MOTOTECH23, the inaugural automotive event held in Pune on September 22, 2023, was a game-changing gathering of industry leaders, academics, and key players. It focused on the theme of “Adopting Advanced Manufacturing Technologies for the Automotive Industry” and aimed to drive innovation and advanced manufacturing in the automotive sector.
On September 22, 2023, Pune hosted the inaugural edition of MOTOTECH23, a groundbreaking automotive event that left an indelible mark on the industry landscape. The event, held at the prestigious Hotel Sheraton Grand, brought together key players in the automotive sector, academics, and industry leaders to explore the theme of “Adopting Advanced Manufacturing Technologies for the Automotive Industry.”
MOTOTECH23 was a collaborative effort by prominent names in the industry, including Markforged-Phillips, Omron Automation, Atlas Copco, DataM Intelligence, Dassault Systemes – Solize, Blue Star Engineering & Electronics, Husky, Storopack, and Beckhoff Automation. IACE – International Automotive Center of Excellence played the role of Academic Partner.
The event was designed to provide a platform for intellectual discourse and the exchange of innovative ideas, recognising the pivotal role of the automotive sector in India’s ambitious goal of achieving a five trillion-dollar GDP. Over the past decade, the automotive industry has undergone significant transformations, adapting to technological advancements, changing market conditions, evolving customer demands, and globalisation—however, the future promises even more changes and challenges.
The event commenced with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony, graced by distinguished individuals, including Mr. Nasir Deshmukh, Mr. Uday Narang, Mr. E. Rajiv, Mr. Prasad Nair, Ms. Radha Poptani, and Mr. Sagar Tamhane.
Mr. Nasir Deshmukh, the Conference Chairman, and Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Operations & Plant Head at Mahindra & Mahindra, set the tone with a compelling keynote address. He emphasised, “The primary motivation for adopting advanced automotive technology is safety. Technologies like adaptive driver assist systems such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assist are not merely convenient features; they are essential lifesavers capable of preventing accidents and preserving lives.
Additionally, Mr. Deshmukh highlighted the urgent need for change on our planet. He pointed out that advanced technology provides the solution. Electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, CNG vehicles, and hydrogen vehicles, combined with innovations like regenerative braking, contribute to reducing our carbon footprint. In times of rising fuel costs, advanced technology enhances efficiency, offering benefits beyond cost savings at the fuel pumps, including conserving precious resources and the ability to cover more distances without increased consumption.
Mr. Deshmukh concluded the Keynote Address by adding, “Adopting advanced automotive technology isn’t merely a choice; it’s an imperative. It is a commitment to safety, a dedication to our environment, an investment in efficiency and a promise of convenience. It’s about driving into the future of our eyes with our eyes wide open to all the possibilities.”
The event’s Guest of Honour, Mr. Uday Narang, Chairman of Omega Seiki Mobility, delved into the economics of electric vehicles. He stressed the importance of comparing the total cost of ownership between conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and commercial electric vehicles. While electric vehicles may have a higher initial price, their reduced operating and maintenance costs over their lifespan make them a more economically appealing choice.
The Academic Partner, IACE, was represented by Mr. E. Rajiv, the Executive Director of the International Automotive Center of Excellence. Mr E. Rajiv emphasised the pressing need for a substantial workforce transformation. He remarks, “We require a huge upheaval in reskilling and upskilling, creating a robust workforce pipeline. These include traditional skills like CAD/CAM, material handling, machining, and vital soft skills such as teamwork. Furthermore, a specific demand exists for augmenting existing skills with new enhancements. Currently, the manufacturing sector contributes 17% to our economy, but we anticipate it reaching 25% as we strive to achieve a $5 trillion economy. This underscores the critical role of manufacturing in our GDP’s overall representation.”
Technology submissions
The event progressed with captivating individual presentations, each offering a deep dive into various facets of the automotive industry. Bhavesh Mehta, Head of Sales at Omron Automation, enlightened attendees with his insights on “Smart Manufacturing: Fueling the Automotive Growth Trajectory.” In this step, Sunil Pawar of Dassault Systemes explored “Seamless Manufacturing Execution Across the Value Chain.” Google Cloud’s Sachin Sanghi offered an intricate look at the world of “Software-Driven Vehicles.” K. Arunagiri from Atlas Copco unfolded revelations in “Battery Assembly Innovations.” The narrative was enriched with Pranjal Mathur’s examination of “The Aftermarket Opportunities in EV: Fuel to Volts.” Rajesh Kumathekar profoundly understood “Alternative Fuels,” while Ravindra Gugale from TACO demystified “Digitisation.” Naveeth Menon of BAXY Mobility steered the conversation towards “Understanding and Meeting Customer Demands for Three-Wheelers.” The series culminated with Prem Aruliah John from Blue Star Engineering & Electronics, who meticulously dissected “Quality Control & Process Optimisation in the Automotive Industry with Automated Metrology Solutions,” wrapping up a symphony of expert insights that resonated with profundity and innovation.
The centrepiece of MOTOTECH23 was the engaging panel discussions that delved deep into crucial aspects of the automotive industry’s future:
Future of Green Mobility Panel Discussion:
The intricacies of green mobility were meticulously unravelled in a panel moderated by Ravindra Utgikar, Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Praj Industries, featuring a constellation of industry giants. Shirish Kulkarni, the Founder & MD of Strota ConsulTech; Neelam Pandey Pathak, an esteemed veteran in the Automotive Industry; and Ajay Kavade, Senior General Manager at Skoda Auto Volkswagen, constituted the esteemed panel. They dove deeply into an extensive discourse on aiding OEMs in attaining Net Zero targets. Recognizing the transport sector’s significant role as a substantial emitter of greenhouse gases, the panellists underscored the urgent need for decarbonisation to propel India towards its ambitious Net Zero objectives. The discourse unfurled a tapestry of innovative insights, particularly accentuating the transformative potential of clean and green fuels to redefine the contours of the transportation industry.
Challenges in EV Battery Swapping. Battery Prices, RE-based Charging and EV Charging Panel Discussion:
In a panel moderated by Shikhar Gupta, the Director of Energy and mobility at PwC, expert insights into the evolving landscape of electric mobility were profoundly unveiled. The distinguished panel featured Shashank Sathe, CTO at Magenta Mobility; Akshay Sasikumar, CEO of 82Volt Technology; and Prathamesh Patki, Chief Engineer at Altigreen. These esteemed professionals delved into intricate aspects of battery swapping, articulating insights on battery pricing dynamics, the integration of renewable energy in charging, and the progressive evolution of EV charging infrastructure. A focal point of their discussion was the comparative analysis between home charging and public charging, offering a comprehensive exploration of the imminent challenges and unfolding opportunities that characterise the electric mobility revolution. Each contribution illuminated the pathway to understanding and navigating the complexities that mark this transformative journey into a future powered by electric mobility.
Fire-Side Chat : Role of AI in Autonomous Vehicles
The fire-side chat between Shatyabrata Das, Sr. General Manager, IAC and Shirish Joshi, Automotive Industry Expert, touched upon a very important topic of Role of AI in Autonomous Vehicles, its journey from a human driven vehicle to ADAC Level 1 and it reaching up to Level 6. They also emphasised the role of Sensors, Radars and LiDARS in achieving AI and how writing lengthy codes can be avoided in the future. According to Shirish, the industry will eventually do away with the glitches that are associated with developing these high-end systems. In an impressive observation, Shatyabrata and Shirish also touched upon Smart Tractors and how their deployment will prove to be a game-changer in boosting farming.
MOTOTECH23 was not just an event but a convergence of visionary ideas, practical insights, and collaborative endeavours. It illuminated the path forward for the automotive industry, emphasising safety, sustainability, efficiency, and innovation as the cornerstones of its future. For more information about MOTOTECH23 and to stay updated on future events, please visit mototechindia.in
Quotes-
Mr. Nasir Deshmukh, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Operations & Plant Head, Mahindra & Mahindra, Chakan Plant
“Electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, CNG vehicles, and hydrogen vehicles, combined with innovations like regenerative braking, contribute to reducing our carbon footprint.”
Mr. Uday Narang, Chairman, Omega Seiki Mobility Design & Development of EVs in Emerging Markets
“While electric vehicles may have a higher initial price, their reduced operating and maintenance costs over their lifespan make them a more economically appealing choice.”
Rajiv, Executive Director, IACE International Automotive Center of Excellence
“We require a huge upheaval in reskilling and upskilling, creating a robust workforce pipeline. These include traditional skills like CAD/CAM, material handling, machining, and vital soft skills such as teamwork.”
