ARAI's SIAT Symposium Showcases Bus Tech Advances

The ARAI- Automotive Research Association of India recently hosted the Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) in Moshi, Pune, where a plethora of cutting-edge automotive technologies were showcased. Among the highlights were an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System, a track designed for Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) testing, and a hydrogen-fueled bus.

ARAI has developed a unique test track featuring diverse road conditions such as iron bridges, unpaved paths, concrete roads, highways, and three-way junctions, all aimed at facilitating comprehensive ADAS testing.

The symposium also saw ARAI unveiling its Acoustic Vehicle Alert System. Tata Motors took the opportunity to display its hydrogen fuel cell bus, while the Cummins group presented a fuel-agnostic engine. Altair demonstrated its software platform that allows automakers and manufacturers to create a digital twin of an Electric Vehicle (E.V.) battery for diagnostic purposes using sensors.

In other news, the Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE) in Kanpur is preparing indigenous fuel for the BrahMos missile's liquid Ramjet engine, which will undergo testing by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad. DMSRDE has also developed anti-spike, anti-nail, and anti-mine shoes and has manufactured Nylon 66 fibre and an advanced riot protection suit. A statue of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was unveiled, and the foundation stone for a new building was laid.

Airbus has entered into contracts with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Mahindra Aerospace Structures Private Limited (MASPL) for the manufacture of aircraft components. These Indian partners will produce parts for Airbus' A320neo, A330neo, and A350 programmes, as Airbus aims to bolster the growth of the Indian commercial fleet and foster the aerospace ecosystem in India.

ARAI is planning a symposium on automotive technology where experts from nine countries will present research on self-driving technology, emission control, alternative fuels, and tyre technology. The event will feature 210 technical papers and keynote speeches. ARAI is also contemplating a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UK-based Cenex.