Brief

KPIT Cummins targets the automotive segment

KPIT is eyeing the domestic and international market for embedded automotive electronics

We offer end-to-end product lifecycle engineering services with specialisation in engine controls, communication protocols and remote monitoring technologies to clients in Japan, Germany and in the US Kishore Patil Chief Executive Officer KPIT Cummins

KPIT Cummins, a Pune-based software solutions provider, plans to tap the emerging market for embedded technologies in the automotive space. This foray is part of the company's strategy to grow beyond its traditional verticals of manufacturing, and banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sectors which account for more than 95 percent of its revenues.

The global automotive electronics market was valued at $26.9 billion in 2002. It is expected to reach $35.4 billion by 2007, according to a recent report published by Reed Electronics Research.

Even though the market for automotive electronics is huge, there are not many Indian players that work on embedded applications for the automotive segment. KPIT's domain knowledge in the embedded automotive space comes from Cummins, a company it merged with in 1999. Embedded systems are used in almost every part of an automobile. With government regulations (on airbag suspensions) being introduced to improve passenger safety, automotive manufacturers are relying upon embedded software to meet their requirements.

"The migration of electronics into the volume-driven segments of the market will be a key driver for automotive electronic systems. The coming years will also see the emergence of new products and applications, such as advanced lighting, night-vision and car-interior comfort systems," says Anup Sable, head, Embedded Systems, KPIT Cummins. The domestic market has potential and global majors such as General Motors, Robert Bosch, Visteon Corporation and Delphi Systems are here to test the waters. KPIT Cummins wants to play in lucrative areas such as engine management, engine control modules, power consumption, in-vehicle infotainment, navigation (GPS) and telematics.

"We offer end-to-end product lifecycle engineering services with specialisation in engine controls, communication protocols and remote monitoring technologies to clients in Japan, Germany and in the US. We have registered a 20 percent revenue growth in this segment," says Kishore Patil, CEO, KPIT Cummins. The company is also working with academic institutions such as the IIIT and IIT to form informal groups and evolve standards for automotive electronics to address the Indian market.

Sushma Naik