Goa: Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani and Daimler Truck Innovation Center India (DTICI) have partnered to establish the Software, Product, AI Research & Knowledge (SPARK) Lab at the BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus.
The lab will focus on collaborative research in areas including artificial intelligence, software, digital validation, propulsion technologies and vehicle engineering, with the partnership aimed at advancing technologies for the commercial vehicle industry.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on August 10 at the BITS Pilani Goa campus by Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani; Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus; and Radhakrishnan Kodakkal, Managing Director and CEO, DTICI.
The partnership is also intended to create opportunities for students and researchers to work with industry experts and develop solutions for the future of mobility.
Radhakrishnan Kodakkal, MD and CEO, DTICI, said the future of trucks would be shaped by software and AI alongside engineering, and that the partnership would provide a platform for academia and industry to work together on intelligent, connected and sustainable commercial vehicles.
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said industry partnerships can help translate academic research into real-world applications. He added that the SPARK Lab would support innovation, interdisciplinary research and technology development.
Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus, said the collaboration would provide faculty and students opportunities to work alongside industry experts on campus.
The partnership combines BITS Pilani’s academic and research capabilities with DTICI’s industry expertise, with the SPARK Lab expected to serve as a platform for research and technology development in commercial vehicle mobility.
