Chennai: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Hero MotoCorp Ltd (HMCL), the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer, on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on research, education and upskilling in emerging areas of mobility.

The agreement will focus on multi-energy propulsion, new battery materials, electric mobility and the use of artificial intelligence in product development, officials said.

The MoU was signed in the presence of IIT Madras Director Prof V Kamakoti and senior executives from Hero MotoCorp, including Executive Director, Acting CEO and CTO Vikram Kasbekar.

Prof Kamakoti said industry-academia partnerships were critical for the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.” “Scholarships, industry exposure and specialised courses under this agreement will play a pivotal role in advancing mobility R&D in India,” he noted.

Kasbekar described the tie-up as essential for building a self-reliant India. “Together, we will focus on future technologies like multi-energy propulsion, new battery materials and EVs, while using AI and generative AI to improve product development,” he said.

As part of the collaboration, Hero MotoCorp will explore doctoral scholarships at IIT Madras, provide industry projects for students, and support customised MTech and PhD programmes for its employees. The institute will also offer upskilling and short-term courses in EV development, battery technology, controllers and vehicle dynamics.

The two sides will also explore joint research projects, technology transfer and CSR-linked initiatives.