In a significant advancement for the automotive artificial intelligence sector in India, iMerit has inaugurated its Automotive AI Center of Excellence in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The opening of this centre marks the company's twelfth location and reflects the growing market potential in automotive AI, which is projected to reach a market size of $7.5 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.5%. This forecast was highlighted in a report by Nasscom, underscoring the transformative potential of AI in the automotive industry.
The inauguration of the AI centre was officiated by Dr. Palanivel Thiagarajan, Tamil Nadu's Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services. In his speech at the event, Dr. Thiagarajan expressed the importance of this milestone. He remarked, “The establishment of an office within six months—from initial discussions to formal inauguration—constitutes an exceptional accomplishment,” noting the impact of AI, computer vision, and data augmentation on transforming industries globally. He further emphasized that companies in such sectors are not only enhancing technological innovation but are also contributing to inclusive growth by generating employment and enabling individuals from underserved communities to acquire advanced skills.
iMerit has already made strides in Coimbatore, hiring over 220 experts in multisensor fusion technology, with plans to double this workforce in the upcoming fiscal year. The company's commitment to a diverse workforce is evident, as it maintains a 90% employee retention rate and has consistently upheld a gender ratio of 50% women employees. Radha Ramaswami Basu, the CEO and founder of iMerit, highlighted that automotive AI is the largest vertical for the company, contributing to 60% of its revenue from sectors such as autonomous mobility, trucking, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
Additionally, iMerit’s Ango Hub, a software solution aimed at providing high-quality data for AI applications, plays a pivotal role in the company’s strategy. With over 5,000 experts in fields such as computer vision and generative AI, iMerit aims to leverage its expertise to enhance the Indian automotive sector’s AI capabilities. Radha Ramaswami Basu stated, “What excites us is the combination of technology strength and high-quality education of the talent pool here,” indicating the company’s optimism regarding the future growth of its operations in India.
Anupam Biswas, iMerit's Chief Delivery Officer, noted the critical importance of data quality in AI technologies, particularly for innovations in autonomous vehicles. He mentioned that the company has already begun projects with its newly trained experts, citing Coimbatore as a locale that offers a promising mix of experienced professionals and fresh talent. He added, “This has been our fastest ramp-up in a new location,” demonstrating the strategic importance of Coimbatore for iMerit’s expansion plans.
As automotive AI is expected to evolve rapidly, iMerit aims to establish a robust AI data infrastructure in India, taking advantage of its global expertise. The company’s focus on ethical AI practices further reinforces its commitment to responsible development within the technology sector. With the automotive industry on the brink of a major technological shift, stakeholders will be monitoring the developments at iMerit's new centre and the subsequent impacts on the broader market landscape in the coming years.
Source: Noah Wire Services