Amrita University opens research and tech centre in Coimbatore

The Coimbatore-based Amrita University, one of the premier institutions of higher learning in India, has opened the Amrita Automotive Research & Technology Centre (AARTC), a joint venture between Amrita University and Automotive Test Systems.

The Rs 15 crore facility set up in the university headquarters at Coimbatore was inaugurated by Dr K Tamilmani, director general, Aeronautical Systems, DRDO and the guest of honour  Rashmi Urdhwarshe, director, ARAI Pune, on January 28.

The centre will assist the automotive industry in areas like vehicle evaluation, vehicle cooling and HVAC studies, road load data acquisition, emission, simulation – structural and CFD and multibody dynamics. AARTC along with graduates will also support the M Tech and PhD Students to use this facility for applied research and other sustainable technology researches.

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 through participation in research projects aimed at developing technologies for the government and industry as well.

Prof Parameswaran, director – Corporate & Industry Relations, said: “The Amrita Automotive Research and Technology Centre (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 Centre 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, it is an excellent initiative from the Department of Mechanical Engineering”

In its first phase, a 4,000 square metre 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 complete by the year end will cover a hemi-anechoic room, reverberation rooms, listening studio and complete NVH facilities.

Speaking at the facility inauguration, Rashmi Urdhwarshe said the creation of the right research environment in a university is a great step and the facility has great potential to work in the areas of environment, road safety and energy efficiency. She also agreed to extend full support from ARAI.

Dr Venkat Rangan, vice-chancellor, said: “Automotive systems are of immense importance to people of all walks of life in all parts of the world. The 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.