In a strategic move to strengthen industry–academia ties in India’s mobility sector, IIT Madras and Hero MotoCorp (HMCL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on research, education, and upskilling in areas including electric vehicle development, battery technology, AI, propulsion systems, and mobility solutions.
The MoU was formalized in the presence of senior leadership teams: from Hero MotoCorp’s side—Vikram Kasbekar (Executive Director & Acting CEO/CTO), Anuj Dua, Jyoti Singh, Ananda Reddy, Rajat Kapoor, and Manish Singhal—and from IIT Madras—Director V. Kamakoti and Dean (Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research) Manu Santhanam.
Key Focus Areas & Commitments
Under the agreement, both institutions will explore joint research projects, technology transfer, and shared CSR initiatives. The MoU also paves the way for:
- Doctoral scholarships for IIT Madras research scholars supported by HMCL
- Industry-linked projects and internships for students embedded within Hero’s engineering challenges
- Degree and upskilling programmes (MTech, PhD, short-term courses) for Hero employees in disciplines like battery science, motor controllers, AI for mobility, vehicle dynamics, and propulsion technologies
- Enhanced knowledge exchange and joint workshops to drive innovation in multi-energy propulsion, new battery chemistry, and future mobility systems using AI technology
Director Kamakoti remarked that industry–academia partnerships are core to realizing India’s goal of a Viksit Bharat 2047, and he expressed confidence that the collaboration will help elevate mobility research in India. Kasbekar echoed that for India to lead globally, this kind of partnership is essential, especially when developing technologies locally instead of relying on foreign imports.
Strategic Importance & Implications
This MoU arrives at a moment when the Indian automotive sector is rapidly reorienting toward electrification, autonomy, and smart mobility solutions. With stronger government support for electric mobility, battery manufacturing, and R&D, such partnerships can accelerate innovation cycles and reduce dependence on external technology imports.
By embedding engineers and researchers from both sides in shared projects, the collaboration aims to translate academic research into product-ready systems. It may also help Hero MotoCorp stay competitive in a market that’s evolving toward modular, software-native, and energy-diverse vehicle architectures. For IIT Madras, the tie-up enhances the institute’s reach into industry and grants its students exposure to real-world challenges.
Final Take
The IIT Madras Hero MotoCorp MoU is more than a symbolic gesture it’s an actionable bridge between India’s top mobility research capability and its largest two-wheeler OEM. If executed well, it could seed breakthroughs in battery chemistry, AI-driven propulsion, and next-gen EV systems rooted in global standards but built from Indian soil.
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