SIAT 2026 will focus on areas such as electric mobility, safety, emissions, noise, fuel cells, ADAS, autonomous vehicles, life‑cycle assessment, cyber security and software‑defined vehicles.
06 Jan 2026 | 1124 Views | By Shahkar Abidi
The Indian and global automotive community will converge at Pune later this month for SIAT 2026, the 19th edition of the ‘Symposium on International Automotive Technology’, being organised by The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in association with SAE International and SAE India from 28th to 30th January 2026 ...
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The Indian and global automotive community will converge at Pune later this month for SIAT 2026, the 19th edition of the ‘Symposium on International Automotive Technology’, being organised by The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in association with SAE International and SAE India from 28th to 30th January 2026 at the Pune International Exhibition & Convention Center (PIECC), Moshi.
The event comes at a time when the industry is under pressure to deliver cleaner, safer and more connected mobility, and positions India as an active contributor to next‑generation vehicle and component technologies.
SIAT 2026 coincides with ARAI’s Diamond Jubilee Year, marking 60 years of the organisation’s role in shaping India’s mobility ecosystem. A dedicated ARAI@60 pavilion at the venue will trace six decades of research, validation and standard‑setting that have supported the growth of OEMs and suppliers in the country.
Dr. Reji Mathai, Chairman, SIAT 2026 Advisory Committee and Director, ARAI, notes that “with the overwhelming response, SIAT 2026 will set up another milestone in terms of the size and participation.” His message underlines how the symposium has evolved from a technical meet into a strategic platform where policy, technology and business interests converge for the wider automotive sector.
Centred on the theme “Innovative Pathways for Safe and Sustainable Mobility”, SIAT 2026 will focus on areas such as electric mobility, safety, emissions, noise, fuel cells, ADAS, autonomous vehicles, life‑cycle assessment, cyber security and software‑defined vehicles. Over three days, plenary sessions and panel discussions with eminent industry leaders will explore how these domains are reshaping vehicle architectures, regulations and investment priorities across global and Indian markets.
The event convenes OEMs, Tier-1s, startups, researchers, and technology leaders across domains including ADAS, Autonomous Vehicles, Software-Defined Vehicles, Cybersecurity, AI, Hydrogen & Fuel Cells, and Digital Twin.
Technical sessions spread across eight conference halls will feature more than 285 speakers presenting keynote and technical papers, selected from around 600 high‑quality SAE papers associated with the event. This scale reflects the surge in R&D activity as manufacturers, suppliers and start‑ups race to meet tighter safety and emission norms while building competitive products for export.
Special zones will amplify the technology focus. The Technology Pavilion will put the spotlight on upcoming automotive technologies such as renewable fuel ecosystems, alternative motor and battery technologies with life‑cycle analysis, drive‑by‑wire, connected and software‑defined vehicles, functional safety, cybersecurity, AI applications and drone demonstrations. The Sponsors Pavilion will bring together advanced software, new powertrain and drivetrain systems, NVH solutions and next‑generation vehicle features from leading OEMs and global technology brands.
SIAT 2026 also builds a bridge to academia and young innovators through a Student Poster Presentation Competition open to undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD scholars. From 47 innovative poster submissions on safe, smart and sustainable mobility, 12 finalists will present their ideas during the event to a panel of industry experts, with the best entries earning awards and visibility across the fraternity.
A Technology Theatre within the expo will give exhibitors a dedicated stage for live demos, presentations and interactive discussions, including a panel titled “Driving the Future – ADAS, Software‑Defined Vehicles and Cyber Security: Challenges and Opportunities.” By opening such platforms to both established players and emerging firms, SIAT 2026 aims to encourage collaboration across the value chain, from chip and software providers to test agencies and vehicle manufacturers.