The inaugural Autonomous BAJA SAEINDIA (aBAJA) is set to take place from October 4 to 6, 2024, at the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in Kothrud, Pune. Organised by the Society of Automotive Engineers India (SAEINDIA) and co-hosted by Ajeenkya DY Patil University (ADYPU), this competition marks the culmination of the BAJA SAEINDIA 2024 season focusing on autonomous driving technology. The event signifies the convergence of mechanical, electric, CNG, and hydrogen-powered vehicle categories into a cohesive ‘Multiverse of Mobility’ theme.eBAJA’s collaborations
The competition was officially inaugurated at a press conference at ADYPU on September 30, 2024. This season’s aBAJA has garnered support from 40 diverse partners in industry and academia, including Automotive Test Systems, Daimler Truck Innovation Center India, and the Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation Systems at IIT Hyderabad. Major organisations like SAE International, SIAM, and AICTE are also backing the event. Registrations for aBAJA 2025 will open on October 6, 2024, with SAEINDIA seeking further support from additional organizations.
S. Balraj, Chairman of the Organising Committee for BAJA SAEINDIA 2025, welcomed participants and highlighted the enduring legacy of the competition. “BAJA SAEINDIA has forged an impressive legacy over the years, challenging students to solve real-world problems and shaping them into future leaders of the industry. What started as a humble initiative back in 2007, has today become an institution with close ties to the automotive fraternity, providing students with the right platform to carve a firm pedestal for themselves. They build all-terrain buggies, and we put them through all kinds of situations. The result is invaluable problem-solving skills and hands-on experience, which no book or classroom can impart. Going hand-in-hand with academia, BAJA SAEINDIA serves as the crucial link to take students to the next level.”
Vijay Pankhawala, Sr Deputy Director of ARAI, emphasised the importance of education and awareness in technology and innovation within the engineering student community. “BAJA SAEINDIA, since its inception, has been committed to bridge the gap between industry and academia. It is indeed a pleasure to see so many BAJA SAEINDIA alumni become successful professionals across the automotive industry, even within ARAI. ARAI has been supporting BAJA since its inception and is very proud to host Autonomous BAJA (aBAJA SAEINDIA) at ARAI. ARAI’s technical team has been actively involved in preparation of this event over last few months with active participation for guiding, evaluating and supporting organisers and also student teams. ARAI is simultaneously organising Student Innovation ideathon called as ‘Intellimobility’ in association with SAEINDIA. More than 100 teams across India have participated in this ideathon and selected TOP 20 finalist teams are going to present their ideas to industry experts during final round to be held simultaneously with aBaja Finale. Educating students before they step into the industry gives them the confidence to address the challenges the mobility industry faces now and in the future. I wish all the participants and organisers the very best for aBAJA SAEINDIA.”Arun Shankar, Convener for aBAJA SAEINDIA 2024 and Head of Innovation at Continental Autonomous Mobility India, congratulated the team effort behind the event. “Bringing this all together is a true team effort. From the Steering Committee to the Organising Committee to the Alumni Committee, each member’s dedication has been vital to our success year after year. The introduction of aBAJA marks a historic milestone as it is the inaugural instance of an autonomous category within BAJA SAEINDIA. This pioneering phase not only highlights the innovative capabilities of our participating teams, but also paves the way for future advancements in autonomous vehicle technology. We are excited to announce that registrations for next year’s aBAJA SAEINDIA 2025 will commence from 6th Oct 2024 with an early bird incentive, promising another year of innovation and excellence as we continue to push the frontiers of automotive engineering.”
The roadmap
The rigorous readiness checks for participating teams will commence from September 30, including evaluations of technical, electrical, mechanical, autonomous, and safety systems to ensure all vehicles meet stringent competition standards. The inauguration on October 4 will kickstart the Static Evaluations focusing on Design, CAE, Sustainability, and Sales Presentation, testing teams’ strategic and engineering proficiencies.
Dynamic Evaluations on October 5 will assess brake and actuation systems, along with object detection and tracking capabilities. The day will also include the first round of the Intellimobility Ideathon by ARAI, aimed at innovative mobility solutions. The grand finale on October 6 will feature the Remote Driving System (RDS) event, putting autonomous buggies through real-world conditions, followed by the Valedictory ceremony rewarding top teams. Prominently, the diversity ratio of participants is 33%, including an all-girl team of 30 members.
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Jain, Vice Chancellor of Ajeenkya DY Patil University, stressed the educational impact of BAJA SAEINDIA.“BAJA SAEINDIA serves as a vital bridge between academia and industry, integrating technological and innovative skills with essential soft skills such as communication, time management, leadership, passion and teamwork. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to creating meaningful outcomes through collaborative efforts, perfectly aligning with the University’s vision.”
Dr. Jain also expressed his gratitude for the university’s role in the event and emphasised its importance for student career development. The event also includes an HR Meet at ADYPU, where third- and fourth-year engineering students selected through the BAJA Aptitude Test (BAT) will participate in a recruitment process. This provides sponsoring companies an opportunity to recruit talented students directly from the competition, supporting both student career aspirations and industry talent acquisition.
K C Vora, Professor of Practice & Advisor, BAJA SAEINDIA 2025, spoke on the alignment of the event with the evolving technological landscape. “BAJA SAEINDIA 2024 has embraced the theme ‘Multiverse of Mobility’ by introducing two new categories, reflecting the convergence of diverse technologies, transportation modes, safety and sustainability initiatives. This approach not only showcases the wide array of possibilities available for individuals and societies but also provides students with invaluable experiences that enhance their readiness as future technocrats, entrepreneurs, designers, innovators and leaders. This initiative supports the vision of the Automotive Mission Plan, Electric Mobility Mission Plan, and National Green Hydrogen Mission Plan, aiming to position India as a global automotive hub.”
