Suzuki opens e-micromobility lab in India

Suzuki R&D Center India has established the Suzuki e-Micromobility Innovation Lab for Ecosystem (SMILE) at the International Automobile Center of Excellence in Gujarat, India, as a co-creation platform connecting Japanese electric mobility technology with Indian startups and component manufacturers. The lab will focus on developing the company’s Versatile micro e-Mobility (VmeM) platform, announced in Japan as Mitra, for applications across infrastructure sectors including industry, air cargo, warehousing, municipalities, energy, real estate and agriculture.

An opening ceremony was held on 13 January in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, following the platform’s showcase at the Vibrant Gujarat event on 11–12 January in Rajkot.

“With the launch of SMILE at iACE, we will work closely with Indian industry, startups, and government stakeholders to drive co-creation on valuable mobility solutions that support growth and sustainability,” Director and Executive Vice President Katsuhiro Kato said. “We also aim to serve the role as a key base for the global deployment of the VmeM platform.”

The lab was established following a memorandum of understanding for Project VmeM signed by iACE and Suzuki R&D Center India on 24 December 2024. iACE was founded in 2015 jointly by the Government of Gujarat and Maruti Suzuki India, and has provided training to more than 10,000 individuals from over 500 companies.

Source: Suzuki