IIT Delhi, Mercedes-Benz R&D India join hands for quantum, EV research

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) on March 5, 2026, entered into a five-year Master Research Agreement (MRA) to collaborate on joint research programmes focused on next-generation mobility and engineering systems.

The collaboration will focus on emerging technology areas including quantum technologies, future materials, neuromorphic engineering and electric mobility, where academic research and applied engineering intersect, the companies said in a statement. The initiative aims to enable deeper knowledge development and support intellectual property creation through industry–academia collaboration.

According to the two organisations, the partnership is designed to strengthen links between research institutions and industry by combining academic expertise with real-world engineering requirements, particularly in areas shaping the future of mobility.

Manu Saale, Managing Director and CEO of MBRDI, said the collaboration comes at a milestone moment for both organisations. “This year marks 140 years since the invention of the automobile, a chapter that reflects the beginning of Mercedes-Benz’s journey in shaping mobility. MBRDI is also celebrating a milestone as we mark 30 years of engineering excellence in India. We envision a future where academia and industry are systemically partnering to realise real-world challenges and provide meaningful breakthroughs,” he said.

Saale added that the collaboration with IIT Delhi will help accelerate innovation and support the development of solutions for future mobility systems.

IIT Delhi said the partnership aligns with its focus on strengthening industry collaboration to translate academic research into real-world applications.

“We are pleased to partner with MBRDI in this collaboration, which builds upon IIT Delhi's commitment to enable knowledge exchange and co-creation with industry partners,” said Prof. Preeti Ranjan Panda, Dean of Corporate Relations at IIT Delhi. “Through this initiative, the Institute seeks to advance high-quality research and generate impactful innovations that enable sustainable, affordable and future-ready mobility.”

As part of the initial phase, the collaboration will launch a research project focusing on quantum sensors and battery systems. The initiative will be led by Prof. Nirat Ray from IIT Delhi’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, along with Prof. Saurabh Saxena from the Centre for Applied Research and Technology.

The project will bring together interdisciplinary researchers from IIT Delhi and engineering teams at MBRDI to work on joint research, prototype development and real-world validation of emerging technologies.

MBRDI, established in 1996, is the largest research and development centre for Mercedes-Benz Group AG outside Germany. The organisation currently employs more than 8,500 professionals across Bengaluru and Pune, working on areas including connected, autonomous and electric mobility technologies.