Goa: Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS Pilani) and Daimler Truck Innovation Center India (DTICI) have entered into a strategic partnership to establish the Software, Product, AI Research & Knowledge (SPARK) Lab at the BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus.

The collaboration aims to strengthen the connection between academia and industry while advancing research and innovation in software, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies for the commercial vehicle sector.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on August 10, 2026, at the BITS Pilani Goa campus by Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani; Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus; and Radhakrishnan Kodakkal, Managing Director and CEO, DTICI.

The SPARK Lab is expected to serve as a platform for collaborative research, innovation and talent development, enabling BITS Pilani students and faculty to work closely with industry experts on real-world challenges facing the future of mobility.

Speaking about the partnership, Radhakrishnan Kodakkal, MD & CEO, DTICI, said the future of commercial vehicles would be shaped not only by engineering excellence but also by software and artificial intelligence. He said the collaboration would provide a platform for academia and industry to accelerate innovation and develop the next generation of intelligent, connected and sustainable commercial vehicles.

Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said meaningful industry partnerships are essential for translating academic research into real-world applications. He said the SPARK Lab would serve as a catalyst for innovation, interdisciplinary research and technology development while providing students and researchers with opportunities to work on solutions for the future of mobility.

Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus, said the partnership would create unique opportunities for faculty and students to collaborate with industry experts directly on campus. He added that such collaborations would help transform innovative ideas into practical solutions.

By bringing together BITS Pilani’s academic and research capabilities with DTICI’s industry expertise, the partnership aims to accelerate technological innovation and contribute to the development of advanced solutions that could shape the future of commercial vehicles.