Amrita Automotive Research & Technology Center (AARTC), a joint venture between Amrita University and Automotive Test Systems was inaugurated on 28 Jan 2015.The facility was inaugurated by Dr. K. Tamilmani, Distinguished Scientist & Director General( Aero), DRDO. Ms. Rashmi Urdhwarshe, Director, ARAI Pune was the guest of Honour for the event.
This Rs.15 crore, investment one-of-its-kind, will assist the automotive industry in areas like vehicle evaluation, vehicle cooling and HVAC Studies, Road Load Data Acquisition, Emission, Simulation – Structural and CFD, Multibody dynamics etc. M. Tech. and PhD students can also use this facility for research.
Besides building a close rapport with the automotive industry, AARTC will facilitate the doctoral and postgraduate students of the university to gain hands- on experience by giving them an opportunity to participate in live research projects aimed at developing technologies for the government and industry.
Prof. Parameswaran, Director, Corporate & Industry Relations states that “The Amrita Automotive Research and Technology Center (AARTC) is a clear manifestation of the university’s focus on research and innovation that would enhance the quality of teaching and learning experience of faculty, researchers and students. The Center would also enable the automotive industry to get valuable data on their products and facilitate decision-making on performance and target improvements. On the whole, this is an excellent initiative from the Department of Mechanical Engineering.”
In its first phase, a 4000 sq. m building has been completed with complete infrastructure for Vehicle Evaluation, Engine Testing and Development and basic NVH facilities. The second phase that is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year will cover a Hemi-Anechoic room, Reverberation rooms, Listening Studio and complete NVH facilities.
Dr. Venkat Rangan, Vice Chancellor, Amrita University shared, “Automotive Systems is of immense importance to people of all walks of life in all parts of the world. Our Amrita Center aims to impart state of the art learning and research to aspiring students, transforming them to brilliant engineers for industry and scientists for academia. Our Chancellor and world renowned humanitarian leader, Amma, gives particular importance to transportation solutions that preserve the purity and safety of our living planet for future generations. It is our wish that the Center comes up with several breakthrough innovations in this regard”.
Dr. Thirumalini, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Prof. S. Raju, Advisor, AARTC envisage that this facility will be in the forefront to nurture creativity and talent and provide the right ambience for disruptive technologies to evolve.
