JLR Expands Global Innovation Network with India Hub

Jaguar Land Rover has announced the launch of a new Open Innovation Hub in India, marking its fifth such center worldwide. The hub, located in Bangalore, aims to accelerate the company’s electrification, artificial intelligence, and autonomous vehicle programs.

In partnership with the global investor and corporate innovation platform, Plug and Play, the hub will connect startups with JLR‘s global engineering workforce. This collaboration seeks to identify new technological, engineering, and sustainability solutions for the company.

The India Hub will focus on deep tech areas such as artificial intelligence, big data and analytics, the internet of things, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and sensors and devices. It will also bring together industry, government, academia, and other stakeholders to discuss and develop industry-leading solutions for JLR.

JLR’s Open Innovation Program, launched in April 2022, has already engaged with over 2,500 startups globally, resulting in 33 formal collaborations. One notable success is a collaboration with UK startup Allye to develop a way to reuse JLR PHEV and BEV batteries as second-life energy storage systems.

In Brazil, the startup Energy Source, in which JLR has invested through its venture capital arm InMotion Ventures, has launched the first solar-powered electric vehicle charging station. Additionally, vehicle rental specialist Movida offers mobility leasing options on over 250 vehicles from JLR brands.

Igor Murakami, JLR’s Innovation Director, highlighted India’s rapidly growing startup sector and JLR’s established presence in the country as key factors in choosing India for the new hub. He emphasized that the Open Innovation Program is connecting JLR to the next generation of talent and technologies, and the India Hub will further support JLR’s engineering teams in innovating quickly.

Lalitha Indrakanti, CEO of JLR Technology & Business Services India, noted that quality and innovation are core elements of the company’s business. The Innovation Hub will tap into India’s deep technology ecosystem to discover new possibilities with a strong focus on engineering and sustainability.

Sobhan Khani, Partner at Plug and Play, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with JLR and its potential to enhance the global mobility ecosystem. He emphasized the initiative’s ability to empower innovators to develop transformative technologies that redefine the future of mobility and align with JLR’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.

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Henry Benz

Henry Benz isn't your average automotive journalist. He's not obsessed with horsepower or zero-to-sixty times. His passion lies in the quiet hum of electric motors, the surge of instant torque, and the thrill of a world hurtling towards a sustainable future. Henry is the EV evangelist, your plug-in pal, and the guy who will make you fall in love with the world of electric vehicles, one test drive at a time. Henry's journey began in the golden age of muscle cars. He spent his youth wrenching on classic V8s, his nose forever stained with grease and his ears ringing with the roar of internal combustion. But as the climate crisis loomed larger, a seed of doubt sprouted in his gearhead heart. Could there be a way to enjoy the thrill of the open road without sacrificing the planet? That's when Henry discovered the world of EVs. He was captivated by the silent power, the instant acceleration, and the sleek, futuristic designs. He devoured every article, watched every documentary, and hopped behind the wheel of every electric car he could find. He was hooked.
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