Stellantis joined forces with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and its Centre for Innovation (CFI) to organize a Technical Idea Hackathon.
This initiative aimed to harness the creative potential of over 500 engineering students from IIT Madras to contribute innovative cost optimization ideas for the automotive industry.
A Hub of Creativity
The event, held in Chennai on March 4, 2024, transformed into a hub of creativity and collaboration. More than 500 students from diverse engineering streams at IIT Madras actively participated in a week-long exploration of innovative solutions.
The focal point of this Ideation Hackathon was the hands-on experience with Citroën Smart Car models, including the C3, eC3, and C3 Aircross. This immersive encounter provided students with valuable insights, fueling their creativity and inspiring ideas for frugal engineering solutions.
Ideation Workshop and Awards
Participants engaged in intensive brainstorming sessions, generating innovative ideas to tackle the challenges of cost optimization in the automotive industry.
Each group presented their top three ideas, demonstrating a profound understanding and dedication to finding practical solutions.
Six student innovation teams, showcasing enthusiasm and frugal engineering skills, were recognized and awarded cash prizes totaling INR 4 Lakhs.
Ashwani Muppasani, COO, Stellantis India & Asia Pacific, presented the awards, emphasizing Stellantis’ commitment to fostering industry-academia relations.
Stellantis’ Vision for Innovation
Ashwani Muppasani expressed Stellantis’ excitement to be part of the CFI Open House 2024 hosted by IIT Madras. He commended the student-designed cost optimization ideas, praising their practicality and potential real-world implementation.
Stellantis aspires to embrace breakthrough ideas, reinforcing its leadership in offering innovative, clean, safe, and affordable mobility.
“We congratulate all the winners and participating students for their outstanding commitment and efforts to display their spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation,” stated Ashwani Muppasani.
Fostering Students
The collaboration between Stellantis and IIT Madras exemplifies the importance of fostering industry-academia relations. This hackathon provided a platform for students to showcase their creativity and also created a bridge between academia and the automotive industry.
Stellantis’ dedication to leveraging breakthrough ideas for a sustainable and affordable mobility future reinforces its commitment to driving innovation.
Stellantis’ Vision
Ashwani Muppasani outlined an ambitious plan for the future. Stellantis aims to expand its green energy footprint, fostering the development of an additional 4000 charging points across Maharashtra.
This phased expansion not only extends the reach of accessible EV charging solutions but also ensures that these facilities are powered by 100% renewable energy sources.
This initiative aligns with Stellantis’ ‘Sustainable Is Attainable’ movement, positioning the company as a pioneer in the shift towards a greener future.