Unlocking India’s Potential: Innovating Beyond Software to Shape a Bright Future

In the early 2000s, Alok Nanda earned the nickname “bumper guy” when he worked at General Electric (GE). His task? To find a better way to protect pedestrians in car accidents by placing a layer of plastic between the bumper and the beam of a Suzuki Swift. Nanda, a young engineer from India’s Defense Research & Development Organization, joined GE at a new site near Bengaluru. His early work was a foundation for something much bigger.

Fast forward two decades, and Nanda now heads the John F. Welch Technology Center in Bengaluru, overseeing complex projects that leverage India’s extensive engineering talent. Instead of just focusing on cutting costs, they’re creating valuable intellectual property that could change the future of technology.

Unlike software outsourcing, which has brought India global recognition, engineering is poised to create a new wave of rewarding jobs. As generative artificial intelligence transforms the tech landscape, India has a chance to step up as a major player in engineering and research.

Policymakers in New Delhi aim to rival China in manufacturing, backing this ambition with $24 billion in production-linked incentives. However, they face stiff competition not just from Asia, but also from the United States, which is actively reviving its manufacturing sector.

Despite challenges like bureaucratic hurdles and trade restrictions, India can still emerge as a global hub for engineering innovation. Frederic Neumann, HSBC’s chief Asia economist, emphasizes that India’s strong service connections with the global economy might compensate for its limited goods trade. The demand for commercial services is rising, suggesting there are opportunities waiting to be seized.

One of Nanda’s recent initiatives involves his work as the chief technology officer at GE Aerospace. He leads a team collaborating with counterparts in New York on a groundbreaking development platform aiming to improve jet engine efficiency by 20%. Such advancements typically yield only half that improvement in each new engine generation. Nanda describes his role as a dream come true for engineers, comparable to a child in a candy store.

When GE Aerospace became an independent public company, one of the key figures on stage was Ravindra Shankar Ganiger, a prolific inventor with over 100 patents. The inputs from Ganiger’s team are essential in developing new jet engines, aligning with CEO Larry Culp’s vision for the future of flight.

GE recognized India’s potential early on. Now, nearly 1,600 multinational companies have set up operations there, employing 1.7 million skilled professionals. If India can enhance the quality and relevance of its 2.5 million science, technology, engineering, and medicine graduates each year, it can broaden its talent pool significantly. Reducing bureaucratic challenges and improving living conditions could encourage these talented individuals to stay and contribute locally.

If each highly skilled worker supports three others—not just in menial roles—it could have a ripple effect. Greater tax revenue from these jobs could fund vital infrastructure, stimulating demand for locally made goods. As stronger consumption builds, so too will job opportunities, helping to fortify the economic pyramid.

A good example of how engineering can add value is the 360 Foam Wash. Vidya Venkataramani and her team developed a machine that can wash jet engines between flights. To mimic real-world conditions, Venkataramani even manufactured her own dust in the lab. This machine is now saving airlines thousands of gallons of fuel each year.

Similarly, mechanical engineer Sanjeev Jha works on predictive maintenance for jet engines, employing advanced machine-learning models. Each engine has a digital twin, allowing for comprehensive analyses that optimize performance and maintenance schedules. The technology necessary for standardizing testing is also being created in Bengaluru.

When GE first entered India, the market was small, accounting for less than 1% of its global revenue. Yet, former CEO Jack Welch saw immense potential in India’s skilled workforce. Over the years, this perception has transformed, as India now consistently contributes cutting-edge solutions to worldwide markets.

One intriguing project underway is creating a hybrid-powered jet, akin to a “Prius of the skies.” Electrical engineer Suma MN is tackling the technical challenges of this concept. When asked if she was the first woman with a Ph.D. from her village, she humorously replied, “I’m the first human.”

This transformation in India’s engineering landscape highlights the potential to reshape its economic future through innovation, research, and skilled labor.

Source link

Bengaluru, engineering talent, General Electric, jet engines, artificial intelligence