With nearly two decades of expertise across diverse technological landscapes, Martin David has become a pivotal leader in India’s clean mobility revolution. As the Head of Micelio Discovery Studio, since 2022, he has been instrumental in creating a collaborative ecosystem that bridges stakeholders from around the globe to foster innovation and sustainable solutions. His entrepreneurial journey, which spans India and Taiwan, along with his commitment to applying global insights locally, makes him a visionary in driving India’s transition to clean mobility. In this exclusive interview, we explore Martin’s vision, leadership, and strategies to accelerate this transformation.
1. Can you give us an overview of Micelio?
Micelio is a Clean Mobility ecosystem entity, founded to accelerate India’s transition to sustainable transportation. Over time, Micelio has launched several initiatives, each addressing a specific gap in the ecosystem. The $30M Micelio Fund supports Clean Mobility startups across the value chain. To further support innovation, Micelio established the Micelio Discovery Studio, a cutting-edge testing facility aimed at democratizing access to technology for startups and MSMEs, empowering them to innovate for India and meet global standards. In collaboration with ARAI, Micelio offers digital twin technologies to help innovators push boundaries. Additionally, Micelio Pulse focuses on knowledge sharing and public policy advocacy. Meanwhile, the Micelio Community fosters collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders, driving joint projects forward in the clean mobility space.
2. What specific challenges in the clean mobility space inspired you to focus on creating a dedicated testing and validation facility?
The clean mobility space faces unique challenges, particularly the lack of dedicated infrastructure for affordable and comprehensive testing and validation. With electric vehicles and related technologies evolving rapidly, ensuring the safety, efficiency, and reliability of these innovations is critical. The absence of accessible facilities at a reasonable cost for rigorous testing inspired Micelio to establish the Micelio Discovery Studio (MDS)—a testing facility specifically designed to address the validation requirements of the evolving startups and OEMs in the clean mobility sector. We also recognized that various digital twin technologies can significantly accelerate startups’ time to market while reducing costs. This insight led us to collaborate with ARAI to establish the Digital Twin Facility, an initiative backed by MHI.
3. How does your testing and validation facility support the development and safety of electric vehicles and related technologies? Can you share some key testing methodologies/ equipment/ technologies you employ that differentiate your facility from others in the industry?
Micelio Discovery Studio aims to enhance the safety and performance of electric vehicles by offering reliable testing and validation capabilities. Our facility specializes in simulating real-world conditions through our equipment and infrastructure, enabling us to validate various components and systems thoroughly. We differentiate ourselves by offering technologies such as Hardware-in-Loop (HIL) systems, battery testing rigs, motor testing, environmental testing chambers, durability analysis, and advanced digital twin technologies. These services allow us to test vehicles in various operational conditions, providing data that enhances safety, efficiency, and innovation.
4. Do you collaborate with other stakeholders in the clean mobility ecosystem for this initiative?
Collaboration is a core value at Micelio, and we actively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including corporations and think tanks. One of our key partnerships is with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). Through this collaboration, we combine resources, expertise, and infrastructure to ensure that Micelio Discovery Studio (MDS) offers top-tier testing and validation services. This partnership also allows us to scale our capabilities to meet the increasing demands of the electric vehicle sector.
5. How does your collaboration with ARAI enhance the capabilities of your digital twin facility?
Our collaboration with ARAI allows us to make digital twin technologies more accessible, particularly for startups that often face challenges due to the high costs and seasonal usage of such equipment. As a result, many struggle to access these resources and spend significant time and money trying to develop robust products. By leveraging Hardware-in-Loop (HIL), Power-Hardware-in-Loop (PHIL), and Simulation Software Suite technologies within our Digital Twin Facility, we help innovators simulate real-world vehicle performance with high precision. This partnership provides industry-standard validation, enabling manufacturers to fine- tune their products before they hit the road.
6. Can you explain how your Hardware-in-Loop (HIL) systems integrate real-world scenarios to test different control units for electric vehicles and mobility solutions?
Our Hardware-in-Loop (HIL) systems simulate real-world driving conditions to validate the control units of electric vehicles. By integrating software with physical components, our HIL technology replicates diverse protocols and scenarios, testing components like powertrain control, braking, and battery management systems. This ensures that systems can handle unpredictable variables and harsh conditions long before they reach the road.
7. What role does your simulation software suite play in improving the efficiency and safety of clean mobility technologies, and how does it streamline the development process for your clients?
Our Simulation Software Suite which includes tools from Ansys, Altair, Z-Cast, and Moldex3D, accelerates product development by providing virtual simulations of structures, material behaviors, fluid dynamics, and vehicle performance that is helpful in optimizing designs and improving safety. This innovative business model allows startups or OEMS to use different software without a longer commitment that can help them understand vehicle behavior by simulating its performance under various conditions, including extreme stress and wear, offering clients data-driven insights to streamline their design and testing processes. In the end, virtual simulation reduces the need for multiple prototypes, cutting down development time and costs.
8. How are your digital twin and HIL systems being used to validate emerging technologies like next-gen battery management systems? What are the key benefits for OEMs and startups in leveraging your digital twin facility?
Our digital twin facility and HIL systems are at the forefront of validating emerging technologies, especially next-generation Battery Management Systems (BMS). These systems emulate real-world battery performance, allowing OEMs and startups to test for efficiency, longevity, and safety. With virtual simulations, physical testing, and emulation capabilities, we provide comprehensive validation at every stage, offering substantial benefits such as cost savings, faster market readiness, and reduced prototyping cycles.
9. As the clean mobility industry continues to grow, how do you plan to scale or adapt your testing capabilities to meet future demands, especially with emerging technologies?
As the Clean Mobility industry grows, Micelio Discovery Studio plans to scale its capabilities to accommodate new advancements in testing and validation. We are continually investing in emerging technologies like autonomous driving systems, enhanced battery testing, and advanced data analytics for vehicle performance. Our future strategy includes expanding our facilities to support more testing requirements, integrating more robust software and hardware solutions, and collaborating with additional industry stakeholders to stay ahead of evolving market demands. We aim to be the go-to testing and validation partner for both established OEMs and startups in the clean mobility space. Recognizing the skills gap in the industry, we also aim to provide technical training for industry leaders to enhance their expertise and for students to become industry-ready.
