Joint Convergence India and Smart Cities India Expo under at Pragati Maidan

New Delhi is currently witnessing a large-scale industry event after a very long time. This time around, it is the 28th Convergence India and sixth edition of the Smart Cities India Expo being jointly held at this mega venue at the Pragati Maidan that has been under renovation for the last couple of years. 

The combined exhibition, which is being organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) & Exhibitions India Group, was inaugurated yesterday by Satyendra Jain, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Industries, Homes, Public Works Department, Power, Urban Development and Transport, Government of NCT of Delhi. 

While the focus of the Smart Cities India Expo lies in clean and green mobility, digital revolution and smarter living, the Convergence India Expo is more tilted towards the IT and electronics industry. The former has exhibits showcasing solutions for green transportation such as EVs from companies such as Hyundai Motor India. There are digital initiatives as well such as smart parking sensors that solve the crucial problem in big cities.

One of the exhibitors, Piaggio Vehicles, is showcasing its electric three-wheeler Ape’ Electrik at the Smart Cities India Expo. This Electrik range includes Ape’ E-City, the first three-wheeler to have smart swappable batteries, the FX range of fixed battery electric three-wheelers which includes the passenger-carrying Ape’ E-City FX and the Ape’ E-Xtra FX cargo carrier.

According to Saju Nair, EVP and Head of Commercial Vehicle Business, Piaggio India, said, “With greater government focus and state EV policies being formulated, mass adoption of EVs will happen very soon. Following a detailed study of industry trends, consumer aspirations and requirements, we recently added the FX range of vehicles in Piaggio’s EV portfolio. The FX range will cater to the needs of our customers, protect the environment and truly revolutionize the industry.”

Converging together
The Smart Cities Expo is at a seamless confluence with the 28^th Convergence India Expo, which is thriving on exhibits from a wide array of small and big players, showcasing their technologies in the IT and electronics sphere. Companies from India galore, there is also a strong representation from international exhibitors from countries such as Germany, China, Belgium, UAE and the US. One look at the reasonably spaced-out pavilions and it is amply clear that the contingent from China outnumbers everyone else.

The Convergence India Expo houses IT and electronics giants of the likes of LG, Sony, BenQ, and AT&T, showcasing their business solutions for the industry, especially pertaining to 5G and network communications. The Taiwan pavilion that has been christened ‘Taiwan Excellence’ also brings about technologies in the semiconductor and electronics space, from players small and large.

For Japan-based Anritsu, the company that provides signal emulators that act as nodes for determining quality of 3G, 4G and now 5G network, the business in the automotive domain is picking up rapidly.

With connectivity and embedded SIM cards becoming the new mainstay in cars as well as premium two-wheelers getting introduced in the Indian market, Anritsu is already supplying its technologies to OEMs like Hero MotoCorp, M&M, Maruti Suzuki India, and Tier I suppliers such as the UNO Minda Group and Tata Elxsi.

The Smart Cities India 2021 and Convergence India Expo are being held over three days between March 24 and 26. The young look of the Pragati Maidan Convention Centre as well as the safe execution of such a large-scale event in the ongoing scenario brings a refreshing joy to the automotive, electronics and the events industry.

Photography: Mayank Dhingra