Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India, IIT Delhi Team Up for Five-Year Research Collaboration

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) have announced a partnership to conduct joint research programmes in fields related to mobility, technology, sustainability, and materials. The two research organisations have signed a formal five-year Master Research Agreement (MRA).

The association marks a significant opportunity for collaboration between academia and the industry, combining deep fundamental research with real-world applied engineering. Interdisciplinary researchers from IIT-Delhi and engineers from MBRDI will work together on joint research, prototype development, and real-world validation, aiming to create scalable, high-impact technology solutions. The two organisations have also said they foresee opportunities to develop new intellectual property.

The research themes identified at the outset include quantum technologies, future materials, neuromorphic engineering, and electric mobility. In first phase of the partnership, MBRDI and IIT-Delhi will undertake research in the areas of quantum sensors and battery systems.

In a joint statement, Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India said, “This year marks 140 years since the invention of the automobile, a chapter that reflects the beginning of Mercedes‑Benz’s journey in shaping mobility. MBRDI is also celebrating a milestone as we mark 30 years of engineering excellence in India. We envision a future where academia and industry are systemically partnering to realise real-world challenges and provide meaningful breakthroughs. In that context, our collaboration with IIT Delhi is a significant leap for our legacy of innovation, helping us redefine mobility faster and better. Together, we aim to shape solutions that make a difference today and in the years ahead.”

Professor Preeti Ranjan Panda, Dean of Corporate Relations at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi said, “We are pleased to partner with MBRDI in this collaboration, which builds upon IIT Delhi's commitment to enable knowledge exchange and co-creation with industry partners. Through this initiative, the Institute seeks to advance high-quality research and generate impactful innovations that enable sustainable, affordable, and future-ready mobility. Our objective is to develop solutions that address India’s mobility challenges while establishing new benchmarks for global impact.”

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) is Mercedes-Benz Group AG’s largest research and development centre outside Germany. It was established in 1996 and has contributed to the company’s development of connected, autonomous, and electric mobility technology. It currently employs over 8,500 people in Bengaluru and Pune who work on digital product development, interior component design, IT engineering, and services.

IIT Delhi is one of the 23 IITs created to be National Centres of Excellence for training, research, and development in science, engineering, and technology in India. Since its inception in 1961, IIT Delhi has produced more than 65,000 graduates, including over 7,000 PhD holders.