IIT-Madras partners with Altair to launch e-mobility simulation lab

Indian Institute of Technology-Madras has partnered with Altair, a US-based provider of solutions in simulation, high-performance computing and artificial intelligence, to launch an e-mobility simulation lab.

Set up in the institute’s Department of Engineering Design, this lab will have state-of-the-art products and tools along with financial support from Altair, the institute said in a press release. This will be followed with other labs and facilities to deliver research and training in the e-mobility domain, it said.

“In the coming years, we will be seeing a cluster of initiatives, facilities and programmes in e-mobility from IIT-Madras to equip industry and government to address the challenges in ramping up the market for EVs (electric vehicles),” IIT-Madras director V Kamakoti said.

The lab will host Altair’s modelling and simulation tools which will support the academic activities that IIT-Madras will carry out in the other e-mobility labs for batteries, charging, power electronics, motors and controllers and vehicle engineering, among other related areas.

These facilities will together support the multiple academic initiatives that the Department of Engineering Design has started in the area of e-mobility, it said.

Vishwanath Rao, managing director – India at Altair, said: “The e-mobility simulation lab at IIT-Madras represents a pivotal stride in advancing research within the electric vehicle domain and advocating for sustainable transportation solutions.”Commenting on the partnership with Altair, Mahesh Panchagnula, dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), at IIT-Madras, said: “Partnerships such as this bring together industry and academic expertise – both increasingly essential ingredients for creating successful startups and ideas.”The Department of Engineering Design at IIT-Madras has, over the last three years, developed and launched a series of initiatives and programmes in the area of e-mobility.

“The vision is to have these initiatives make the department as a hub for all e-mobility-related matters,” said CS Shankar Ram, head of the Department of Engineering Design.

The e-mobility simulation lab will enhance student learning in related courses, support academic projects and research, and complement skilling initiatives in the e-mobility domain.