In Europe, 90% of the investment in vehicle development stays within the continent, with a significant focus on research and development within the automotive ecosystem. In contrast, India, which accounts for a meagre 3.3% of global R&D spending, has been directing much of it outside the country. Addressing this disparity, Dr Vikraman, Engineering Head - Vehicle Mechanical Systems at Mahindra & Mahindra, emphasised, “It is our responsibility to change this current scenario.”
Speaking at the inaugural session of the ‘Advanced Course on Vehicle Dynamics,’ organised by the Centre for Automotive Research (CAAR) in collaboration with SAE INDIA, Dr Vikraman called for a shift in priorities towards supporting India's technical institutes. “When looking for engineering partners to develop world-class sports utility vehicles, characterise steering systems, or even test tyres, it often becomes necessary to seek expertise abroad. Why can't we do this within our own country?' he questioned.
To bring about this change, he stressed the need to enhance trust in local results, improve the speed and nuances of research, and advance the know-how within both the industry and academia. Building such capabilities domestically will lay the groundwork for an automotive R&D ecosystem that can rival global standards.
Dr Vikraman also urged engineers to share their knowledge by publishing technical papers in SAE Journals and other platforms, highlighting, 'Let the world know our contributions to society.' By sharing advancements, Indian engineers can bolster the country’s presence in the global automotive landscape.
He reiterated the responsibility of engineers in designing vehicles with superior dynamics. 'Customers should feel absolutely assured that as long as they drive responsibly, the car will take care of them, even at high speeds on highways. This level of assurance can only be achieved through better vehicle dynamics, which is the fundamental aspect ensuring a vehicle's threshold safety.'
Prof Krishnan Balasubramanian, Professor-in-Charge at the Centre for Automotive Research (CAAR) and Head of the Centre for Non-Destructive Evaluation Lab, highlighted the vast potential India holds for innovation in the automotive sector. 'India offers countless opportunities for fundamental research, applied research, and the deployment of new technologies, which can be tested in some of the world's harshest conditions,' he stated. He further emphasised that this process could lead to 'reverse innovation,' where solutions developed locally in India can be adapted and exported to the rest of the world.
Dr N Karuppaiah, Course Coordinator and Senior Project Advisor at CAAR, shed light on the importance of vehicle dynamics in ensuring road safety, especially in a country like India. 'Vehicle dynamics is crucial for safety, and this is particularly relevant for India, which unfortunately leads the world in road fatalities. Despite having only 1% of the global vehicle population, we account for 11% of road accident fatalities,' he remarked. He urged engineers to recognise their role in advancing technology to enhance safety on Indian roads.
Discussing the 3-day Advanced Vehicle Dynamics programme, Dr Karuppaiah noted that vehicle assessment is currently dominated by subjective evaluations, which have inherent limitations. 'To achieve a higher standard of safety and performance, we need to establish objective metrics. Practical training is also key, which is why the course offered byCAAR & SAE India includes a visit to the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) for hands-on demonstrations,' he added.
By the conclusion of the programme, participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the principles behind the design and development of critical systems—such as suspension, brakes, steering, and tyres—to optimise vehicle dynamics. This comprehensive approach aims to empower engineers with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for the future of automotive safety and performance.
The event also featured insights from industry leaders. Prakash Sardesai, Chair of the Mobility Professional Development Committee (MPDC) at SAE India, spoke about SAE India's ongoing activities, while Thirupathi Srinivasan, CEO of CAAR, provided an overview of the centre's initiatives in advancing automotive research.
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