By Bhargav TS
In a bid to provide insights to global automotive technologies and support with relevant inputs for policy makers, the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is organising Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) at its Pune campus from January 21 to 24. The 14th edition of the biennial event is being organised by ARAI in association with SAE India and NATRiP.
Over 1,500 delegates from 25 countries are expected to attend the symposium, to be inaugurated by the Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Anant Geete. A total of 215 research papers will be presented by the automotive experts. Alongside, the event will also have an exhibition hosting 95 automotive and allied manufacturers from around the world to showcase their products, equipment, innovations and technologies. Representatives from the top 6 automobile manufacturing nations such as China, Japan, USA, Germany, South Korea and India will discuss technology options for producing safe, environment friendly and roadworthy vehicles in a panel discussion on ‘International mobility beyond boundaries’.
Held since 1985, the symposium was instrumental in introducing several technologies by Indian OEMs, since it has been encouraging paper presentations only on applied engineering and not confined to theory. Therefore, it enabled the audience to learn newer technologies that help create mobility ‘cleaner, quieter and safer,’ which is incidentally the theme for the symposium. According to Vinod Dasari, President, ARAI and Managing Director of Ashok Leyland, “The symposium is the hallmark for best and brightest people to showcase their talents.” The government is keen on the ‘Make in India’ campaign to encourage manufacturing in the country and SIAT 2015 will encourage the ‘Design in India’ concept for the automotive industry. ARAI has been playing a vital role in making the vehicles greener and safer. “The theme of this current edition also reflects industry commitment to placing passenger, public and vehicles safety at the heart of our R&D work,” he added.
Rashmi Urdhwareshe, Director of ARAI said, the main challenge for today’s auto industry is to strengthen safety and environment-focused research and development efforts. SIAT 2015 will provide a platform for the engineers and industry to share their thoughts on improving vehicular safety and emission performance.
During the event ARAI will inaugurate its full vehicle crash (passive safety) test facility and fatigue test facilities near Pune that were built with an investment of Rs 250 crore. Acclaimed to be India’s first full vehicle crash test facility, it will be fully functional by the end of 2015.
