GM with IIT-K to expand R&D

General Motors Corp. and the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT KGP) recently announced plans to carry out joint research in the areas of Electronics, Controls and Software (ECS). The partners also announced that a new educational curriculum would be jointly developed leading to a post-graduate degree in these fields.

The lab will be co-managed by GM's India Science Lab (ISL) in Bangalore and IIT KGP's Sponsored Research & Industrial Consultancy Unit. Research done at the new Collaborative Research Lab (CRL) will be shared within GM's global research and development network.

"This partnership brings together an impressive source of expertise in the growing area of electronics, controls and software," said Dr. Alan Taub, executive director GM Research and Development, in Warren, Michigan. "Several IIT graduates have already moved on to careers at GM. This kind of program is ideal for developing future leaders for our industry."

GM will commit more than US$1 million (INR 5 crores) for research to be done over the next five years within the new Collaborative Research Lab.

"We are thankful for GM's continued support of IIT KGP," said Prof. Damodar Acharya, director of IIT. "By investing in technological innovation and advanced education, bright minds and a diverse community, GM is demonstrating leadership in areas of great importance to our society. Our faculty and students are looking forward to continuing to work with GM to develop high-performance, safe and reliable ECS technology. We value the GM relationship and eagerly accept the challenge."