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Nasscom Mobility Confluence 2025: From building vehicles to building intelligence

Deeptech will be the differentiator for Indian mobility, experts say

From the CxO Roundtable on ‘From PoC to Production: Bridging the ‘Valley of Death’ in Mobility Innovation’ at Nasscom Mobility Confluence 2025 | Nasscom/X

It was for the first time in India that Nasscom organised its Nasscom Mobility Confluence 2025 at Bengaluru. The event brought in many interesting aspects to the fore—deeptech is essential for addressing mobility’s biggest challenges. 

Interestingly, India’s mobility sector is experiencing what economists call a structural breaker, a moment when all the old assumptions stop working.

As per a recent research which was released last month by Google and BCG, India’s mobility industry will more than double to cross 600 billion by 2030. There is a crucial shift from building vehicles to building intelligence, where electronics and software will account for 50 per cent of vehicle costs by 2030. The future of mobility depends on owning intellectual property and controlling platforms to become value creators, not just price takers, observed Shreya Sharma, Director and Head of Deeptech and Startups at Nasscom.

It was highlighted that as India’s mobility sector evolves, the shift from building vehicles to building intelligence will become essential. 

“Deeptech, from battery chemistries to AI models, will be the driving force. The companies and nations that control these innovations will capture the bulk of the industry’s value by 2035, positioning India as a global leader in mobility,” added Sharma.

Another interesting aspect of the confluence was when Sanjeev P, the Founder of E3 Technologies Private Limited, shared his approach to designing India’s first AI-powered modular EV scooter. He emphasised the importance of building a platform, not just a product, to address the diverse needs of families, gig workers, and fleets. 

“The scooter features a modular chassis, an AI health system, a digital-twin battery, and an intuitive phone-as-cluster OS, revolutionising the user experience,” remarked Sanjeev. He said that India’s two-wheeler market is growing rapidly, and his company is pushing the boundaries with a product that’s not just electric but intelligent, human-centric, and future-ready.

During the event, it was mentioned that as the mobility industry moves forward, software is becoming a pivotal differentiator, no longer just a tool for validation but a central player in driving innovation. During a panel discussion at the confluence, it was discussed that the shift of intelligence from within the vehicle to the cloud is reshaping the way vehicles interact with users. From personalisation to the concept of vehicles as a “third living space,” the conversation touched on how user-centric design is driving demand for smarter, more connected vehicles.

At the summit, Prof. Josphineleela Ramakrishnan from Panimalar Engineering College presented her research work on driver behaviour analysis using multimodal deep learning for intelligent transportation systems. 

“This system analyses real-time data from cameras and sensors to identify unsafe driving behaviours such as drowsiness, distraction, and aggressive driving, which can lead to accidents. By focusing on key parameters like eye blink rate and facial expressions, the system provides immediate feedback through a three-tier alert system: visual, auditory, and vibration alerts. This approach not only helps to warn the driver but also allows for early intervention to reduce the risk of accidents,” explained Ramakrishnan.

She also highlighted the role of cloud-based data storage, enabling continuous monitoring of driver behaviour and sharing this data with traffic management authorities for improved safety measures. The system offers real-time updates that help authorities track unsafe driving patterns and take corrective actions. Broadly, her session provided insights into how AI and deep learning can enhance road safety, contributing to safer driving environments and reducing traffic-related incidents.

During the confluence, Ganesh Shankar, Founder of Fluxgen, presented his insights on how the future of mobility, driven by SDVs (Software Defined Vehicles), EVs, and connected vehicles, demands a sustainable and efficient manufacturing ecosystem. He highlighted why sustainability is no longer just a reporting topic but a core operational competency for mobility companies. 

Shankar discussed how we cannot build intelligent vehicles in factories where critical resources, especially water, are still managed manually. “With growing water stress becoming a key supply chain risk for OEMs, he shared how deeptech solutions are helping mobility and automotive companies become water-positive, contributing to a greener future for India’s mobility sector. 

Digitising water infrastructure using sensors and AI has drastically improved water efficiency in industries. The role of AI and Gen AI has optimised water usage and ensured compliance with regulatory bodies, and water balance charts and prescriptive alerts help manage water resources more effectively,” remarked Shankar.

He explained that there was a shortage of water resource professionals and how Gen AI can augment this gap, enabling industries to get real-time insights into their water infrastructure and make data-driven decisions.