Pune, 19 January 2024: Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), will be organizing the 18th edition of its flagship biennial event ‘Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2024’ from Tuesday 23rd January to Thursday 25th January at the Pune International Exhibition and Convention Centre (PIECC)- Moshi.
This was announced today at a Press Conference held at ARAI by Dr. Reji Mathai, Director-ARAI and Chairman of SIAT 2024 Organising Committee, in the presence of Vikram Shinde, Sr. Deputy Director and Convener-SIAT 2024, Vijay Pankhawala, Deputy Director and Coordinator-SIAT Expo 2024, and Nitin Dhande, Sr. Deputy Director.
The Symposium is open through pre-registration done at http://siat.araiindia.com.
SIAT 2024 will be inaugurated at the hands of Union Minister of Heavy Industries, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey. In addition, a virtual inauguration of new facilities such as Advanced NVH Development Center, Advanced Accelerated Sled Lab, Advanced Photometry Laboratory, Foundation Stone Laying of ADAS, Cylinder Testing and High Energy Impact Testing facilities at Mobility Research Center (MRC), Takwe is planned during SIAT 2024. These facilities are being set up with an investment of approx. INR 146 crores and will provide developmental support to the Indian automotive industry.
Speaking at the Press Conference Dr. Mathai said, “SIAT 2024 is being organised in collaboration with SAEINDIA and SAE International. The theme of this edition is “Transformation Towards Progressive Mobility”. We are positive that the symposium will serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas and brainstorming for the automotive industry, with the participation of eminent global experts in various automobile arenas.” He also briefed about various initiatives like Bharat NCAP, the complete vehicle validation program, testing support for global manufacturers through the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) exemption facility provided by Govt. of India, and expansion plans of ARAI.
Elaborating on the content of SIAT 2024, Vikram Shinde said, “SIAT 2024 will have technical deliberations with over 210 technical papers and keynotes on futuristic topics by global experts. The selected papers will be published in the form of Symposium Proceedings. In addition to these proceedings, the Technical Reference Bulletin containing technical articles, case studies, products and services information, etc. will also be published during the symposium.” “This is the first on-site edition post-COVID, and we have received an overwhelming response. The overall scope of events has increased multifold and hence we decided PIECC, Moshi as the venue to accommodate this increased scale of the event” he added further.
Elaborating further he said “The symposium will witness a gathering of over 1500 automotive technocrats. Technical experts from 9 countries will present and discuss their research work in 48 technical sessions (8 parallel sessions). In addition, there will be 3 plenary sessions and a panel discussion on the theme of SIAT 2024.”
During SIAT 2024. Technical experts will share recent developments in the automotive sector from topics such as E-mobility, Simulation & Modelling, Emission Measurement & Control Technology, Advanced Vehicle Dynamics, Active and Passive Safety, Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH), Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Hydrogen I.C. Engine, Testing & Evaluation, Structural Reliability, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Alternative Fuels, ITS & Regulation, Tyre Technology and Materials & Manufacturing.
Speaking about the Expo, Vijay Pankhawala said, “SIAT Expo 2024 is an ideal platform for global players in the automotive domain to exhibit their products, technologies, innovations, and services through stalls. It is an opportunity for Automotive OEMs, Tier-I, Tier-II, and Tier-Ill suppliers, start-ups, equipment manufacturers, CAE tool providers, technologists, engineering service providers, design houses, and test agencies to showcase their products, technologies, and service capabilities.
“The SIAT EXPO24 will showcase 170 companies, across the globe, at 340 stalls. This will provide a platform for exhibitors to showcase their offerings to the conference delegates and exhibition visitors” he said further.
This edition of SIAT will also feature a Futuristic Technology Pavilion, a Medium Small Scale and Start-up Pavilion (MSSSP) along with Live Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) demonstration area.
Highlights of SIAT 2024 and SIAT EXPO 2024
· New venue (Pune International Exhibition and Convention Centre (PIECC)- Moshi) with ample parking space
· Largest participation, compared to previous editions of SIAT, in terms of delegates, technical papers, and stalls
· A Futuristic Technology Pavilion
· A Medium Small Scale and Start-up Pavilion (MSSSP)
· Live ‘Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)’ Demonstration Area
· Plenary sessions on
- Sustainable Technologies for the Next Decade
- Safe Mobility
- Solutions for Future Mobility
· Panel discussion on SIAT 2024 Theme “Transformation Towards Progressive Mobility” EXPO showcasing 170 companies, across the globe, at 340 stalls.
Some important points shared by the ARAI Director during the Press Conference:
The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has planned a road traffic conditions simulation infrastructure at its upcoming Takwe facility near Pune, comprising stretches of various road conditions to undertake testing of vehicles for ADAS features.
Dr. Mathai said the facility is a part of the Rs 340 crore investment plan ARAI embarked upon in the year 2021. The 20-acre facility is being developed at a capital outlay of Rs 146 crore and will have roads with curves, 4-lane roads, ramps, and parking spaces. The project is being designed to test semi-autonomous and eventually fully autonomous driving cars. The facility will include all parameters for automatic sensing including signal recognition for connected vehicles”.
Dr. Mathai elaborated on various initiatives ARAI is working on in areas such as electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and technology transfer. ARAI has been working on technology that will help create sound in the movement of electric vehicles. This, Dr. Mathai said has become necessary as in the EV sector today, vehicles are noise-free creating safety hazards while passing by. Passers-by are not aware of the approaching vehicle which may lead to accidents. For this, research on the installation of an Acoustics Voice Alert System (AVAS) in EVs and an NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) Study is being undertaken by ARAI.
Talking about the charging of heavy electric vehicles like trucks and buses, Dr. Mathai said, “Up until now, AC/DC chargers of 100 kilowatts were used for charging such vehicles. ARAI has now developed a charger for Public Charging Stations with a capacity of more than 100 kilowatts and the technology transfers for its manufacturing have been made by ARAI to a public sector company and three private players for manufacturing it. Additionally, the work for the development of overhead charging systems for heavy vehicles and buses is ongoing, which will enable smooth and rapid charging of heavy vehicles without hindrance.
Dr. Mathai said “ARAI is currently working with about 7 start-up businesses in improving their Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and reaching the ‘proof of concept’ stage. In the case of 10 other start-ups that have reached the proof-of-concept stage, work is going on to help them take their ideas to the market.”
Photo Caption: ARAI Press Conference announcing SIAT 2024 to be held in Pune from 23rd to 25th January 2024. From Left to Right: Anand Deshpande, Nitin Dhande, Dr. Reji Mathai, Vikram Shinde, Vijay Pankhawala, Dr. S. S Thipse and A.A Badusha
