Mercedes-Benz recently hosted its annual Innovation Collective event in Bengaluru and Pune, India, transforming its offices into vibrant centers for exploring cutting-edge technologies and fostering innovative thinking within its research and development (R&D) ecosystem. The three-day event, Innovation Collective 2025, served as a powerful platform to showcase Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to R&D and its vision for the future of mobility, bringing together technology leaders, experts, and innovators.
The event commenced with Dr. Aloknath De’s keynote, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to innovation in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. This set the stage for a series of insightful discussions and presentations focused on key areas shaping the future of Mercedes-Benz R&D. A panel discussion, expertly moderated by Balaji Sethuraman, delved into the transformative potential of quantum computing, neuromorphic systems, and breakthroughs in Generative AI. Esteemed panelists including Dr. Anil Prabhakar, Dr. Chetan Singh Thakur, Arjun Jain, and Parthiv Shah explored these complex topics, highlighting their relevance to automotive innovation and Mercedes-Benz’s strategic R&D directions.
Raghuraman Ramamoorthy guided a leadership team discussion with Prasanna Gonuguntla, Umang Dharmik, and Praveen Bhatt, focusing on how challenges, collaborative efforts, and transformative technologies are the cornerstones of thriving innovation within Mercedes-Benz R&D. This session underscored the company’s internal approach to nurturing a culture of innovation and its investment in future-oriented research.
Further enriching the event, Dr. Hari Prasad Konka addressed the critical journey from technological inception to product realization, emphasizing the necessity of aligning technological readiness with manufacturing and commercial viability. Dr. Karim Nili further explored the strategic role of Intellectual Property (IP) in empowering innovators, providing them with essential tools and data for informed decision-making within Mercedes-Benz’s R&D framework.
The intersection of luxury automotive engineering with sustainability and customer experience was examined by Santosh Iyer, Vyankatesh Kulkarni, and Brendon Sissing. Their discussion highlighted how Mercedes-Benz R&D is not only focused on technological advancement but also on delivering unparalleled customer experiences while upholding sustainable practices.
Ecosystem collaboration and open innovation were central themes, brought to the forefront by the Startup Autobahn India panel. Moderated by Dr. Anshuman Awasthi, panelists Naganand Doraswamy, Shweta Pandey, and Shashikant Adsul emphasized the importance of partnerships in driving automotive innovation. Participating startups like QpiAI, Algoworks, Deevia Software, CY4, and Fabrik showcased their latest technological advancements, demonstrating the dynamic interplay between Mercedes-Benz R&D and the external innovation ecosystem.
Special insights and inspiration were provided by Manu Saale, Eileen Böhme, Marc Linkenbach, Dr. Torsten Eder, and Dr. Michael Hafner, further emphasizing Mercedes-Benz’s global R&D network and vision. The Innovation Collective 2025 also featured interactive tech demonstrations, recognition awards celebrating individual contributions to innovation, and the mbrdiQ automotive innovation quiz, fostering engagement and knowledge sharing among participants.
The event concluded on a high note, encouraging attendees to carry forward the spirit of innovation into their daily work. Innovation Collective 2025 reaffirmed Mercedes-Benz’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of automotive R&D and its commitment to shaping the future of mobility through continuous innovation and strategic collaborations.
