Samsung Electronics-owned HARMAN is strengthening Bengaluru’s position as a global centre for connected automotive technology through a new collaboration with PES University aimed at developing software solutions for the next generation of vehicles. The initiative brings together more than 25 students and eight faculty members to work alongside HARMAN engineers on advanced automotive software, reinforcing the company’s strategy of fostering innovation through academia-industry partnerships.
The Stamford-headquartered company, which operates one of its largest Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Bengaluru, is also exploring similar collaborations with several other universities and engineering institutions across the city. The move reflects the growing importance of academic partnerships in developing cutting-edge technologies for software-defined and connected vehicles.
Bengaluru at the Core of HARMAN’s Global Engineering Network
Speaking about the company’s expanding innovation ecosystem, Krishna Kumar, Senior Vice President, Managing Director and Automotive Head of HARMAN India, said Bengaluru has evolved beyond its traditional role as a software powerhouse and is now playing a critical role in shaping the future of global mobility.
According to Kumar, the Bengaluru GCC serves as a central engineering hub that connects global research and development with manufacturing and real-world automotive deployments. The centre has become instrumental in creating technologies that are integrated into vehicles sold across major international markets, including North America, Europe and Asia.
Nearly 80 percent of HARMAN’s 4,000 automotive engineers in India are based in Bengaluru. These engineering teams work on advanced software platforms, connected vehicle technologies, infotainment systems, cybersecurity solutions and digital cockpit innovations that support leading global automobile manufacturers.
University Collaborations Driving Future Technologies
The partnership with PES University represents HARMAN’s broader commitment to nurturing talent and accelerating research-driven innovation. By involving students and faculty members in live industry projects, the company aims to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial automotive applications.
HARMAN believes such collaborations help transform emerging technologies into production-ready solutions while giving engineering students practical exposure to complex automotive software development.
The company is currently in discussions with multiple universities and colleges across Bengaluru to establish additional collaborative programmes, creating a wider innovation network that can contribute to India’s growing role in the global automotive technology landscape.
Contributing to Global Industry Standards
Beyond product development, HARMAN’s Bengaluru engineering teams actively participate in international technology standards that shape the future of connected mobility.
The company’s engineers contribute to globally recognised organisations such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Munich-based 5G Automotive Association (5GAA). Through these engagements, they help define next-generation communication standards, connected vehicle technologies and mobility solutions that will influence the future of the automotive industry.
Such participation enables HARMAN’s Indian engineering teams to remain closely aligned with evolving global technological requirements while contributing to worldwide innovation efforts.
Strong Partnerships with Leading Automakers
HARMAN’s Bengaluru operations have also achieved significant commercial success through partnerships with major automotive manufacturers.
The company serves as the exclusive Tier-1 supplier for cockpit and infotainment systems used by Tata Motors, including its expanding portfolio of electric vehicles. These technologies have been developed from the Bengaluru engineering centre and demonstrate the city’s growing capability in delivering sophisticated automotive software platforms.
HARMAN has also collaborated with Mahindra & Mahindra to introduce premium in-car audio experiences for electric sport utility vehicles. In addition, its long-standing relationship with Maruti Suzuki highlights the increasing adoption of connected vehicle technologies across mainstream passenger vehicles in India.
These partnerships illustrate how software, digital experiences and connectivity have become central to modern vehicle development.
India’s Growing Role in Software-Defined Vehicles
As the automotive industry rapidly transitions toward software-defined vehicles, cloud connectivity and intelligent mobility, Bengaluru is emerging as one of the world’s leading centres for automotive software engineering.
Industry experts believe India’s strong engineering talent, expanding GCC ecosystem and close collaboration between industry and academia are positioning the country as a key innovation destination for global automotive companies.
According to HARMAN, Bengaluru is no longer merely supporting software development but is increasingly delivering production-ready technologies for both Indian and international original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). With continued investment in research, engineering talent and university partnerships, the city is expected to play an even greater role in shaping the connected, intelligent and software-driven vehicles of the future.
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
