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In a significant move to accelerate innovation in India’s smart infrastructure space, the TIH Foundation for IoT & IoE at IIT Bombay has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bajaj Electricals Ltd. to jointly develop an enterprise-grade Smart Streetlight Control System. The MoU was formally signed at the Bajaj Electricals’ R&D Centre marking the beginning of a three-year strategic partnership aimed at building next-generation lighting solutions powered by cutting-edge IoT, AI/ML, and networking technologies.
Under the MoU, the first phase of the partnership will focus on developing offerings for Smart Lighting platform. Over time, both partners envision extending this collaboration to tackle broader smart infrastructure challenges in the urban landscape.
“TIH Foundation for IoT & IoE, located at IIT Bombay, shall work collaboratively with Bajaj Electricals Ltd. to deliver the 'Smart Streetlight Control' project,” said Kiran Shesh, CEO of TIH. “This is a classic example of bringing ideas from lab to market by leveraging the deep technical expertise of TIH and the strong market leadership of Bajaj Electricals. We’re confident this partnership will pave the way for many more translational research projects that benefit industry and society.”
“At Bajaj Electricals, innovation is not just a goal, it’s our DNA,” said Anand Joshi, CTO & Head of R&D, Bajaj Electricals Ltd. “Our collaboration with TIH Foundation is an important step towards building intelligent lighting ecosystems that not only conserve energy but also enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in cities across India.”
The core objective of the MoU is to develop smart lighting systems that enhance energy efficiency, sustainability, and intelligent infrastructure management. The project will harness TIH’s expertise in electronics, network communication, and artificial intelligence, while Bajaj Electricals brings extensive experience in deploying cost-effective lighting solutions at scale across urban and semi-urban environments.
According to the MoU, the collaboration will initially focus on building a market-ready smart lighting platform, but both organizations envision extending the partnership to address broader smart city challenges. In doing so, the initiative will not only benefit the lighting industry, but also contribute to national priorities such as Digital India and Make in India, with the potential to impact communities across the country.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Bajaj’s R&D Center in the presence of senior leadership from both institutions, including virtual participation by Mr. Sanjay Sachdeva (Managing Director, Bajaj Electricals) and Mr. Rajesh Naik (COO Bajaj Lighting Solutions) and in person by Mr. Anand Joshi (CTO & Head – R&D, Bajaj Electricals), Mr. Kiran Shesh (CEO, TIH), Dr. Prasad Ramanathan (CTO, TIH), and Dr. Ashwini Gajarushi (Engineering Manager, TIH) and team members from both ends.
While the immediate focus remains on the co-creation of a smart streetlight solution, the initiative is also expected to contribute to skill development, especially in areas like AI, ML, and embedded systems. Engineering personnel engaged in the project will gain valuable experience in building scalable, high-impact digital infrastructure—further strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem.
The smart lighting system being developed is poised to play a transformative role in sustainability, using advanced algorithms and sensor networks to reduce energy consumption without compromising on safety or performance.
This innovation-driven collaboration reaffirms both organizations' commitment to technological advancement and national development. It sets a strong precedent for how academia-industry partnerships can drive real-world solutions that not only meet market needs but also address pressing societal challenges.
