IoT and EV start-ups aplenty at ACMA's Innovation Pavilion

The Auto Expo 2020 - Components Show held between February 6 and 9, for the first time in its history, hosted a start-up contingent at its Innovation Pavilion, located at the Hall A4 (first floor) at Pragati Maidan.

The pavilion, which saw participation from 20 technology start-ups, primarily in the area of digitisation, IoT and electric mobility solutions, recorded robust visitor footfalls at the event.

While some of the companies participating had already foreseen the upcoming disruption in the mobility ecosystem including manufacturing processes and supply-chain getting modernised due to the advent of Industry 4.0 tools, the others have gotten on-board the journey of transformation of new mobility solutions just in time as the India market is on the verge of opening up completely.

For Think 7, which offers Industry 4.0 solutions, the Expo has given it a huge platform to showcase its innovations to a wider set of audience. The company which started in 2013 in Bangalore and went to market in 2016 with its digitalisation and digitisation software solutions for manufacturing operations, automotive has become the key sector for its services.

It claims having digitised over 150 factories and been able to move from proof of concept to actual systems in a short time frame. Its clientele across OEMs, Tier 1s and Tier 2s includes players like TVS Motor Company, Endurance Technologies, Sterling Tools, Metalman, and Amara Raja Batteries.

It also builds its own IoT gateways and provides solutions on a SaaS basis. Think 7 today has presence in Delhi, Pune as well as Chennai.

Founded by Praveen Hari and Sagar Kalkhair, Jitfinco is a 2016 start-up that aims to bring technology into finance and showcased its Supplier GST Compliance Tracker. The software keeps an eye on GST filing patterns of SME suppliers associated with an OEM and helps it manage its input tax credit better. Jitfinco also offers loans to suppliers to clear their dues and alerts OEMs when the same gets done. It analyses company performances and tags suppliers into low-, medium- and high-risk categories to help OEMs get upfront information before striking long-term agreements. The company says it is still in early stages and has offered over 20 loans so far. It has recently on-boarded one of TVS' Group companies as well.

Bangalore-based Liradolf showcased its 'Manufnext' software platform suitable for the complete digitisation of the manufacturing operations of a component maker. Started in 2015, Liradolf will be completing its five years and has mainly remained focused on automobile manufacturing till now, but has presence in aerospace as well. Its clients include Uno Minda, Yazaki, Mikuni, Dellorto and Tata Advance (aerospace). The solutions come priced in the range of Rs 600,000 to Rs 650,000.

In the new mobility space, Bevolt showcased its EV charger monitoring platform, developed especially for Delta Electronics, and which can manage charging infrastructure. The Delhi-based company says that with its platform, a DC-DC fast-charger can be monitored in terms of faults, diagnostics, and payments. It has been offering its services to Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor India, power distribution companies, ride-hailing as well as logistics companies in India.

The company also showcased a Smart Controller from the Netherlands, used in EV chargers.

For Advance Cable Technologies, Mahindra Electric has been a key client for the supply of charging cable for EVs. While the cables are majorly made at its plant in Bangalore, child parts such as connectors and pins are imported. Tata Motors and Ather Energy are other key clients for the company.

For Greenperspect, IoT controllers to make batteries and EV chargers smart and connected was its main product innovation on display. The company is working with charging infrastructure, battery swap solution players and battery pack manufacturers to offer its technology and leverage data from batteries - an integral part of the EV ecosystem.

Noida-based OVN Technologies has tied up with Chinese giant BYD and is going to offer a range of EV-specific electronic components for the Indian market. The company will provide relay, capacitors, IGBT, sensors, fuses, LED lights and powertrain components to vehicle manufacturers in India. The company aims to leverage some of BYD's global clientele and enhance its footprint in the market.

The Innovation Pavilion was one of the most vibrant sections of the Components Show in Pragati Maidan and as times keep changing and the wheels of fortunes keep turning, start-ups and disruptors will play a key role in the transformation of mobility and automotive industry in the coming future.