Blogs

MOTION, ACES, EV, Connected Vehicles

India's mobility sector is evolving at an unprecedented pace. As the global automotive industry pivots toward smarter, cleaner, and more connected transport systems, India is positioning itself not only as a manufacturing leader but also as a global innovation hub. Driving this transformation is the rise of Autonomous, Connected, Electric, and Shared (ACES) mobility — an area that is witnessing robust support from both industry and Government. One of the initiatives in this space is the MOTION Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) in Pune. A flagship initiative launched by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) under the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and supported by the Government of Maharashtra, MOTION CoE serves as a sector-focused innovation and incubation hub dedicated to ACES start-ups. Located at Electronic Sadan III, MIDC Bhosari, Pune, this 10,000 sq. ft. facility is equipped with cutting-edge labs, a 75-seater co-working space, and advanced prototyping infrastructure. It is backed by a powerful consortium including Tata Motors, Kinetic Group, Intel, MathWorks, Visteon, ARAI, SAE India, TiE Pune, and the College of Engineering Pune.

The Centre offers more than just infrastructure. It delivers a full-stack support system, combining expert mentorship, physical and virtual incubation, funding opportunities through the Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), assistance with Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), legal and financial services, and connections with investors and industry stakeholders. As a result, MOTION CoE has emerged as a key enabler of India's next-gen mobility vision. To date, the CoE has incubated 55 start-ups, surpassing its initial goal of 51. These ventures have collectively achieved a valuation of over `465 crore, generated over `34 crore in revenue, attracted over `23 crore in external funding, created more than 500 jobs, and launched 82 products and 128 prototypes. They have also filed 67 IP applications, of which 40 have already been granted. Among these, five standout start-ups exemplify the CoE's transformative potential. Attron Automotive is creating high-efficiency electric propulsion systems for two and three-wheelers. Their product portfolio includes integrated IPM PMSM motors and advanced controllers built on the proprietary Eta framework, designed to deliver superior performance and energy efficiency. Recognised by Inc42 as a top mobility start-up to watch, Attron's focus on R&D has resulted in one technology patent and two design registrations. With customisation, modularity, and performance at its core, Attron is poised to play a critical role in India's electric mobility transition. Combat Robotics is leveraging autonomous mobility to develop rugged unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) specifically designed for defence, disaster response, and public safety. These vehicles feature adaptive motion technology, night vision capabilities, and remote operation features, making them invaluable in high-risk environments. Combat Robotics has secured a project from Nagpur MahaMetro for railway track monitoring and has been selected in the first phase of the Indian Railways Innovation Challenge. As India scales up its electric vehicle ecosystem, energy storage becomes a critical enabler. Coulomb Li-Tech addresses this with its in-house development of lithium-ion batteries, battery management systems (BMS), electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and a cloud-based analytics platform. Its comprehensive tech stack supports diverse mobility and storage applications, making Coulomb a key contributor to India's energy resilience and EV adoption goals. Kairus Energies is innovating at the intersection of mobility, defence, and aerospace. Its advanced lithium-ion battery modules are engineered for extreme conditions, featuring a proprietary HITCH Tech™ thermal management system that ensures rapid charging, fire suppression, and performance optimisation.

Kairus has filed one technology patent, secured two design patents, and deployed 100+ kWh of storage systems. As electric vehicles gain traction, scalable charging infrastructure is crucial. Eidikos Business Enterprises is meeting this need with its Level 2 AC charging kiosks, specifically designed for e-bikes, e-rickshaws, and electric cars. Their hybrid model includes both Captive Charging and Charging-as-a-Service (CAAS). Their composite charging stations have been granted design registration, and their distributed deployment model is well-suited for urban and peri-urban areas in India.The journey of these start-ups reflects the broader impact MOTION CoE is making in the ACES space. By bringing together infrastructure, mentorship, funding, and real-world deployment opportunities, the CoE has emerged as a model platform for sectoral innovation. It aligns seamlessly with national initiatives, such as the Automotive Mission Plan 2047, which aims to position India as a global leader in sustainable, tech-driven mobility. As these ventures continue to scale, they are not only addressing India's transportation needs but also building solutions that are globally relevant. In doing so, MOTION CoE is proving that the future of mobility in India is about vision, innovation, and impact.

The writer is Director General, Software Technology Parks of India

Know more