemporary identity".
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Tamil scripts become a fashion trend
Case in point: Chennai-based designer Vivek Karunakaran's latest collection Idam (Tamil for 'place'), which debuted in Feb at the FDCI India Men's Week in Jaipur, featuring the Tamil script as individual letters and complete Thirukkural couplets. Karunakaran says the collection began as a tribute to the city, but from there, the thread of the narrative evolved into a celebration of identity, 'an unapologetic expression of who we are and where we come from'. He adds that the collection is being expanded to include women's wear. 'It's declaration of pride.' In one look, Karunakaran has a verse of the Kural block-printed on a jacket paired with Korean pants. 'We've gone beyond just printing the alphabet to creating meaningful designs,' says Karunakaran, whose clothes are priced between Rs 6,000 and Rs 60,000. Designers from outside Tamil Nadu too are scripting the language into their couture. In Mumbai, actor Sonam Kapoor was recently spotted in a cream saree designed by Masaba, which had the Tamil letters, 'th', 'na' and more in black and gold. 'The Tamil script has a unique visual appeal,' says Karthiknathan S, a graphic designer who specialises in Tamil lettering. 'With almost 216 distinct characters, there is a lot of visual diversity.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bolsas nos olhos? (Tente isso hoje à noite) Revista Saúde & Beleza Saiba Mais Undo He adds that when Tamil was adapted into a font, ascenders and descenders were adjusted for visual consistency. 'As a result, words and sentences form patterns with varying heights and depths. Depending on the preceding or following letter, ascenders or descenders are altered, creating intriguing patterns. It pushes the possibilities of what can be done with the Tamil letter.' This, perhaps, explains why Tamil-script clothes have been well received, even by those unfamiliar with the language, says Dubai-based designer Vino Supraja, who has incorporated it into her collection 'Purisai', named after the Purisai Nadaga Pairchi Palli, a therukoothu school founded by Kannapa Sambandhan Ayya, who was awarded the Padma Shri this year. She adds that the appeal is so universal that most of her clients for the collection are Emiratis and Singaporeans, not Tamilians. 'After our London Fashion Week show, the script became a conversation starter. It gave us a chance to discuss Tamil language, therukoothu, and Purisai's cultural richness. The Tamil script is the visual anchor,' says Supraja, who grew up in Vandavasi, 10km from Purisai, where her father served as a doctor. Supraja also wore a saree featuring the school's name in her handwriting when she received the Global Sustainable Trailblazer Award recently at the House of Commons. Mayank Bhutra, a designer from Rajasthan raised in Erode (which is why he has named his brand Erode), says using the Tamil script in his clothes is about celebrating the place where he grew up. 'We're in the process of developing our own typeface for the clothes, blending Tamil and English in a contemporary design,' says Bhutra, who adds that as a child, he saw Jamakalam weavers at work and was fascinated. When he returned to the craft as an adult, he realised that despite years of tradition and a GI tag, there were no new designs or patterns. And that, he adds, was when he decided to help script Jamakalam a 'contemporary identity.'
