The automotive industry is evolving rapidly to enhance customer experience while significantly improving road safety. Against this backdrop, SAE India – Northern India Section organised the 5th edition of “Motion in Control 2026”, a two-day conference focused on Vehicle Dynamics and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
The conference, supported by Maruti Suzuki, ATS, ICAT and GARC, attracted a distinguished line-up of speakers and delegates from India and abroad. MOTORINDIA, the 70-year leading automotive monthly, served as the exclusive media partner for the event.
Welcoming the gathering, Dr. A. S. Ramadhas, Director – Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC), outlined the key growth drivers for ADAS adoption. He highlighted that India is gradually transitioning from passive safety to active and preventive safety systems, supported by regulatory initiatives such as BNCAP and rapid technological advancements. Given the complexity of Indian traffic conditions, he emphasised that India-specific testing is critical and can be supported by testing agencies such as ARAI, GARC, ICAT and NATRAX.
Referring to GARC’s capabilities at Oragadam, Dr. Ramadhas noted that the centre has positioned itself to offer world-class testing services. These include well-equipped EMI/EMC laboratories, ADAS testing facilities for braking and steering systems, and advanced instrumentation capabilities.
Speaking during the inaugural session, Mr. Vivek Trivedi, Executive Vice President – Engineering, Maruti Suzuki Limited, observed that India, which accounts for nearly 16 per cent of the world’s population, faces significant challenges in addressing mobility and road safety issues. However, the integration of vehicle dynamics technologies and ADAS features is helping reduce road accidents to some extent.
He pointed out that India accounts for a high proportion of global road accidents, largely due to behavioural challenges among two-wheelers, three-wheelers and pedestrians. Addressing these concerns, he said, requires India-specific technological solutions that can build customer trust and ensure responsible usage of ADAS systems.
Dr. V. Vikraman, Chief of Renault Engineering, Renault Group India, spoke about the “paradox” of vehicle dynamics, highlighting how parameters such as ride comfort must be balanced with safety and ADAS performance. He noted that ADAS systems for Indian roads require specialised approaches and training due to the unique driving conditions in the country. To effectively address these challenges, he stressed the need for creative engineering solutions.
Mr. R. Balakrishnan, President – Brake Component Division, Rane (Madras) Limited, delivered a detailed presentation on ADAS and its impact on the automotive component ecosystem. He noted that awareness and adoption of ADAS are increasing globally, with nearly 90 per cent of passenger vehicles expected to be equipped with ADAS features by 2030. With an estimated CAGR of around 12 per cent, ADAS technologies are becoming increasingly integral across various systems, including electronic power steering and braking systems. He added that the Rane Group currently manufactures components associated with three out of the five key “muscles” of ADAS.
Mr. Krishnaswamy Jambunathan, Vice President and Head – Tech Center, ZF India, spoke about the evolving ADAS landscape in India and the broader realities of road safety in the country.
Mr. Manish Menon, Associate Director – Mobility, MarketsandMarkets, highlighted the growing relevance of active safety technologies while outlining current industry trends and the future direction of ADAS development.
In his address, Mr. S. Ramanathan, Vice Chairman – Seminars and Conferences, SAE NIS, and Managing Director of ATS, who was also the driving force behind organising the event, emphasised the need to focus on engineering-led solutions. He stressed the importance of developing robust testing systems and leveraging emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence to advance vehicle safety.
The two-day conference featured several engaging technical sessions. The valedictory session was addressed by leading experts from the automotive industry, including Dr. G. Nagarajan, President – SAE India; Mr. N. Balasubramanian, Vice President – Product Engineering, Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India; Dr. Shankar Venugopal, Vice President – Mahindra & Mahindra; Mr. Manoj Aggarwal, Vice President – Engineering, Maruti Suzuki; and Mr. Hari Krishnan M., Senior General Manager – Maruti Suzuki and Convenor of MIC – 5th Edition.
The session was moderated by Mr. Murrali T., Associate Editor – Automotive Vertical, MOTORINDIA.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. U. D. Bhangale, Director – SAE NIS, thanked all stakeholders, speakers and participants who contributed to the successful conduct of the event.
During the two-day conference, GARC also organised a track demonstration showcasing various testing capabilities, which was well received by participants and visitors.