BITS Pilani, Daimler Truck to Set Up Research Lab in Goa
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The future of mobility will be shaped at the intersection of technology, research, and talent. Recognizing this opportunity, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) and Daimler Truck Innovation Center India (DTICI) have entered a strategic partnership to establish the Software, Product, AI Research & Knowledge (SPARK) Lab at the BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus. The collaboration reflects a shared belief that solving the complex challenges of tomorrow’s commercial vehicle industry requires deeper integration between academia and industry.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani; Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus; and Mr. Radhakrishnan Kodakkal, Managing Director and CEO, DTICI, at the BITS Pilani Goa campus on 10 August 2026. Beyond research, the partnership seeks to create an ecosystem where innovation, talent development, and industry relevance reinforce each other.
Speaking on the collaboration, Mr. Radhakrishnan Kodakkal, MD & CEO, DTICI, said, “The future of trucks will be defined as much by software and AI as by engineering excellence. Through this partnership, we are creating a platform where academia and industry can come together to accelerate innovation and shape the next generation of intelligent, connected, and sustainable commercial vehicles.”
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said, “At BITS Pilani, we strongly believe that meaningful industry partnerships play a pivotal role in translating academic research into real-world impact. Our collaboration with Daimler Truck Innovation Center India reflects our commitment to advancing frontier technologies while nurturing an ecosystem where students and researchers work together to develop solutions for the future of mobility. The SPARK Lab will act as a catalyst for innovation, interdisciplinary research, and technology development.”
Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus, said, “This collaboration with Daimler Truck Innovation Center India will create unique opportunities for our faculty and students to work alongside industry experts on the campus premises, new landmark for us. Such partnerships will convert the sparks of ideas into fire of translation.”
By combining academic excellence with industry expertise, this partnership seeks to accelerate innovation and develop technologies that will define the future of commercial vehicles.
