HARMAN partners with PES University to develop next-gen auto software

Samsung Electronics-owned HARMAN, a Stamford-based company specializing in connected automotive technologies, has collaborated with PES University in Bengaluru. Over 25 students and eight faculty members are involved in developing software for next-generation automobiles. The company’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Bengaluru is leading this initiative.

Krishna Kumar, Senior Vice President, Managing Director and Automotive Head, HARMAN India, said that Bengaluru, which powered the world’s software industry for decades, is now increasingly shaping software that drives future automobiles for global markets. “The Bengaluru GCC functions as a core engineering nucleus connecting global R&D with scalable manufacturing and real-world deployments,” he added.

Nearly 80% of the company’s 4,000 automotive engineers in India are based in Bengaluru, working on technologies that eventually appear in vehicles sold across North America, Europe, and Asia. The centre also co-innovates with leading universities in the city, fostering research collaborations that translate emerging technologies into production-ready automotive solutions.

HARMAN’s engineers in Bengaluru contribute to global industry and standards bodies such as the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), helping shape the future of connected mobility through next-generation technology standards.

A significant milestone for the Bengaluru GCC is that its platform has secured adoption from both Indian and global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Mr. Kumar noted. The company is the sole Tier 1 supplier for cockpit and infotainment systems for Tata Motors, including its electric vehicles, all developed out of Bengaluru. Collaborations with Mahindra & Mahindra have introduced premium in-car audio experiences in electric SUVs, while long-standing partnerships with Maruti Suzuki reflect the mainstreaming of connected features across vehicle segments.

“As the automotive industry becomes increasingly software-defined, Bengaluru is emerging as a pivotal force behind the connected vehicles of tomorrow. The city is also offering production-ready technologies for Indian and global OEMs,” Mr. Kumar further said.

HARMAN is also in talks with other universities and colleges in Bengaluru for similar technology collaborations.