Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) have entered into a five-year Master Research Agreement (MRA) to collaborate on research programs aimed at advancing technologies that will shape the future of mobility and engineering systems.
The agreement establishes a structured framework for joint research between industry engineers and academic researchers, creating opportunities for knowledge development, technology innovation, and intellectual property creation. Through the collaboration, both organizations aim to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world engineering challenges.
The partnership will focus on a number of emerging technology domains, including quantum technologies, advanced materials, neuromorphic engineering, and electric mobility systems. These research areas combine fundamental scientific exploration with applied engineering work and have the potential to influence the next generation of mobility solutions.
By aligning research priorities with industry needs, the initiative will enable researchers and engineers to work together on projects that address real-world technological challenges while advancing scientific understanding in critical areas. The collaboration is expected to facilitate deeper academic-industry engagement, providing a platform for long-term innovation in mobility technologies.
Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India, said the collaboration reflects a broader vision of stronger partnerships between industry and academia. He noted that the automotive industry is undergoing a period of rapid technological change, and close cooperation with research institutions will help accelerate breakthroughs in engineering and mobility solutions.
Professor Preeti Ranjan Panda, Dean of Corporate Relations at IIT Delhi, said the partnership supports the institute’s objective of strengthening knowledge exchange with industry. He added that collaborative research programs can generate impactful innovations while also contributing to the development of sustainable, accessible, and technologically advanced mobility solutions.
The first phase of the collaboration will begin with a research project focused on quantum sensors and battery systems. The project will be led by Professor Nirat Ray from IIT Delhi’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, with Professor Saurabh Saxena from the Centre for Applied Research and Technology contributing to the research leadership.
The initiative will bring together interdisciplinary researchers from IIT Delhi and engineering teams from MBRDI to work on prototype development, testing, and validation. The objective is to develop scalable technology solutions that can be applied in real-world mobility systems.
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India, established in 1996, is the largest research and development center for the Mercedes-Benz Group outside Germany. With offices in Bengaluru and Pune and a workforce of more than 8,500 professionals, the center contributes to global innovation in areas such as connected, autonomous, and electric mobility. IIT Delhi, founded in 1961, is one of India’s premier institutions for science, engineering, and technology research and has produced more than 65,000 graduates, including over 7,000 doctoral scholars who have contributed to industry, academia, and public service.
