HARMAN partners with PES University in Bengaluru on next-gen auto software

Updated: July 20, 2026 06:54 pm IST By: Mini Tejaswi

HARMAN, a Stamford-based leader in connected automotive technologies and a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has partnered with PES University in Bengaluru. The collaboration involves over 25 students and eight faculty members in developing software designed to power the next generation of automobiles.

HARMAN’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) is located in Bengaluru. The company is also in discussions with several other universities and colleges in the city for similar technology collaborations.

Bengaluru’s Role in Next-Generation Automotive Software

Krishna Kumar, Senior Vice President, Managing Director and Automotive Head of HARMAN India, noted that Bengaluru — which powered the world’s software industry for decades — is now increasingly shaping the software that drives next-generation automobiles for global markets.

“The Bengaluru GCC functions as a core engineering nucleus connecting global R&D with scalable manufacturing and real-world deployments,” said Mr. Kumar.

Nearly 80% of the company’s 4,000 automotive engineers in India are based in Bengaluru. These engineers work on technologies that eventually reach vehicles sold across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Research and Industry Contributions

According to Mr. Kumar, the centre co-innovates with leading universities in Bengaluru, fostering research collaborations that help translate emerging technologies into production-ready automotive solutions.

HARMAN’s engineers in Bengaluru also contribute to global industry and standards bodies, including:

• IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New York)
• 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) , Munich

These contributions help shape the future of connected mobility through next-generation technology standards.

Milestones and OEM Partnerships

A significant milestone for the Bengaluru GCC is that its platform has secured adoption from both Indian and global OEMs, Mr. Kumar said.

Key collaborations include:

• Tata Motors: HARMAN is the sole Tier 1 supplier for cockpit and infotainment systems, including for Tata’s electric vehicles — all developed out of Bengaluru.
• Mahindra & Mahindra: Collaborations have introduced premium in-car audio experiences in electric SUVs.
• Maruti Suzuki: Long-standing partnerships 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 added.

Published - July 19, 2026 01:05 am IST