Radhakrishnan Kodakkal has taken cost as managing director and CEO of Daimler Truck Innovation Centre India (DTICI), the corporate’s Bengaluru-based world hub for product engineering and digital capabilities. As industrial autos quickly evolve into software-defined, related machines, DTICI is enjoying a central position in shaping Daimler Truck’s know-how roadmap – from AI-led improvement and superior security programs to decarbonisation methods.
On this interview with Sudhir Chowdhary, Kodakkal outlines his priorities for scaling India’s position within the world ecosystem, constructing future-ready expertise, and navigating the advanced shift towards zero-emission transport. He additionally shares insights on how software program, information, and collaboration are redefining the very DNA of the industrial automobile {industry}. Excerpts:
What will likely be your prime priorities in strengthening DTICI’s place as Daimler Truck’s world innovation and engineering hub?
My major focus will likely be to additional strengthen India’s position throughout engineering, software program, digital platforms, and IT operations, reinforcing DTICI’s position as a strategic innovation and supply hub inside the world Daimler Truck ecosystem. We have now a robust basis to construct on, and the following part will likely be about scaling impression, deepening collaboration, and accelerating technology-led transformation. I firmly consider our individuals are our biggest asset, so nurturing expertise and fostering a tradition that helps steady studying and innovation will likely be one other key strategic precedence.
As vans turn into extra software-driven, how is DTICI constructing capabilities in areas like AI, and superior security?
We’re constructing the workforce for the longer term to assist software-defined automobile (SDV) applied sciences as vans turn into more and more software- and AI-driven. AI is being embedded throughout the end-to-end truck and bus improvement lifecycle, from software program and automobile improvement to manufacturing operations and provide chains.
With the rising availability of knowledge, AI and superior analytics have emerged as transformative forces in garnering significant actionable insights. We’re leveraging AI not simply as a technological functionality, however as a strategic enabler to ship measurable enterprise worth and we’re doing this by elevating related autos by means of distant diagnostics and predictive upkeep initiatives.
DTICI performs a major position in automobile software program improvement and testing throughout key domains akin to energetic security, driver expertise, propulsion, automobile controls, and connectivity. Groups are actively contributing to next-generation SDV architectures in shut collaboration with world counterparts and our three way partnership companion, Coretura. In superior security, this consists of the transition from standalone superior driver help programs (ADAS) options like automated emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise management (ACC), and lane retaining help (LKA) to built-in ADAS platforms, enabling scalable, updateable security programs.
Decarbonisation stays the highest problem for the industrial automobile {industry}. How are you addressing this?
Decarbonising industrial transport is likely one of the hardest challenges our {industry} faces right this moment. In contrast to passenger autos, vans have to maneuver heavy payloads throughout lengthy distances, and meaning there is no such thing as a single know-how that may resolve the issue by itself. Battery-electric vans make sense for city and regional purposes, however for long-haul and heavy-duty transport, hydrogen will likely be important. The actual constraints lie in infrastructure availability and reaching value parity with diesel.
Decarbonisation is not only about switching fuels; it’s equally about software program, collaboration and constructing the suitable ecosystem.
Software program-defined autos, digital engineering and clever vitality administration will play a decisive position in bettering effectivity throughout your entire automobile lifecycle. This transition can’t be achieved in silos. Collaboration throughout OEMs, vitality suppliers, governments, and know-how companions is the necessity of the hour. India has a very essential position to play on this journey. With our engineering expertise and quickly increasing renewable vitality panorama, we’re nicely positioned to contribute at a worldwide stage and might undertake zero-emission industrial mobility at a fast tempo.
How is DTICI bridging the industry-academia hole for skilling expertise within the autotech house?
A collaborative effort involving academia, {industry}, and regulatory our bodies is essential to make sure the workforce of tomorrow has the talent units and is ready for future challenges. We work in collaboration with numerous academia, filling the hole usually present in conventional school curricula however is very wanted by the {industry}. We collaborate with numerous reputed educational establishments for pursuing numerous analysis & innovation and product orientation initiatives.
A few of our notable collaborations embrace our Tear down facility at Christ College the place college students, schools & our engineers achieve hands-on expertise – assembling and dismantling our merchandise and dealing on advanced automotive programs. We additionally work with IISc Bengaluru, IIT Delhi, and IIT Bombay on deep-tech analysis in eMotors, cell chemistry, digital twins of lithium-ion batteries, and new thermal battery applied sciences.
By our ‘College of Experience’ initiative, we determine centered expertise cohorts from academia and construct area of interest capabilities in areas like cybersecurity and different rising automotive applied sciences. We construct early-career expertise by means of our distinctive ‘Step Up’ initiative specializing in technical & skilled talent improvement initiatives curated collectively by our inhouse material consultants and {industry} professionals. Collectively, these initiatives mix hands-on studying, deep-tech collaboration, and centered functionality constructing – shaping a robust, future-ready expertise ecosystem for the following period of economic automobile innovation.
What are the upcoming developments redefining the industrial automobile {industry}?
The industrial automobile {industry} stands on the cusp of a profound transformation, ushering in a brand new period of automotive and digital innovation. We’re at a pivotal inflection level the place truck producers are reimagining their very DNA by harnessing the facility of digital applied sciences. From next-generation security programs and clever connectivity to tangible advances in autonomous driving, innovation is accelerating at unprecedented pace.
Logistics paradigms themselves are being redefined, giving rise to differentiated choices constructed round zero-emission platforms and software-first innovation. Autonomous mobility, sensible connectivity, huge information and superior analytics, and electrification are rising because the foundational pillars of this future. DTICI, with its deep, cross-domain experience, is enjoying a number one position in shaping and driving this transformative journey. Because the {industry} transitions from mechanical dominance to digital intelligence, automobile management is now not measured in horsepower however in computing energy and data-driven capabilities. The electrification journey within the CV phase has already commenced, and its impression is about to scale exponentially, redefining mobility, sustainability, and the way forward for transportation.