Preneeta Sharma
Shivam, a prominent developer in the quickly changing field of automobile technology, was brought up and nurtured in the tranquil town of Jhakri, Himachal Pradesh. He presently heads a group of sixteen system and safety architects at a Silicon Valley firm that is leading the way in creating software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture for significant automakers. This groundbreaking research reshapes the future of transportation by enabling established manufacturers to take on industry disruptors like Tesla and challenge the rapidly expanding dominance of Chinese OEMs.
Their capacity for rapid innovation and adaptation has propelled Chinese OEMs’ ascent in the global auto industry. They have taken the lead in fields including enhanced connectivity, affordability, and EV technology. Shivam’s work tackles these issues head-on by providing OEMs in the US and throughout the world with state-of-the-art SDV platforms built for technological excellence, scalability, and adaptability. Through over-the-air updates, these platforms allow cars to develop smoothly and maintain their competitiveness over the course of their lives. Furthermore, they establish the groundwork for upcoming developments in connected and automated driving. The outcome? With a 20% decrease in development time and a 15% boost in vehicle efficiency, legacy automakers not only bridge the technological divide but also establish new standards for safety, efficiency, and user experience.
His father, a civil engineer, served as an inspiration for Shivam’s journey to leadership in Jhakri. He set his own path and attended VIT University to earn a degree in mechanical engineering. His early desire for innovation was demonstrated when he co-founded squad Pravega, an FSAE (Formula SAE) squad that built and competed in international formula-style automobile racing.
Because of his love of engineering and motorsports, he helped start India’s first Formula 1 Grand Prix and received certification from the AMG Driving Academy. His technical proficiency and competitive advantage were further enhanced by this practical experience.
Shivam relocated to the US in 2012 to attend Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) to obtain a Master’s degree in Automotive Engineering. He became a member of CU-ICAR’s Deep Orange 5, an ambitious program in which students collaborated with General Motors to build a fully working concept car. Shivam’s academic career reached a turning point when the car was later displayed at the SAE World Congress.
Shivam began working for Ford Motor Company in 2014 as a control engineer after receiving his degree. He helped create Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) there, which was the first time that Ford’s product line included technologies like autonomous parking and adaptive cruise control.
Shivam made the leap to the forefront of autonomous driving in 2018 by assuming leadership positions at Motional and then TuSimple. Shivam’s team at TuSimple accomplished a historic first by operating the first 80-mile driverless vehicle in history. This accomplishment, which was carried out on Arizona’s public roadways without the assistance of a driver, showed the promise of autonomous trucking, a technology that has the potential to save countless lives by lowering the number of accidents brought on by human mistake.
Shivam is leading the charge to rethink automotive innovation today. His team’s work on software-defined vehicle architecture aims to solve a wider global problem faced by Chinese OEMs’ technological advancements, not merely to help OEMs compete with disruptors like Tesla. Shivam’s work enables automakers to produce vehicles that are not only technologically competitive but also tailored for quick innovation cycles by building scalable, future-proof platforms.
This entails creating next-generation car communication protocols, integrating cutting-edge safety systems, and guaranteeing smooth over-the-air software updates—all while retaining the adaptability to satisfy changing customer needs. Shivam’s work is crucial in providing American original equipment manufacturers with the means to regain their position as industry leaders in automotive innovation and technology, providing a realistic way to challenge Chinese competitors’ market dominance.
From his early years in Jhakri to spearheading innovative developments in autonomous driving, Shivam’s journey is proof of the strength of foresight, perseverance, and creativity. He continues to motivate the upcoming generation of engineers to push boundaries and influence the future by creating innovations that redefine mobility, save lives, and restore competitive balance in the automobile industry.
