Hyundai Motor Group Establishes Battery, Electrification Research Hub At IIT Delhi

Hyundai Motor Group on Wednesday inaugurated its Center of Excellence (CoE) for future mobility technology at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, marking a key step towards developing advanced electrification and battery systems via academic-industrial collaboration.

"We are excited to work with India's brightest minds in battery innovation," Heuiwon Yang, President and Head of R&D Division, Hyundai Motor Group, said in a statement.

The initiative involves nine selected joint research projects in partnership with various IITs across India. These collaborative efforts focus on critical areas of battery technology including cell development, systems integration, testing protocols, management systems, energy density improvements, safety mechanisms, durability enhancements, and diagnostic capabilities.

"Collaborating with leading researchers and IIT professors through the Hyundai Center of Excellence for future mobility technology will help us develop technologies tailored to India while contributing to its economy and society. We see this partnership with India's academia and industry as a foundation for building a sustainable future together," he added.

Leadership of the CoE's Steering Committee will be shared between Executive Vice President Chang Hwan Kim from Hyundai and Professor Bijaya Ketan Panigrahi representing IIT Delhi.

Expansion Of Future Technology Research Program

The automobile manufacturer is also broadening the scope of its Future Technology Research Program, which has been operational since 2021. This program employs an unconventional approach to academic-industrial partnerships by inviting university faculty to propose their own research topics, which Hyundai then evaluates for potential selection.

Previously restricted to domestic Korean universities and Korean professors at overseas institutions, the program has now been extended to include international faculty, beginning with professors at IITs.

Nationwide Network In Development

The company plans to develop the initiative in phases, starting with IIT Delhi as the foundation for an extensive India-wide network of experts that will connect prominent researchers and institutions throughout the country.

At present, Hyundai's academic partnerships include three IITs (Delhi, Bombay, and Madras), involving approximately 30 professors. The company has set an ambitious target to expand its academic network to include 10 Indian universities, including institutions beyond the IIT system, with around 100 professors participating by December 2025.