Collaborative Innovation

In his new role as Director at Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Dr Reji Mathai has his task cut out. He shares with Ashish Bhatia, his focus on collaborative research and development with the industry.

- Ashish Bhatia

Q. You’ve come at a very critical time with the automotive industry grappling with the broad choices of innovation, sustenance, localisation and compliance. How according to you is ARAI gearing up to play the role of a catalyst?

A. The Union budget 2021-22 has provided ample indication of the Government’s intent to promote innovation and support for the mobility sector. ARAI continues to facilitate collaborative innovation within the ecosystem for cost-effective and indigenous technology development. One such initiative is identifying key components which are currently being imported and indigenising the same. Framing regulatory norms, taking into consideration all the stakeholders has been an enabler in providing a level playing field to all. The next step is to frame a future roadmap for bringing in new norms, especially to address the safety aspects.

Q. How challenging according to you was the calendar year 2020 and the financial year 2021 on a Year-to-Date basis? Starting from the pre-BSVI rollout preparedness to the eventual rollout, and then having to see through the evolving operational dynamics in the pandemic?