Blend of innovation in shaping automobile industry
The success of BAJA SAEINDIA 2024 underscores the vital role of such competitions in fostering innovation. The event provides a unique platform for students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios and prepare for the industry. It not only encouraged creativity and collaboration but also contributed to shaping the future of automotive mobility in India.
Dr. Reji Mathai, Director of ARAI, emphasized the significance of aBAJA and ARAI's hosting role.
"ARAI has been a proud partner of BAJA SAEINDIA for several years, and hosting the first-ever edition of aBAJA is a testament to our commitment to driving the future of automotive technology. This platform provides students with the hands-on experience required to excel in the industry and plays a crucial role in shaping the next generation of engineers. Autonomous technology is the future and is intended for Road Safety, and it is inspiring to see these young minds contributing to its advancement."
Chief Guest Rajendra Abhange, Director & Chief Operating Officer at Endurance Technologies Ltd., underscored the impact of autonomous mobility on the automotive component manufacturing industry. "Autonomous mobility is no longer a distant concept—it is a reality that is rapidly shaping the automotive landscape. Competitions like aBAJA are crucial in nurturing industry-ready talent, equipping students with the skills and knowledge required to lead the transformation in our industry. The component manufacturing sector will depend on engineers who are not only innovative but also understand the intricacies of autonomous systems, and aBAJA plays a pivotal role in creating that pipeline of future leaders. One day, we may see fBAJA, the Flying BAJA."
Guest of Honour Sumantra Barooah, Editor-Technology at ET Auto, highlighted the changing dynamics of the automotive industry."The automotive industry is on the cusp of monumental change, and events like aBAJA serve as a catalyst for innovation. The talent displayed here is a reflection of the interesting times that lie ahead for assisted driving and autonomous mobility. It’s heartening to see these young engineers tackle real-world challenges with creativity and technical precision, and I believe the future of the automotive industry is in excellent hands."
Other notable attendees included Dr. G. Nagarajan, Senior VP at SAE INDIA; Ramanathan Srinivasan, MD at ATS; Dr. Divyanshu Joshi, Group Leader - Body & Chassis at Jaguar Land Rover; Balraj Subramaniam, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for BAJA SAEINDIA; Dr. K C Vora, Professor of Practice & Advisor at BAJA SAEINDIA; Shantanu Sonar, Lead Judge at aBAJA SAEINDIA 2024; Arun Shankar, Convener from Continental; Ujjwala Karle, Joint Convener from ARAI, and Saurabh Chitnavis, Joint Convener from ATS.
The event concluded with the declaration of the overall awards by Dr. K C Vora, recognizing teams for their exceptional performance throughout the 2024 season, which included various phases of aBAJA SAEINDIA. Team IPS-Sprinters from IPS Academy, Institute of Engineering & Science in Indore emerged as the overall champions. Team Acroracerz from Acropolis Institute of Technology and Research in Indore and Team E-Ziba Racers from Shri Vishnu Engineering College for Women in Bhimavaram secured the first and second runner-up positions, respectively. The competition was fiercely contested, showcasing the best in autonomous vehicle engineering.
Additionally, the ARAI AMTIF and Intellimobility awards were announced, celebrating the technical ingenuity and creativity of the participating teams. As the event drew to a close, Mr. Balraj Subramaniam and Dr. K C Vora from the BAJA SAEINDIA Organizing Committee announced the opening of registrations for Autonomous BAJA SAEINDIA 2025. Early bird registrations will be available from 8:00 to 10:00 PM on 6th October 2024, offering various benefits to teams who register during this window. The conveners for various events were also declared.
aBAJA SAEINDIA 2024 award winners-
BAJA SAEINDIA 2025
Furthermore, Balraj Subramaniam announced the tentative dates for the BAJA SAEINDIA 2025 season across all categories, providing teams with a comprehensive schedule for upcoming competitions:
- Virtual mBAJA, eBAJA & hBAJA Phase 2 at Chitkara University Rajpura near Chandigarh: 29th November to 1st December 2024.
- mBAJA & hBAJA Phase 3 at NATRAX, Pithampur near Indore: 8th to 12th January 2025, with the HR Meet at Acropolis Institute, Indore on 13th & 14th January 2025.
- eBAJA Phase 3 at BVRIT, Narsapur near Hyderabad: 20th to 23rd February 2025, with the HR Meet on 24th and 25th February 2025.
- aBAJA Phase 3 at ARAI, Takwe near Pune: June 2025 followed by HR Meet.
This announcement of dates and conveners for BAJA SAEINDIA 2025 highlights the continuous efforts to advance autonomous mobility and ensure students have the best opportunities to develop skills and showcase capabilities. Arun Shankar, the Convener, offered the Vote of Thanks.
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