In a major boost to India’s mobility sector, C3iHub and Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive research and innovation in automotive cybersecurity.
C3iHub–IIT Kanpur–ARAI partnership brings together a top academic and research institution, a government-backed cybersecurity hub and India’s leading automotive R&D body to address one of the biggest challenges in the era of connected and autonomous vehicles: cyber resilient mobility systems.
C3iHub–IIT Kanpur–ARAI: A Timely Alliance
The C3iHub–IIT Kanpur–ARAI MoU signed by Dr. Reji Mathai (ARAI), Prof. Tarun Gupta (IIT Kanpur), Dr. Tanima Hajra (C3iHub) with Prof. Manindra Agrawal (IIT Kanpur) present, recognises that cars are no longer just mechanical machines but software driven systems vulnerable to attacks.
As vehicles become more connected – sensors, IoT, autonomous decision making systems, cloud based services – they also open up attack surfaces. From remote hijacking of vehicles to disruption of mobility infrastructure, the threats are no longer theoretical but real.
Speaking at the event Prof. Agrawal said: “With cars becoming more software driven, cybersecurity has become a critical pillar for safety and reliability. This collaboration with ARAI will enable us to develop solutions and build capacity in automotive security research.”
What This Means
C3iHub-ARAI-IIT Kanpur partnership will focus on:
- Joint R&D in Automotive Cybersecurity – Developing technologies to detect, prevent and mitigate cyber attacks on connected vehicles.
- Innovation and Technology Translation – From lab research to deployable tools and frameworks for industry adoption.
- Capacity Building – Training engineers, researchers and policymakers in the evolving landscape of automotive security.
- Industry Collaboration – Providing secure and validated frameworks to automotive manufacturers for compliance with national and international standards.
Dr. Mathai of ARAI said: “ARAI has always been at the forefront of advancing technologies in mobility and safety. Partnering with IIT Kanpur and C3iHub will enable us to combine our expertise and contribute towards developing secure, sustainable and future ready automotive solutions.”
About the Institutions
- ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India), established in 1966 and based in Pune, is a key player in R&D, testing, certification and compliance in the automotive sector. It is recognized by the Government of India as the benchmark authority for automotive technologies and regulations.
- C3iHub (Cybersecurity Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Kanpur), recently upgraded to a Technology Translation Research Park (TTRP), is part of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems. It focuses on cybersecurity solutions across sectors, detecting vulnerabilities, building security tools and supporting start-ups in the cybersecurity ecosystem.
- IIT Kanpur, an Institute of National Importance established in 1959, has a legacy of excellence in science, engineering and research. With over 9,500 students and 590+ faculty, the institute has been a hotbed of innovation in India’s technological landscape.
Industry & Market Implications
For the automotive industry, this is a big step forward. With India pushing for electrification, connected mobility and smart infrastructure, cybersecurity compliance is no longer optional – it’s a regulatory and consumer trust imperative.
Global automakers are already grappling with EU and US cybersecurity regulations and India is set to follow suit. Partnerships like C3iHub–ARAI will position the country to not only meet but set benchmarks in automotive cybersecurity.
For investors and industry watchers, this means the convergence of automotive technology and cybersecurity is getting more pronounced. Companies in mobility, IoT and security space could see more opportunities as collaborations like this pave the way for indigenous standards, tools and IP creation.
Looking Ahead
This is more than an academic-industry handshake; it’s a forward looking initiative to future proof India’s mobility sector. As connected and autonomous vehicles move closer to mainstream adoption, ensuring their resilience against cyber threats will be as critical as crash tests and emission norms were.
The C3iHub–IIT Kanpur–ARAI collaboration is not just about securing vehicles but securing the future of mobility itself.