Latest news with #PawanGoenka
Time of India
a day ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Lessons from space can help Indian auto leap ahead, says Pawan Goenka
As India races towards an electric mobility future, industry veteran Dr Pawan Goenka , Chairman of IN-SPACe and former Managing Director of Mahindra & Mahindra , believes the road ahead must begin with a fundamental transformation of India's automotive supply chain — starting with localising high-quality component manufacturing. 'In EVs, low-hanging fruits are already picked. We need to reach higher now,' Goenka told ET Manufacturing at the sixth edition of the Auto Tech Summit. 'India simply cannot afford to lag in developing capabilities for all major EV components — battery packs, motors, controllers, chargers, power electronics — everything. Today, the challenge isn't talent or ambition. It's scale.' Despite the emergence of hundreds of Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers across the country, Indian manufacturers still depend heavily on imports for several critical components, especially motors and advanced battery systems in the four-wheeler segment. Goenka pointed out that although battery pack assembly is now being done locally by most OEMs, large-scale motor manufacturing for electric cars remains elusive. 'Three-wheeler and two-wheeler motors are made here, but four-wheeler motors are still being imported. That must change,' he said. The Indian auto component industry recorded its highest-ever revenue of ₹5.6 lakh crore in FY24, according to the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), representing a 14.6 per cent year-on-year growth. The country also exported components worth $20.3 billion during the same period, showing India's competitiveness in global supply chains. But growth, Goenka said, is being held back by fragmentation and lack of scale. 'Multiple suppliers catering to small volumes means no one achieves efficiency. What's needed now is collaboration among OEMs — not competition — in sourcing key EV components. That's how we built scale in ICE vehicles over 25 years. We need to do the same for EVs.' He also warned OEMs not to regress to a 1990s mindset — prioritising short-term margins over long-term capability building. 'This is the time to push the supplier ecosystem forward, not cut corners,' he said. Space-age lessons for automotive scale Goenka's transition from the automotive sector to leading India's space commercialisation push has only reinforced his perspective on building ecosystems. 'Every sector change is an opportunity to learn and contribute. When I moved from cars to space, the technology complexity was staggering. But what I brought from automotive — supplier development, manufacturing discipline, ecosystem thinking — proved very useful.' He noted that while technology is unlikely to flow from automotive into space due to complexity gaps, process innovations certainly can. 'Space manufacturing today operates in batch mode. Automotive has mastered continuous flow. That's a mindset we can apply in space to scale faster,' Goenka said. India's space sector is also witnessing a parallel shift. Since the opening of the space economy to private players in 2020, over 190 space-tech startups have emerged in India, with investments crossing ₹1,000 crore in the past 24 months, as per IN-SPACe estimates. The ambition now is to grow India's share in the global space economy from the current 2 per cent to 10 per cent in the next decade — a leap that would require ecosystem-level thinking similar to what the automotive industry experienced two decades ago. Conversely, the automotive sector can stand to gain a lot from aerospace — if cost barriers are cracked. Technologies like advanced sensors, gyroscopes, anti-vibration systems, and thermal insulation, which are critical in space missions, could be translated into automotive use cases — particularly safety — if frugally engineered. 'The real challenge is bringing those costs down by removing unnecessary features and localising production. Institutions like ARAI could play a key role in bridging that gap,' he noted. Road Safety: A Cultural Imperative When asked about safety — especially for India's vulnerable two-wheeler users — Goenka acknowledged that while vehicle safety has improved drastically, the deeper issue lies elsewhere. 'Ten years ago, Indian cars weren't safe. Today, thanks to Gadkari's push, our norms match global standards. But the bigger problem is behaviour — lack of discipline on roads, refusal to wear helmets, disregard for rules. That's where we are failing.' India accounted for nearly 1.68 lakh road accident deaths in 2022, with two-wheelers involved in over 44 per cent of fatal crashes, according to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways data. Despite improved crash-test regulations and the proliferation of safer cars, India still leads the world in road fatalities. Goenka was blunt in his criticism: 'Educated people not wearing helmets — what could be more foolish? You're risking your life for what? There's no excuse. It's not a technology issue; it's a societal one.' EV Adoption: From promise to pragmatism Goenka was candid about the electric vehicle (EV) adoption journey in India. 'Three-wheelers led the charge because it made direct economic sense — more earnings, lower running costs. Mahindra's Treo helped create that ecosystem. Two-wheelers followed due to aggressive startup activity and affordability. But four-wheelers and commercial vehicles? OEMs just didn't back them early enough.' He believes momentum is finally picking up, thanks to improving products and falling battery costs. The average price of lithium-ion cells dropped by nearly 14% in 2023 globally, according to BloombergNEF, making EVs more competitive with ICE vehicles. 'New launches like the Tata BE.9, Maruti's eVX, and upcoming Korean models are changing the landscape. Once these vehicles become mainstream, adoption will accelerate. I drive a BE.9 myself — it's a joy. Costs ₹2 per km to run, compared to ₹17 for petrol. I took it to Pune and back without charging — range anxiety is no longer a real issue.' India's overall EV penetration stood at around 6.4 per cent in FY24, led primarily by electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, which together account for nearly 90% of total EV sales. The passenger car EV segment, while growing, still forms only about 2 per cent of the total car market. Goenka expects this to change steadily: 'Let's not expect miracles. I would cautiously say 10 per cent penetration for EV four-wheelers by 2030 is achievable — provided manufacturers continue to launch compelling products and maintain pricing discipline.' He also dismissed the often cited charging infrastructure concern. 'Range has gone up so much that charging at home is enough for most use cases. Public chargers are growing anyway. That challenge is mostly behind us.' From space-grade safety principles to coordinated localisation in EVs, Dr Goenka's central message is clear: India must stop thinking small. Whether it's components, scale, or vision, the next phase of Indian mobility will demand more collaboration, deeper innovation, and unwavering focus on long-term value.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
India's space sector must shift beyond ISRO, go global: Pawan Goenka
India's space sector needs to move beyond dependence on ISRO, build globally competitive full-stack solutions, and aggressively pursue international markets, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) Chairman Pawan Goenka has said. Speaking at the annual India Space Congress organised by the Satcom Industry Association (SIA) on Wednesday, Goenka said firms in the sector should stop worrying about 'when will ISRO give me business' and instead pursue other government departments — both in India and abroad. Goenka also highlighted the need to build foundational models for geospatial and earth observation applications by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data fusion. 'There is so much that is happening outside the space sector in terms of technology that has to be brought inside the space sector, and there is no one better to do that than the private sector,' he said. One such area is space internet of things (IoT), which he said must be pursued more aggressively. Referring to constellations of small or nanosatellites that manage IoT devices and sensors across the globe, space IoT is already being used for real-time tracking of ships, aircraft and trucks in remote locations. He also said India's own regional satellite navigation system, NavIC, needs to be brought into mainstream civil applications through technological integration. Developed by ISRO as an alternative to foreign systems such as GPS, NavIC remains underutilised outside strategic sectors. Major bids soon Two major initiatives — the Earth Observation Constellation and Satellite-as-a-Service (SataaS) — will see final bids next week, Goenka said, allowing the private sector to engage with government support. SataaS is a business model where satellite operators provide access to satellite data, imagery, communications or navigation services on a subscription or pay-per-use basis, rather than requiring customers to own or launch their own satellites. One such offering is the Earth Observation Constellation, a group of satellites specifically designed to collect data about the Earth's surface, atmosphere and environment. These satellites work together to provide frequent, high-resolution imagery and other data for applications like environmental monitoring, agriculture, disaster management and urban planning. Goenka called for moving from a 'build-to-print' model to a design-centric mentality. He said ISRO is already working on reusable rockets, in-orbit servicing, space robotics and space manufacturing — areas pioneered commercially by companies such as Elon Musk's SpaceX. Stating that regulatory uncertainties and spectrum assignment issues have now been addressed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and the Department of Telecommunications, Goenka said three licences have already been granted for low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations for communication. These, he said, are expected to help bridge India's digital divide.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
India Space Congress 2025: ‘Time for space sector to lead with urgency,' says IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka
The regulatory uncertainties talked about by the satellite communications industry are all coming towards a resolution, said Dr Pawan Goenka, the chairman of The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe). He also confirmed that the Indian government has awarded Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licences for low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations to three satcom firms. 'We have given three licenses for LEO satellite constellation for communication already, and with all of these things, I hope that the digital divide that India has will be taken care of, and India will be able to take communication in every nook and corner at affordable rates very quickly,' Goenka said at the India Space Congress 2025 held by Satcom Industry Association (SIA-India) in Delhi on Wednesday, 25 June. The three-day conference hosted by the space industry body representing Hughes Communication, Agnikul, etc., kicked off on the same day as the launch of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, with India's Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts on board. The mission had faced multiple delays because of weather and technical issues before finally taking off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, US at about 12pm India time on Wednesday. 'Many private sector companies have demonstrated their capability in multiple areas and also realised at the same time that space is not a game for kids. There is a lot that needs to be done, a lot of technological complexities. Even well-known launches get delayed multiple times in order to get it right. But that should not be a concern at all,' Goenka said. Elon Musk's Starlink recently became the third satcom firm to become licensed to operate in India, following Eutelsat's OneWeb and Reliance Jio. While India is set to assign spectrum to satellite firms through administrative allocation instead of auctions, tensions between telecom and satcom companies have reportedly flared up again over the recent proposal by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to impose a four per cent adjusted gross revenue (AGR) charge on satellite spectrum. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, objected to the four per cent charge as being 'unjustifiably low' compared to spectrum charges for terrestrial networks. In a rebuttal, the Broadband India Forum (BIF), an industry association comprising Big Tech and satellite companies, said that the level-playing field argument was flawed and misrepresented. On the new initiative enabling the technology transfer of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLVs) by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to commercial players, Goenka said that it was a clear example of the Indian government putting its money where its mouth is. Earlier this month, fighter jet maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) won the first bid to commercialise the SSLV with the technology transfer set to take place over the next two years. Goenka also revealed that final bids from startups and private companies to help build and maintain India's first earth observation (EO) constellation as well as satellite-bus-as-a-service (SBaaS) were set to come in over the next few weeks. 'These two initiatives will allow the private sector to enter the space industry with the help of the government, not just financially but also to demonstrate what they can do now,' he said. The Rs 1,500 crore-EO satellite constellation project is aimed at gathering more geospatial data while the SBaaS initiative was launched by IN-SPACe to allow private players to design and build satellite buses where payloads and scientific instruments are typically held.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
India's drive toward autonomous, AI-native mobility begins
At the ETAutoTech Summit 2025, the tone was set: India's not just chasing innovation — it's building its own. The event brought together leaders from across the ecosystem to talk AI, autonomy, indigenous IP, and collaboration with unlikely partners like ISRO. Meanwhile, Tesla's robotaxi rollout faces technical and political turbulence, even as Indian AVs quietly inch forward. From IIT Hyderabad's TiHAN to TCS' SDV labs in Europe — it's clear: the road to future mobility is being paved fast, and everywhere. ETAutoTech Summit 2025: Innovation and urgency to scale indigenous capabilities take centre stage India's automotive industry is going full throttle on localisation — from electrification to AI-native platforms . ETAutoTech Summit 2025 became the rallying point for stakeholders who believe India isn't just participating in the EV-autonomous revolution — it's aiming to lead it. Read more ETAutoTech Summit 2025: Pawan Goenka urges ISRO-Auto industry collaboration on sensor tech In one of the event's key moments, Pawan Goenka called for ISRO to team up with automakers to build world-class sensor systems. From GNSS to LIDAR, the pitch is simple — space-grade precision could power the next-gen Indian autonomous stack. Read more Indian autonomous driving tech for India, and the world Autonomy isn't one-size-fits-all — and India's proving it. With unpredictable roads and unique conditions, Indian AV developers are solving edge cases that global players can't. This video explores how our chaos could become our competitive advantage. Watch now How is Tesla expected to remotely control its robotaxis, and what are its limitations? Tesla's approach to robotaxis involves remote operation fallback — think human drivers overseeing fleets through control centers. But real-time decision-making over networks has its risks: latency, liability, and edge-case failures remain unresolved. Read more TiHAN-IITH moots industry consortium for autonomous navigation TiHAN at IIT Hyderabad is building the R&D backbone for Indian autonomy. It now wants to create an industry consortium to leverage its testbeds, labs, and simulation platforms. A collaborative effort to drive standards and scale. Read more TCS expands software-defined vehicle capabilities in Europe with new hub With new centres in Germany and Romania, TCS is doubling down on SDVs — building embedded software, cloud stacks and cybersecurity layers for next-gen cars. The global auto industry is clearly taking Indian IT very seriously. Read more Elon Musk faces pushback as Texas lawmakers urge delay of Tesla robotaxi launch Regulatory brakes are being applied in the US. Lawmakers in Texas want Tesla to pause its robotaxi deployment, citing safety concerns and lack of transparency. The tension between innovation and regulation is on full display. Read more As India accelerates toward a software-first, AI-powered mobility future, the question is no longer 'if' but 'how soon.' The tools are being built, the coalitions are forming, and the ambition is loud and clear. The next lap? Real-world execution — at scale. We'd love to hear what you think about this edition of the newsletter! Your feedback and suggestions help us improve and deliver content that matters to you.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Startups cheer HAL's takeover of SSLV rocket; hope it boosts market for small satellites
With the defense PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd ( HAL ) becoming the first Indian firm to own, build, and commercialise the Indian Space Research Organisation's ( ISRO ) SSLV rocket, sections of Indian startups are hopeful the deal will help them rely less on launch service providers overseas, get better schedule visibility, and save on costs. So far, most Indian startups, such as Pixxel, Digantara, and GalaxEye's upcoming mission Drishti, have used SpaceX for their launches. Some startups have also conducted payload testing on ISRO's shared missions. Startups told ET that if HAL can offer transparent pricing and firm launch windows, they would strongly prefer to work with Indian launch providers. Industry experts said the government should consider incentivising private payloads launched on Indian rockets to build a stronger homegrown ecosystem. SatLeo Labs CEO Shravan S Bhati, building thermal imaging satellites for low earth orbit (LEO), said the move will open new avenues for the competitive small satellite market and free up ISRO's think tank for deeper research and development (R&D) and planetary missions. The small satellite market, as per Stratview Research, will be valued at $7.7 billion by 2030. The small satellite market, as per Stratview Research (2024), was valued at $6.7 billion and is projected to grow to $7.7 billion by 2030. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Beyond Text Generation: An AI Tool That Helps You Write Better Grammarly Install Now Undo Earlier, in an interview with ET, Pawan Goenka, chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion & Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), said the regulator-cum-promoter will be setting up a dedicated launch centre for small satellite launches. 'Our target is to conduct 25 small satellite launches per year across three vehicles (SSLV, Agnikul's, and Skyroot's rockets), securing a major share of the global market.' Ahmedabad-based PierSight Space's cofounder, Vinit Bansal, working on maritime technology, said that transferring SSLV technology to an agency focussed on production, such as HAL, can enable more SSLV launches per year. 'SSLV can now serve as an 'Uber to space,' providing flexible access to specific orbits that are not feasible through shared missions,' he added. Live Events Challenges persist, but startups hopeful Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Awais Ahmed, founder of Google-backed Pixxel, said that for startups such as his, this can reduce dependency on foreign launch providers and improve scheduling predictability. The startup launched its Firefly constellation of hyperspectral satellites earlier this year from SpaceX. 'If SSLV is reliably available and HAL builds institutional maturity in launch operations, it would certainly make access easier and potentially more cost-competitive,' Ahmed told ET. Another space tech startup, SpaceFields' founder, Apurwa Masook, building solid rocket propulsion technology for aerospace and defence and collaborating with HAL, said the global launch market is highly competitive and demands aggressive customer acquisition and agile supply chain management. He pointed out that traditional Indian DPSUs like HAL have historically faced challenges, which is also evident in their growing backlogs in military deliveries. 'For SSLV to succeed in the commercial market, HAL would need to rethink its go-to-market strategy and possibly lean more on nimble private sector collaborators,' the Bengaluru-based Masook said.
