NxtWave has joined forces with TIER IV and the Autoware Foundation to build the world’s largest Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Developer Community. Launched under the SkillUp India 4.0 initiative, this collaboration aims to equip Indian youth with advanced skills in autonomous vehicle technology, thereby positioning India at the forefront of the global Physical AI revolution.
This partnership aims to bridge the gap between academic curricula and industry requirements by providing hands-on experience and globally relevant expertise to young innovators. It addresses the growing demand for AI-driven mobility solutions and seeks to transform industries such as transportation, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing through the integration of artificial intelligence with real-world physical systems.
It aims to tackle key challenges in India’s talent pipeline, such as a lack of awareness about AV technology, an industry-academia disconnect, and the need for a globally competitive workforce in AI-driven mobility. Through this partnership, India is anticipated to attract global investments, foster research, and drive technological breakthroughs across multiple sectors.
Talking about the partnership, Mr. Rahul Attuluri, Founder and CEO of NxtWave, said, “We are thrilled to announce this partnership, which aligns perfectly with our mission to create a future-ready workforce. By merging NxtWave’s extensive upskilling framework with TIER IV and Autoware’s cutting-edge open-source technology, we are confident in our ability to transform India’s position in AV and Physical AI innovation.”
Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC & MD, NSDC International, stated, “This strategic partnership represents a pivotal moment in India’s journey towards technological leadership. By equipping our youth with cutting-edge autonomous vehicle skills, we are not just filling a talent gap – we are positioning India as a global hub for Physical AI innovation.”
Mr. Shinpei Kato, Founder and CEO of TIER IV, and Chairman of the Autoware Foundation, emphasized the mission to advance autonomous driving technology through structured courses that provide both conceptual knowledge and practical application. Mr. Christian John, President of TIER IV North America and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee at the Autoware Foundation, highlighted the collaboration’s importance in accelerating innovation in autonomous mobility.
The program aims to adopt both, offline and online learning models, provide localized content in regional languages, and integrate insights from the collaboration to refine its AV curriculum. The immediate outcomes include: increased awareness of AV career prospects, core AV skills among youth, and strengthened industry-academia collaboration. In the long term, the initiative aims to create a robust talent pipeline, drive new startups and research initiatives, and enhance India’s reputation in advanced autonomous systems development.
Beyond the AV sector, the initiative is expected to impact adjacent industries such as logistics, healthcare, and agriculture, with applications including driverless trucks, autonomous medical drones, and autonomous tractors. The initiative aligns with the Indian government’s vision for emerging technologies, potentially leading to regulatory frameworks and public-private partnerships scaling pilot projects into national initiatives.