Innovation Categories
Tech Development
For innovations under TRL4, we will provide them product development support
Manufacturing Partnership
For TRL4 and above innovations, we will connect them to strategic manufacturing partners
TRL - Technology Readiness Level
Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) are a measurement system used to assess the maturity level of a particular technology. Each technology project is evaluated against the parameters for each technology level and assigned a TRL rating based on the progress. There are nine technology readiness levels. TRL 1 is the lowest, and TRL 9 is the highest.
A TRL number is obtained once the description in the diagram has been achieved. For example, successfully achieving TRL 4 (lab environment) does not move the technology to TRL 5. TRL 5 is achieved once component/ breadboard validation is in a relevant environment. The technology remains TRL 4 until the relevant environmental validation is complete.
Tech Development
This challenge is for startups and academic/ research institutes that do not have a ready PoC (who are under TRL4). iCreate will curate problem statements vetted by industry experts, evaluate the entries, and provide necessary support for product development, by way of rapid prototyping and testing facilities, technology mentoring, and funding of up to Rs 5 lakh.
PRIZES
(for each 3 categories):
1st - Rs 10 lakh
2nd - Rs 7.5 lakh
3rd - Rs 5 lakh
Five consolation prizes - Rs 3 lakh
Manufacturing Partnership
This challenge will identify suitable technologies and products that solve a real industry need, that are mature enough, and whose technology been demonstrated in a controlled environment. iCreate will match such innovators with manufacturers who seek to fast-track innovation, or get a competitive edge in the market
REWARD FOR 3 WINNERS:
Strategic manufacturing partnerships with EV industry players, so that their innovations get the opportunity and support to be commercialised at scale
Innovation Themes
Vehicle Traction
Vehicle Energy Storage
Vehicle Infrastructure
About Vehicle Traction Theme
This theme relates to various technological products or solutions relating to enhancement of vehicle traction drives including motor and motor controller. The technology has to be novel with a significant improvement over the existing market ready technologies. These may include but are not limited to:
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Usage of Generic chips reducing supply chain problems
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Modular power electronics and embedded systems to enable variable power delivery through the same embedded hardware
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Enhancement of robustness/reliability through various interventions
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Alternate magnets - Enhancing commonly available magnet tech
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Motor stamping - Innovation in electrical steel stampings
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FPGA based EV subcomponents (replacing generic processors/controllers/AFEs)
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E Vehicle Control Units - To enhance overall electric vehicle efficiency
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Detailed simulations (thermal, electrical, electromagnetic, mechanical stress, etc) of various subcomponents - motor, controller, BMS, chassis, frame, etc
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Other alternate technologies to reduce costs and supply chain problems
About Vehicle Energy Storage Theme
This theme relates to various technological products or solutions relating to prevention of battery fires. Any type of electronic, electrical, chemical, etc type of interventions which can be retrofitted or have to be embedded in the battery itself. These may include but are not limited to:
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Rating (SOH/Quality) of cells - Predicting and monitoring the state of health (SOH) or quality of cells
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Detection/Prevention of dendrites (Software based AI/ML)- Early detection/prediction of dendrite formation by ML
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Battery Management System (BMS) - Novel architectures to reduce costs
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Battery Management System (BMS) - Alternate technologies to AFE
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Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS) - Super capacitor + Battery
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Cooling solutions - Innovative active/passive cooling solutions of battery pack
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HV Battery Disconnect & Fire-off System - STMicroelectronics
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Other alternate technologies to reduce costs and supply chain problems
About Vehicle Infrastructure Theme
This theme relates to various technological products or solutions relating to enhancement of existing overall vehicle infrastructure which includes safety, communication and charging infrastructure. These may include but are not limited to:
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AC or DC chargers with some Innovative Component
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Hardware or BMS enablement for Swapping solutions (hot + cool)
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Autonomous or semi autonomous vehicles
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Driver assistive technology
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Accident detection and prevention
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Vehicle to Vehicle or Vehicle to cloud communication
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Other alternate technologies to reduce costs and supply chain problems