Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has partnered with Altair, a global technology company providing solutions in simulation, high-performance computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), to launch an eMobility Simulation Lab.
Set up in the Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras, this lab will have state-of-the-art products and tools along with financial support from Altair. This will be followed with other labs and facilities to deliver research and training in the eMobility Domain.
Welcoming the launch of this new facility, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “Given the Government’s focus on eMobility and rapid expansion of the market that is expected, there is a need for IIT Madras to play its role in the academic space. eMobility-related initiatives in Academic Programs, Research and Policy are all managed and offered with multiple Departments contributing with the Department of Engineering Design acting as the nodal department.”
Prof. V. Kamakoti added, “In the coming years, we will be seeing a cluster of initiatives, facilities and Programs in eMobility from IIT Madras to equip Industry and Government to address the challenges in ramping up the market for EVs.”
The lab will host Altair’s modelling and simulation tools which will support the academic activities that IIT Madras will carry out in the other eMobility labs for Batteries, Charging, Power Electronics, Motors and Controllers and Vehicle Engineering, among other related areas. These facilities will together support the multiple Academic initiatives that the Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras, has started in the area of eMobility.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vishwanath Rao, Managing Director, Altair, said, “I am confident that the creation of the eMobility Simulation Lab at IIT Madras represents a pivotal stride in advancing research within the electric vehicle domain and advocating for sustainable transportation solutions. We are thrilled to join forces with IIT Madras in this endeavour, turning this forward-thinking initiative into reality. Our unwavering commitment extends to providing continuous support and expertise to guarantee the project’s triumphant execution.”
Commenting on the partnership with Altair, Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, said, “We are delighted to partner with Altair in creating a lab that will be the nursery for the next generation of eMobility solutions. Partnerships such as this bring together industry and academic expertise – both increasingly essential ingredients for creating successful startups and ideas.”
The Department of Engineering Design at IIT Madras has, over the last three years, developed and launched a series of initiatives and programs in the area of eMobility.
Highlighting the unique aspects of these initiatives, Prof. CS. Shankar Ram, Head, Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras, said, “We have been doing this in close partnership with different stakeholders – other IIT Madras Departments, Government of India, Industry Experts who are Professors of Practice at IIT-M, Policy experts, Industry and Businesses as well as with Philanthropists. The vision is to have these initiatives make the Department as a hub for all eMobility-related matters. The eMobility Simulation Lab supported by Altair is an important enabler in achieving this vision.”
