January 2025 | 586 words | 2-minute read
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In October last year, JLR announced the launch of its latest Open Innovation Hub in India to identify and work closely with start-ups to develop the next generation of products and services that will help define JLR’s future client experiences. The Bengaluru hub is the fifth JLR has opened since it introduced its Open Innovation Programme in April 2022; the other hubs are located in the US, UK, Israel and Brazil.
The Hub, launched in partnership with the corporate innovation platform and global investor, Plug and Play, will connect startups with JLR’s global engineering workforce to find new technological, engineering and sustainability solutions for the company. It will also bring together industry, government, academia, and other parties, in order to develop industry leading solutions for JLR.
“Through global collaboration, JLR’s Open Innovation Programme is connecting us to the next generation of talent and technologies, and the addition of a Hub in India will support JLR’s engineering teams to innovate quickly to support vehicle design, features and improve customer experiences,” said Igor Murakami, JLR’s Innovation Director.
Building on the success of the company’s existing innovation hubs in the UK, US, Israel, and Brazil, the India Hub will focus on deep tech including artificial intelligence, big data and analytics, internet of things, optimising batteries for electric powertrains, identifying optimal locations for charging infrastructure, and delivering more advanced ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) and sensors and devices.
“Quality and innovation are core elements of our business,” said Lalitha Indrakanti, JLR Technology & Business Services India (TBSI) CEO. “Through the Innovation Hub we are looking to tap into India’s deep technology ecosystem to discover new possibilities with a strong focus on engineering and sustainability. The hub will act as a dedicated space to attract disruptors to bring meaningful and scalable solutions to market. We aim to be the leading Innovation Hub for mobility and sustainability and be the top collaborator of choice for startups.”
Sobhan Khani, Partner, Plug and Play, added, “Plug and Play's partnership with JLR will continue to enhance our global mobility ecosystem. This initiative empowers innovators to develop transformative technologies that redefine the future of mobility and align with JLR's commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.”
As a founding partner of Plug and Play UK, Jaguar Land Rover is building an ecosystem of start‑ups and scale‑ups that will create jobs and opportunities for the digital economy. The platform will also provide access to a global ecosystem of potential partners, enabling the organisation to test new technologies and business models. Activities will be located close to Jaguar Land Rover’s headquarters in the West Midlands, the heart of the UK’s automotive industry.
The programme has engaged with over 2,500 start‑ups globally, resulting in 33 formal collaborations so far. Successes include:
- Collaboration with UK start‑up Allye to develop a way to reuse JLR PHEV and BEV batteries as second‑life energy storage systems.
- Brazil startup Energy Source — who JLR have also invested in via their venture capital arm, InMotion Ventures — which launched the first solar‑powered electric vehicle charging station, and vehicle rental specialist, Movida, which offers mobility leasing options on over 250 vehicles from JLR brands.
India’s rapidly growing startup sector and JLR’s already established presence and close links to the Tata group make the country the ideal location for the newest Innovation Hub.
