Maruti Suzuki picks 5 startups, to help them develop cutting-edge solutions

India’s top auto maker, Maruti Suzuki India Limited is the latest to introduce a programme to incubate startups which can go on to deliver products and/or technologies that it can use in its own production lines. Many other businesses in India in the manufacturing and service sectors have adopted this practice. It helps with engaging fresh minds bringing in new concepts and innovations in their field of activity and the funds invested in the startups ultimately aid in improving the promoting company’s productivity and profits.

Mobility & Automobile Innovation Lab (MAIL) is the name given to the programme by Maruti and in this first lot, five startups have been chosen for Proof of Concept (PoC).

The names of the five startups are Enmovil, Docketrun, Eyedentify, Xane and SenseGiz. The areas the five will be working on include artificial intelligence and IoT technologies as applicable to the automobile industry. The ideas they develop could be either for use in the functioning of the different car models the company produces or innovations that could bring in more automation in the assembly line thereby increasing/improving productivity. The companies have made their presentations at the Demo Day held in New Delhi.

Maruti Suzuki’s Managing Director & CEO Kenichi Ayukawa says among the many disruptive technologies within the automobile industry they are looking at these startups to deliver path-breaking ideas on mobility and automobile solutions. These are testing times for the Indian automobile industry, possibly globally as well. The Indian situation is such that for 11 months in a row, almost all vehicle manufacturers have seen huge drop in sales of cars and other vehicles from their factories and there appears to be no revival in sight so far. They have to keep working on delivering the BS-VI compatible vehicles to stay relevant in the future. Electric mobility is an area of increasing attention.    

As part of the first cohort, the five startups have been through an acceleration programme within the Maruti Suzuki manufacturing and testing facilities. They have also been exposed to expert guidance in different areas. Among the five, SenseGiz has been selected as the winner with Xane following as the second placed and Eyedentify, the third. Enmovil and Docketrun could be moved to cohort 2 or clubbed with the next round of participants in the programme.