The Economic Times

Harsh Goenka has shared a computer-generated video depicting a chilling vision of future warfare involving AI systems, autonomous vehicles, bird-like drones and swarms of insect-sized machines. His post has renewed discussion around autonomous weapons and the growing role of artificial intelligence in military operations.

Effective September 1, auto-rickshaw fares in Dakshina Kannada district have seen a revision. Passengers will now start with a minimum charge of Rs 40 for the first 1.5 kilometers, followed by Rs 20 for each additional kilometer. The RTA has also adjusted waiting and luggage fees. Notably, rides during the nighttime from 10 pm to 5 am will be charged at 1.5 times the regular fare.

Faridabad-based auto-parts maker Victura Technologies is considering an India IPO that could raise up to $300 million through fresh shares and an offer for sale. The company has held preliminary talks with investment banks and may appoint advisers soon. The potential listing comes amid growing interest in Indias auto-components sector.

Renault is rapidly expanding its Indian market presence with new vehicle models. The company plans to introduce factory-fitted CNG and updated powertrains soon. Next-generation electronic architecture will feature in value segment vehicles. Renault aims to become a top three global market by 2030.

Bajaj Auto shares rose on Tuesday after the two- and three-wheeler maker reported a 28% year-on-year increase in August sales. Strong export growth drove the performance, with two-wheeler exports rising 53%. Commercial vehicle sales also grew 22%, while the companys April-August sales increased 29% year-on-year.

JSW MG Motor India saw a fourteen percent sales increase in August. The company reported wholesales reaching seven thousand five hundred eight units. This growth occurred across both ICE and New Energy Vehicle portfolios. The new Tomahawk SUV was launched with EV and PHEV options. Dispatches of the MG Hector Tomahawk EV have now commenced.

Manufacturers will slightly increase product prices over the next fortnight. This move aims to protect crucial festive season demand and sales. Companies are absorbing some cost increases to avoid larger price hikes. Smartphone and automobile makers are implementing these adjustments now. Further price revisions are unlikely until at least November end.

Mumbai auto-rickshaw and taxi minimum fares have been raised by the transport authority. Auto-rickshaw fares increased to twenty-seven rupees and taxi fares to thirty-three rupees. Drivers must recalibrate their electronic meters within three months from now. Revised fares will officially take effect starting September first this year. Over four lakh auto-rickshaws and fifty thousand taxis operate in the region.

Bengaluru flyover restrictions: Bengaluru traffic police will restrict vehicles on airport and electronics city elevated corridors. Two-wheelers and autorickshaws face round-the-clock bans on the airport road flyover. Goods vehicles will also be restricted during specific hours on several city flyovers. These new traffic rules aim to enhance road safety and reduce congestion. The restrictions will initially be implemented on a trial basis for assessment.

The Odisha government has ordered automatic salary deductions for state employees who fail to pay court-mandated alimony or maintenance to estranged wives and children. The amount will be transferred directly to beneficiaries, with cases to be tracked through the states HRMS system.

JSW MG Motor India has appointed Parth Jindal as its new chairman. Jindal has been a board member since the joint venture's formation. He is actively involved in product strategy and manufacturing expansion. The company is accelerating growth and localization plans in India. This appointment supports the automaker's expansion strategy with new products and EVs.

High-performance SUVs are increasingly favored by India's affluent achievers. These vehicles signify personal journeys and milestones for self-made individuals. The luxury automobile market now reflects a more diverse wealthy consumer base. Personalization options further enhance the ownership experience for these buyers. This trend highlights a shift in how success is displayed on Indian roads.

Tata Motors expects strong demand for its electric commercial vehicles to continue growing. The company anticipates resolving battery cell supply issues by the quarter's end. Significant electric commercial vehicle orders were secured in the first quarter. Further opportunities are expected from the government's PM-eBus Sewa program. Total cost of ownership parity supports the growing demand for electric models.

General Motors will invest C$1.1 billion in Canada's auto sector after a tentative union deal. This investment includes adding a heavy-duty GMC Sierra truck to an Oshawa plant. The CAMI plant in Ingersoll will not be sold or closed while production is studied. New V8 engines and transmissions will also be produced in Ontario facilities. This agreement aims to bolster Canada's auto industry amid trade tariff concerns.

Indian automakers are expanding powertrain options as petrol's market share declines. New models offer electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid choices to consumers. CNG and diesel technologies also remain relevant in this evolving market. Carmakers are hedging bets due to buyer preference uncertainty. This complex transition offers customers diverse mobility pathways.

Peyman Kargar will become TVS Motor's new Chief Executive Officer in 2027. He brings over three decades of global automotive industry experience to the role. Kargar previously led Nissan's luxury brand Infiniti and Datsun operations. He has also held senior positions at Renault Group across several regions. Kargar's appointment aims to accelerate growth through innovation and market expansion.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has halted RTO actions against drivers. Auto and taxi drivers will now receive one year to learn Marathi. This decision came after a meeting with union representatives on Thursday. Fadnavis stated that no coercive action would be taken during this period.

Mahindra Last Mile Mobility is considering doubling its annual production capacity to meet rising demand for electric three-wheelers. The Mahindra & Mahindra subsidiary currently has capacity to produce 300,000 vehicles a year across plants in Telangana, Karnataka and Uttarakhand.

Mumbai's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a one-year learning period for drivers. This extension allows drivers time to acquire functional Marathi language skills. No action will be taken against drivers during this granted one-year period. Marathi classes and study materials will be provided to aid their learning efforts. This decision follows a recent transport department drive and driver organization meetings.

European shares were largely flat as gains in technology stocks, fuelled by Nvidias upbeat revenue outlook, offset declines in consumer goods, chemicals and automobile stocks. Investors also tracked Middle East developments and falling oil prices, with hopes of progress in talks involving Iran and Qatar potentially easing concerns over energy supply disruptions.

Alaska's manual salmon counting techniques are laborious and expensive. To improve efficiency, new computer vision algorithms are under development to automate the vital task of fish population monitoring. Initial AI solutions faced high error rates compared to human counters, but ongoing advancements have significantly enhanced their accuracy. Embracing automation holds the potential for widespread and efficient oversight of crucial fish stock levels.

German auto parts maker Mahle GmbH is revisiting plans to list its Indian business in Mumbai, according to people familiar with the matter. The potential IPO could raise around $300 million to $400 million, with the company expected to appoint advisers and begin preparations soon. Mahle had previously considered an India listing in 2024 but did not proceed.

Gabriel India has formed a strategic joint venture with South Korea's HL Klemove. This partnership aims to expand Gabriel India's presence in high-growth automotive segments. The collaboration will focus on autonomous driving solutions and advanced driver assistance systems. Gabriel India will acquire a 30 percent stake in HL Klemove India for US$98.44 million. This venture will develop and sell advanced mobility and automotive electronic products.

Automakers face doubled U.S. tariffs on Canadian vehicles and parts starting January 1. This move significantly increases costs for major manufacturers like Ford and General Motors. The planned 50% levy on Canadian imports rivals existing tariffs on Chinese vehicles. Industry executives express concern over this uneven playing field and supply chain disruption. However, some hope a resolution will be reached before the deadline.

The year 1866 marked a pivotal moment in communication history with Christopher Sholes' invention of the QWERTY keyboard layout. This groundbreaking design not only reshaped how people wrote but also facilitated quicker business transactions. The Sholes and Glidden typewriter emerged after its patent by E. Remington & Sons, showcasing the importance of the QWERTY system, which continues to endure amidst ongoing technological evolution.

India will amend regulations and introduce new rules within two months for manufacturers. The minister assured companies that their concerns were resolved during recent discussions. The government has simplified the Bureau of Indian Standards framework and approval processes. India aims to seed $50 billion in semiconductor and associated industries soon. This initiative is part of a long-term journey for India's manufacturing ecosystem.

Quote of the Day by Peter Coyote: Peter Coyote's famous quote, I spent ten years de-educating myself... challenges conventional assumptions about security and success. Drawing from his time in the 1960s counterculture movement, Coyote examines the tension between institutional conditioning and authentic independence. He argues that external safety nets can obscure innate resourcefulness, trapping people in comfortable compliance.

Anticipated changes to road safety policies will restrict two-wheeler headlamps to low-beam mode only. Buses and heavy vehicles will be required to use genuine reflective tapes to improve visibility. Furthermore, stricter regulations will be introduced for headlamp intensity and colour temperature across all vehicle categories. An alert system may also be introduced to signal drivers when high-beam use is unnecessary in urban areas.

After relocating to India, an ex-NRI prefers to travel by auto-rickshaw for her short commutes. Concerned about the hazardous paths and fast-moving traffic, she opts to spend around one hundred rupees daily to sidestep the stress associated with her return. This decision showcases her sensible method of dealing with urban life's hurdles, prioritizing safety over discomfort.

People who naturally lower their voice when someone nearby does the same may be responding to a combination of social cue detection, vocal accommodation, conversational entrainment and unconscious mimicry. A change in another persons voice can provide a subtle social signal that the brain quickly interprets. In response, your communication style may adjust automatically, sometimes before you consciously realize that you are doing it.

Indian consumer companies are increasing festive marketing budgets by up to 20% as demand shows signs of strengthening and dealers build inventory ahead of the key consumption season. Automakers, FMCG and electronics firms are boosting advertising and consumer engagement despite margin pressures from higher input costs and rupee depreciation.

This 16-year-old built an autonomous AI-powered robot turtle that detects microplastics in water. The Canadian student created the turtle-inspired robot to scan water for tiny plastic particles using 3D holographic imaging and artificial intelligence. The innovative system can detect microplastics with high accuracy and won a major award and scholarship at an international science fair. The invention could offer a promising new way to monitor water pollution.

Pune auto fare hiked: Pune commuters report autorickshaw drivers charging higher fares before September 1. Passengers claim drivers cite revised tariffs and add arbitrary amounts to meter readings. Some drivers also demand extra money for CNG refueling time, causing disputes. Commuters booking through apps also face demands exceeding displayed fares. The RTO states no major complaints have been received regarding pre-implementation fare hikes.

Skoda will launch the Slavia facelift on August 18 with exterior and interior revisions. The updated sedan may feature revised headlights and a redesigned front grille. Inside, a larger digital display and new upholstery are anticipated for the cabin. The 1.0 TSI engine could receive an upgraded 8-speed automatic transmission. This facelifted Slavia will continue its rivalry with established segment competitors.

In major Indian cities, the popularity of petrol cars is waning as consumers turn to CNG, hybrid, and electric vehicles. This is largely influenced by the allure of lower operational costs and superior fuel efficiency. To keep pace with this transformation, automobile manufacturers are diversifying their offerings to include various powertrain types, signaling a significant shift.

A container truck collided with an auto-rickshaw and a motorcycle. The tragic accident occurred in Jharkhand's Latehar district on Saturday evening. Five individuals, including a minor, lost their lives in the collision. The incident took place in the Dedh Tangawa valley area. Post-mortem examinations will be conducted after the rescue operation concludes.

Mahindra Racing will remain in Formula E through the Gen4 era until at least 2030, using the championship to develop electric vehicle technology. The team aims to transfer advances in software, powertrain efficiency and engineering expertise to Mahindras road cars.

In July, fund managers recalibrated their blue-chip stock portfolios, focusing on select sectors like IT, automotive, and pharmaceuticals for increased investments. Notably, financial services, particularly non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and private lenders, received a surge in fund inflows. Conversely, stakes in public sector banks such as SBI and Bank of Baroda saw a decline, a strategic choice that underscores a preference for industries with stronger earnings visibility.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released Ram Nath Kovind's autobiography on Wednesday. He recalled his long association and guidance from the former President. The book is titled 'Triumph of the Indian Republic: My Life, My Struggles'. Kovind expressed that sharing his journey in the book was emotional. He urged the younger generation to read and learn from his experiences.

A woman from Gurgaon recently took to Instagram to express her frustration after an auto rickshaw driver charged her eight hundred rupees for a mere seven-kilometer ride. This incident, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, has led to widespread complaints among commuters, who are grappling with inflated travel fares during the challenging monsoon season, further amplifying the struggles faced by city dwellers.

Honeybees learned to identify face-like patterns by observing feature arrangements. Researchers discovered bees focused on relative positions of eyes, nose, and mouth. This visual strategy could inspire new facial recognition technologies. The insects demonstrated this ability even with unfamiliar images. Their tiny brains achieved complex visual analysis, offering valuable insights.

Rockstar Games will reveal an extended look at Grand Theft Auto 6 on August 28. The highly anticipated game is officially slated for a November 19, 2026 console release. Indian PC players are still awaiting an official announcement for their platform. This extended look will offer more details about the game's world and characters. Fans should await official confirmation regarding any PC version release.

The Delhi High Court has asked the government for its response on a plea. This plea seeks automatic tax deducted at source refunds for individuals not owing income tax. Currently, these individuals must file an income tax return to claim their refunds. The court is considering directing immediate processing of unclaimed TDS refunds up to 5,000. A permanent automatic TDS refund mechanism for future years is also being sought.

In 1941, a Black American scientist and industrialist and business magnate built a car with never-seen-before plastic made from soybean and other crops through the collaboration of George Washington Carver and Henry Ford. The Soybean Car used plant-based materials instead of a full steel body. The project aimed to reduce vehicle weight, improve fuel use, and connect farming with manufacturing. World War II stopped further development before the concept reached production.

The India-UK CETA agreement enhances agricultural exports by reducing tariffs on processed food products. This pact improves India's price competitiveness against non-FTA suppliers, supporting export diversification. Automotive exports will see UK tariffs eliminated, boosting Indian manufacturers' market access. India's import duties on passenger vehicles will also decline over fifteen years.