Mercedes-Benz recently hosted its annual Innovation Collective event, “Innovation Collective 2025,” transforming its Bengaluru and Pune offices in India into vibrant centers for technological exploration and forward-thinking ideas. This three-day event served as a powerful platform to showcase Mercedes R&D’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive innovation.
The event commenced with Dr. Aloknath De emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to innovation, setting an inspiring tone for the discussions that followed. A key highlight was the panel discussion moderated by Balaji Sethuraman, which delved into cutting-edge topics like quantum computing, neuromorphic systems, and breakthroughs in Gen AI. Esteemed panelists including Dr. Anil Prabhakar, Dr. Chetan Singh Thakur, Arjun Jain, and Parthiv Shah provided valuable insights into these transformative technologies and their potential impact on the automotive industry.
The leadership team at MBRDI, guided by Raghuraman Ramamoorthy and including Prasanna Gonuguntla, Umang Dharmik, and Praveen Bhatt, explored the dynamics of innovation, emphasizing how challenges, collaborative efforts, and disruptive technologies are crucial drivers. Further discussions, led by Dr. Hari Prasad Konka, highlighted the critical factors in transitioning technology from concept to product, focusing on technological readiness, manufacturing feasibility, and commercial viability. Dr. Karim Nili further elaborated on the strategic role of intellectual property (IP) in empowering innovators by providing essential tools and data.
The intersection of engineering excellence, luxury vehicle design, and sustainable practices in enhancing customer experience was examined by Santosh Iyer, Vyankatesh Kulkarni, and Brendon Sissing. The Startup Autobahn India panel, featuring Naganand Doraswamy, Shweta Pandey, and Shashikant Adsul, and moderated by Dr. Anshuman Awasthi, underscored the significance of ecosystem collaboration in fostering innovation. Participating startups like QpiAI, Algoworks, Deevia Software, CY4, and Fabrik presented their latest advancements, showcasing the dynamic landscape of automotive technology.
Special addresses from Manu Saale, Eileen Böhme, Marc Linkenbach, Dr. Torsten Eder, and Dr. Michael Hafner further energized the event. Beyond insightful discussions, Innovation Collective 2025 featured hands-on tech demonstrations, special recognition awards, and the mbrdiQ automotive innovation quiz. Vignesh Prakash and Kishan Lal K were celebrated as quiz winners, with Abhishek Nair and Suhas Shivayogi recognized as runners-up.
As the event concluded, participants returned to their work with renewed inspiration and innovative ideas, ready to further propel Mercedes R&D’s engine of progress.
