New Delhi: Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) has signed a five-year Master Research Agreement (MRA) with Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani. This collaboration aims to drive advanced technology research, focusing on building intellectual property and promoting academic collaboration in higher education and research projects.
The partnership is centered on breakthroughs in the mobility sector, exploring and developing advanced technologies. It will include joint R&D projects, academic and professional events, and the exchange of researchers and students. The collaboration also involves sharing lab facilities, advising research students, obtaining co-funding, publishing research papers, and protecting intellectual property.
The agreement is designed to enhance digital capabilities, enabling stronger collaboration between industry and academia. Research areas will include software development, with a particular focus on data and AI, electric mobility, and transformative technologies such as generative AI. Several projects are already being initiated under this partnership, guided by Prof. Poonam Goyal, Prof. Amit R Singh, and Prof. Navneet Goyal.
Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO of MBRDI, emphasized the importance of such collaborations.
“Collaborations between industry and academia are crucial in tackling the complex challenges our industry faces today. The synergy between our industry expertise and BITS Pilani’s academic prowess will propel our journey towards a future of sustainable innovation. At MBRDI, we are committed to creating a culture of continuous learning and development for our talent, and this collaboration will enable enormous opportunities for scaling from idea to innovation,” he said.
Prof Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor of BITS Pilani, highlighted the benefits of the agreement for both institutions and society.
“We are committed to promoting innovation and excellence in research and education, and this MRA with Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India is a major step in that direction. With the help of MBRDI’s corporate experience and our academic competence, we want to make ground-breaking discoveries that will benefit not just our institutions but also society at large. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to providing our researchers and students the best possible chances to work on innovative initiatives and create answers for pressing problems. We also look forward to continuing our long-term relationship of talent placement and development for interns and graduates at MBRDI,” he stated.
The MRA between MBRDI and BITS Pilani aims to leverage their combined strengths to address industry challenges through sustainable innovation. This collaboration promises to foster a culture of continuous learning and development, offering substantial opportunities for both researchers and students.
By sharing resources and expertise, MBRDI and BITS Pilani are set to make significant contributions to the advancement of technology in sectors such as electric mobility and AI. The tangible outputs expected from this partnership include co-funded research projects, publications, and significant intellectual property achievements.
