Tag: conversation

  • India’s e-cycle market | Conversation with EMotorad • EVreporter

    In this insightful conversation with EVreporter, Sumedh Battewar, Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer of EMotorad, discusses the dynamics of India’s burgeoning e-cycle market and the brand’s strategies for domestic and international growth.

    The e-cycle market is the fastest-growing segment within the EV space, with global sales surpassing electric cars and scooters. Valued at $1.2 billion in India, this market is expanding at a CAGR of 9.94%, with a projected 50% increase in manufacturing capacity by 2026. While global adoption is mature, India is catching up quickly, particularly in Tier 1 cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, where demand has seen double-digit growth annually.

    At EMotorad, we’re at the forefront of this shift, holding over 75% market share in India. Our network of 600+ offline dealers and 12 experience stores ensures widespread access. By combining innovative products with a focus on community education and sustainability, we’re not just riding the wave of growth—we’re leading it.

    When we launched in 2020, the concept of e-cycles was still unfamiliar to most Indian consumers. Many were hesitant to invest in what they saw as an expensive cycle. Our initial focus was on education—explaining what an e-cycle is, how throttle and pedal-assist work, and why it’s a game-changer. We introduced India’s first dual-suspension e-cycle, the EMX, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. But mass adoption required accessibility, so we developed the budget-friendly X-Factor range, which made e-cycles mainstream in India.

    Customer feedback has been our biggest teacher. We addressed pain points like battery charging by introducing removable batteries, ensuring convenience for urban users. Concerns about theft led us to enhance safety features, while insights on road conditions pushed us to adapt our tyres and switch to lightweight frame materials. Every product iteration reflects our commitment to solving real-world problems, making e-cycles more practical, secure, and enjoyable for everyone.

    E-cycles are incredibly versatile, appealing to a broad demographic across all age groups and genders—kids, parents, and even grandparents. Their battery and throttle features make them ideal for micro-mobility, particularly in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities where traffic congestion is a daily challenge. We see significant adoption in cities like Pune, Mumbai, and Bangalore, where e-cycles are used for short commutes and running errands. Additionally, fitness enthusiasts form a growing segment, as do students and residents in areas with less developed local transport, who value e-cycles as a cost-effective means of travel.

    We’ve developed two distinct ranges to cater to this diverse customer base. Our premium Desire range includes models like the Doodle (a fat-tyred foldable e-cycle), EMX (dual-suspension), and T-Rex (high-performance). Meanwhile, the X-Factor range offers budget-friendly options, ensuring there’s an e-cycle for every rider, regardless of their needs or budget.

    We currently hold over 75% of the domestic e-cycle market share. To keep pace with the surging demand, we’re ramping up our manufacturing capacity, expanding our after-sales service teams, and strengthening our distribution network. We aim to ensure that EMotorad’s products are accessible to every corner of the market, delivering quality and innovation to an ever-growing customer base.

    This year has been our strongest yet. We surpassed our entire FY24 sales in India within the first half of FY25, and we’re on track to achieve over 200% year-on-year growth in the domestic market. September 2024 was a milestone for us, recording the highest single-month revenue in India—exceeding our total domestic sales for FY23. This performance underscores the growing demand for e-cycles and the success of our strategic initiatives.

    Currently, 30% of our sales come from the domestic market, while 70% are from international markets, where we operate primarily through white-labelled partnerships. Our export strategy is straightforward yet highly effective: we’re leveraging the global shift towards a supply chain model, positioning ourselves as a reliable alternative to traditional exporters. This has opened up significant opportunities for EMotorad, especially with large-format retailers, specialised e-bike brands, and mobility solution providers.

    We focus on fostering strong partnerships by collaborating closely with these players to develop innovative, high-quality products tailored to their markets. We’re not just exporting e-bikes—we’re building enduring relationships and co-creating solutions that meet the diverse needs of global consumers. This approach has enabled us to establish a strong foothold in international markets, ensuring long-term growth and mutual success. Our gigafactory is pivotal in meeting the surging global demand and driving EMotorad’s export strategy. By bringing manufacturing in-house, we gain greater control over quality and streamline our supply chain, ensuring consistent, high-standard products that meet the expectations of our international partners.

    In the domestic market, 85% of our e-cycle sales come from offline channels, with 15% from online. This reflects a strong preference for hands-on, in-person experiences where customers can test-ride and evaluate our products.

    To meet this demand, we’ve built a robust offline presence with over 600 distributors nationwide, covering nearly all major pin codes. Combined with our 12 exclusive EMotorad experience stores, we ensure easy access and top-notch service for our customers nationwide.

    While several state governments offer EV subsidies, few focus on e-cycles. That said, the push for EV adoption over the past few years has been significant, with governments investing time and resources to promote sustainable alternatives to traditional commuting. These subsidies are critical in building trust and driving mass adoption, especially for concepts still new to the average consumer.

    These incentives make e-cycles more accessible by lowering the upfront cost and encouraging a broader audience to embrace eco-friendly transportation.

    Our upcoming gigafactory is a transformative project designed to boost our manufacturing capabilities significantly. It’s divided into four phases, each aiming to scale our production capacity and enhance self-reliance.

    Phase 1 focuses on in-house manufacturing of key components such as motors, batteries, chargers, and displays, with an initial production capacity of 500,000 e-cycles annually across six assembly lines. Phase 2 will expand this further by adding in-house frame manufacturing and two additional assembly lines. Phase 3 will bring in mechanical component production with multipurpose units. Phase 4, still a few years away, will depend on market demand and the productivity of earlier phases, but it’s expected to boost our overall capacity substantially. We anticipate this final phase to exceed even our current ambitious projections.

    We have raised nearly USD 25M to date.

    We were at a stage where we needed a brand face—someone who truly embodied our values and ethos. MS Dhoni was the perfect fit. He’s a national icon, known for his trustworthiness and integrity, resonating with people across every region, transcending language and cultural barriers. His passion for bikes made the partnership even more seamless.

    Working with him has been an absolute honour and a surreal experience. Beyond being a legendary athlete, he’s a sharp investor and astute businessman. His insights and commitment have added immense value to our journey, helping us drive the EMotorad brand forward in ways that align perfectly with our vision.

    Also read: How electric cycles can revolutionise last-mile delivery economics | Opinion

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  • “You know nothing…”: Cricket icon MS Dhoni narrates hilarious conversation with wife Shakshi while watching an ODI

    Former Indian captain and cricket icon MS Dhoni recently narrated a hilarious incident of him watching a game of cricket with his wife Sakshi. With the Chennai Super Kings star trying to explain his wife the rules of the game, Dhoni hilariously revealed that she tried to shut him up.

    Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Photo courtesy: Free Press Journal
    Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Photo courtesy: Free Press Journal

    Speaking during a promotional event, here’s what Dhoni had to say about the incident:

    “Ghar mein baithke we were watching a game. Toh ek match chal raha tha, one-day international tha, Sakshi bhi thi saath mein. Usually, main aur Sakshi cricket ke baare mein baat nahin karte. Bowler ne ball daala. It was a wide, batsman ne step out kiya, toh woh stump ho gaya. Umpires usually review le lete hain ki third umpire decide karega. My wife started, ‘Out nahin hai’. Jab tak usne bola out nahin hai, batsman ne chalna start kar diya tha. ‘You just see they will call him back. Wide ball mein stump ho hee nahin sakta hai’.” (We were at home watching a game and there was an ODI going in. Sakshi was there with me. We don’t talk about cricket when we are together. Bowler bowled a wide ball, batsman stepped out and was stumped. But my wife said it’s not out. By that time, the batsman had started walking back. But she kept saying the umpires will call him back as there can be no stumping in a wide ball.)

    “So, maine kaha wide mein stumping hota hai, no ball mein nahin hota. She was ‘Tumko kuch nahin pata hai’. You just wait third umpire will call him back. Jab tak yeh baat ho rahi hai woh bechara batsman already boundary line tak paunch gaya. She is like ‘No no, they have to call him back. Finally jab out hua aur next batsman aa gaya, ‘There’s something wrong’. (I told her in case of a wide there is stumping but not when there is a no ball. But she said ‘You know nothing. You just wait the third umpire will call him back’. By this time, the batsman had already reached the boundary line. Finally when the new batsman arrived she said, ‘There’s something wrong’).

    MS Dhoni likely to play in IPL 2025

    Meanwhile, Dhoni has also hinted at his participation in IPL 2025, claiming that he wishes to enjoy the remaining of his playing days. During a promotional event for Rigi he remarked, as quoted by The Times of India:

    ALSO READ: Cricketer MS Dhoni allegedly duped of USD 1.8 million, files case against ex-business partners

    “I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play. In our childhood, we used to go out to play at 4 pm and enjoy the game. But when you play professional sport, it becomes difficult to enjoy cricket, just like a game. It’s not easy. The emotions are there, commitments are there. I want to enjoy the game for the next few years.”

    However, it remains to be seen if Dhoni will be retained by CSK as an uncapped player ahead of the auction.

    (The article is published under a mutual content partnership arrangement between The Free Press Journal and Connected to India)

  • Architectural Innovations – A Conversation With Hardik Pandit, Director Of APICES Studio


    Hardik Pandit, Director of APICES Studio

    1. Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to pursue a career in architecture?

    – Since graduating with my architecture degree from Mumbai’s esteemed Sir J.J. College of Architecture in 1998, my professional journey has been a dynamic tapestry of creativity and growth. Beginning at Ar. Sabu Francis and Associates, I played a pivotal role in pioneering software solutions tailored for architects, marking the early stages of my career with innovation and technological acumen. Transitioning into academia, my tenure at Kamala Raheja Vidyanidhi College of Architecture from 2000 to 2004 provided a platform to not only impart knowledge but also to continuously refine my own skills and nurture my passion for architecture.

    In 2018, my trajectory took a collaborative turn as I became involved with Trust Groups by the ASCENT Foundation, a role that has allowed me to forge meaningful partnerships within the architectural community while contributing to its growth and development. Joining the PEATA India committee in 2020 further solidified my commitment to fostering collaboration across disciplines, connecting architects, engineers, and planners to drive impactful projects forward.

    My achievements have been recognized on numerous occasions, notably being honored as the Young Architect of the Year at the Era Fame Awards in 2013. This accolade serves as a testament to my contributions to landmark projects such as Raheja Prime, Eastern Winds, Opus Prime, and Opal Square through my firm, APICES Studio Pvt Ltd. Through these endeavors, I have not only left an indelible mark on the architectural landscape but also continually sought to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence within the field.

    2. What are some of the new trends you’re observing in the field of architecture?

    – In the ever-evolving world of architecture, emerging trends are reshaping the landscape with both innovation and sustainability at the forefront. Wellness architecture has taken center stage, emphasizing elements that prioritize occupants’ health and serenity, thereby fostering environments conducive to well-being. Concurrently, there’s a notable revival in the use of metal buildings, distinguished for their sustainability credentials and aesthetic versatility, offering both durability and design flexibility. Moreover, sustainability and climate-responsive architecture are gaining prominence, advocating for environmentally conscious practices and materials that minimize ecological footprints. Additionally, architects are seamlessly integrating data centers into urban contexts, where functionality and energy efficiency converge seamlessly. These evolving trends underscore architecture’s dynamic nature, adeptly addressing contemporary needs and aspirations while embracing innovation, sustainability and the evolving demands of society.

    Top of Form

    3. What excites you the most about the potential of AI-driven design solutions in shaping the architectural field in the years to come?

    – I wholeheartedly share the excitement about the transformative potential of AI-driven design solutions in shaping the future of building construction. The rapid duplication of designs facilitated by AI stands poised to profoundly impact productivity and spur innovation within the architectural sphere. By automating menial tasks and freeing architects from repetitive duties, AI empowers them to channel their energy into pioneering design concepts that push the boundaries of creativity. Moreover, AI’s capacity to envision buildings with intricate geometries opens doors to unprecedented architectural achievements. The integration of AI into the architectural field heralds a new era of groundbreaking progress, promising to revolutionize the essence of building design. It’s a thrilling prospect that not only streamlines processes but also unleashes extraordinary levels of creativity, ultimately shaping the built environment in remarkable and inspiring ways.

    4. For those aspiring to make a positive impact through architecture, what advice would you give them to navigate the complexities of sustainability and innovation?

    – For aspiring architects seeking to make a meaningful impact, navigating the multifaceted dimensions of sustainability and innovation requires a strategic and adaptable approach. Cultivating a growth mindset is paramount, embracing change and continuous improvement to stay abreast of evolving standards and practices. Collaborating effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds fosters a rich experience and exchange of ideas which lead to sparks creativity, essential for addressing complex challenges. Striking a balance between honing technical proficiency and nurturing empathy for clients is equally vital. By blending these principles, aspiring architects can harness the power of architecture as a catalyst for positive change, leveraging innovative design solutions to forge a more sustainable future. It’s about recognizing the interconnectedness of design, society, and the environment, and channeling passion and creativity towards creating spaces that not only function seamlessly but also enhance the well-being of individuals and communities alike.

  • In Conversation: How AI is Redefining Language Barriers in the Digital Age

    Benjamin Muller

    Benjamin Muller

    At a time when Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) are making groundbreaking advances, Benjamin Muller, Ph.D from INRIA Paris, currently pursuing a postdoc at Meta in NY, is pioneering efforts to overcome language barriers globally.

    Muller’s research focuses on making AI systems comprehend and articulate various languages. This challenge is not just technical – it is a quest to improve human connectivity and democratize technological access.

    We sat down with Benjamin to explore his journey and uncover insights on AI’s role in redefining language barriers in the digital age.

    Q: Can you share your journey into AI and NLP with us?

    A: I got into AI in 2015 when Deep Learning, a machine learning approach that uses trainable artificial neural networks, started to massively impact Natural Language Processing by improving the quality of AI systems on many tasks like machine translation and document classification. At the time, we had to design and train one model per specific NLP task, making every progress constrained to a particular domain and use case.

    Fast-forward to 2018, when I started doing full-time research as a PhD student, the BERT model was released by Google. It was the first genuinely general-usage language model, a revolution for the field.

    That’s when I started to intensely work on scaling language models multilingually. More specifically, our idea was to make BERT a better multilingual model by adapting it to languages it was not designed for. We adapted it to Bambara, Nigerian Pidgin, and North African Arabic. We were one of the first teams in the world to show that it was feasible with only a limited amount of data.

    Q: What inspired you to focus specifically on scaling AI technologies to multiple languages?

    A: First, I’m fascinated by the idea that, while I will never be able to speak or understand more than a few languages (I speak about three now), AI systems can help us understand, speak, and generate text in dozens. When seen this way, AI expands what we can understand. It opens up our awareness of the world.

    Next, my passion for mathematics and an interest in languages naturally led me to this field. The possibility of AI helping us understand and communicate in numerous languages beyond our human capacity truly fascinated me.

    For example, when I got into AI, I was captivated by one statistical property of AI systems. Words are typically represented in vectors to build AI systems. Around 2015, it was shown that learning a geometrical transformation of these vector spaces makes it possible to map one language into another. I explored this technique in 2016 and improved the classification of documents in French using data in English.

    Q: What are your primary research goals?

    A: There are about 7,000 languages in the world today. In Africa alone, this linguistic diversity flourishes, with estimates ranging between 1,250 and 3,000 languages spoken across the continent. One of my primary research goals is to extend AI’s reach to cover as many of these languages as possible, including primarily spoken ones. Essentially, my goal is to make AI systems more robust and general to the infinite linguistic diversity of human languages. To put things into perspective, AI and digital technologies currently cover, at most, about 5% of the world’s languages. Additionally, beyond the 30 most studied languages, the quality of NLP technologies, such as search engines, machine translation systems, and speech recognition, degrades drastically.

    With more than 500 languages, Nigeria is a fascinating example of such linguistic diversity. The languages with the most speakers, such as Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, benefit from a limited coverage of technologies. Other languages like Bade or Reshe have nearly no technological coverage. They are spoken by a few hundred of thousands of speakers and are in danger of extinction.

    For these languages, NLP technologies have the potential to help preserve and potentially revitalize them by providing tools for communities. For example, NLP can help translate content into these languages and transcribe and digitize content to help linguists describe them.

    My second goal is to develop AI systems that understand and generate multiple modalities like speech or images. My hope and intuition is that multimodal models will enable AI systems to process speech and pictures along with text and improve our models’ textual abilities. For instance, multimodal models could help us achieve better multilingual capabilities.

    Q: How do you see the current state of NLP technology’s ability to handle multiple languages?

    A: Until a few years ago, scaling NLP technology to new languages was very challenging. We had to collect a large quantity of training data for each language and use case, such as human-annotated examples, from which the system would learn. This data collection is usually time-consuming and costly.

    Self-supervised learning techniques have been a game-changer, allowing us to build multilingual systems for about 100 languages without requiring extensive human-annotated data. However, many challenges remain. Scaling to the following thousand languages is still unsolved. Additionally, making AI systems work and adapt to the socio-cultural context of users across all these languages is an open technological problem.

    Q: What NLP breakthroughs do you anticipate seeing in the next few years?

    A: I anticipate even more progress in what we call multimodal modeling. Multimodal models integrate text, speech, and images within a single model, potentially enhancing the reasoning abilities of AI and its proficiency in multiple languages.

    Q: What are the biggest challenges in scaling AI for a broader language spectrum?

    A: The primary challenge is creating evaluation benchmarks for new languages and collecting sufficient raw textual data.

    To address this need, I recently worked on releasing the Belebele benchmark (Belebele means big, large, fat in Bambara). Belebele is a first-of-its-kind evaluation benchmark. Before this release, no massive multilingual benchmark for reading comprehension evaluation existed. Reading Comprehension is one of the foundational skills of Large Language Models.

    Thanks to Belebele, it is now possible to measure progress and hill climb better AI systems for up to 122 language variants. I hope this will pave the way for future progress in multilingual AI systems. Belebele reached hundreds of thousands of downloads in a few months. This shows the great interest from researchers and developers in making progress on this topic.

    Q: How does your work contribute to bridging the digital language divide?

    A: AI technology is impacting our daily lives. It has a massive influence on the workplace by improving productivity and automating repetitive tasks. It also has the potential to revolutionize how we learn and access information.

    By building better multilingual AI systems, I hope my research will contribute to democratizing access to digital experiences, ensuring that AI technologies offer the same quality of experiences to speakers of all languages.

    Q: How do you perceive the evolution of AI and NLP in the global tech landscape?

    A: AI has evolved from rule-based systems to models capable of learning from raw data. This trend towards minimal human intervention in the learning process is set to continue, paving the way for more autonomous and sophisticated AI systems.

    Q: Where do you see your research leading you in the next five years?

    A: I’m enthusiastic about the potential of multimodal modeling. My future projects will focus on designing better multimodal language models (i.e., models that can understand and generate images, audio, and potentially videos). I hope that multimodal models will unlock better multilingual modeling by integrating richer socio-cultural contexts and providing better experiences to users in languages different from English.

    Final Thoughts

    Benjamin Muller’s contributions to AI and NLP represent a significant step towards a world where language no longer divides but unites. As AI continues to improve and evolve, Muller’s work paves the path for a future where digital experiences are universally accessible and transcend linguistic boundaries.

  • GoaFest 2023 Abby One Show Awards -The Present and Future of Creativity in Advertising: in Conversation with Kevin Swanepoel and Prasoon Joshi 

    GoaFest 2023 Abby One Show Awards -The Present and Future of Creativity in Advertising: in Conversation with Kevin Swanepoel and Prasoon Joshi 

    abby one show awards, abys awards 2023

    01st June, 2023, Goa, India:

    As the sun went down on Day 2, a session on the present and future of creativity in advertising kickstarted the Abby One Show Awards 2023. Partha Sinha, President of the Times of India Group and President of The Advertising Club, in conversation with leading advertising pioneers Prasoon JoshiCEO of McCann World group India, and Chairman APAC and Kevin SwanepoelCEO of The One Club, deep dived to understand the true essence of The One Show’s association with the ABBY Awards. The discussion shed light on the current scenario of creativity in advertising, the opportunities and challenges that come along with data, and how the industry can rebrand itself to welcome young people to become a part of it.

    Abby One Show Awards session

    On One Show’s association with the ABBY Awards, Kevin said, “What One Show brings to the ABBY Awards is that everybody around the world already believes that One Show is the award that brings in the highest integrity. We have a very clear of judging and briefing. The process is anonymous and therefore there is no lobbying. Following this is a very carefully orchestrated discussion between the jury. This entire process really helps us elevate the level of creativity and helps creative agencies, entering the awards, have a firm belief in the way it is being judged. The One Show has got a world-class system, making it the second biggest award globally.

    Adding to this, Prasoon said, “We are living in a time where we are the most disconnected. A congregation of this sort is helping rebuild that connection. At the end of the day, while we can endlessly talk about AI, we are still humans and that is why we are here. Being on the board of One Show has been a huge journey for me. I grew up in the world of advertising, aspiring to win a pencil one day. The tie-up with One Show brings in an aspect of nuance and craft at the ABBY awards. While data and AI might take you towards facts, One Show ensures the art remains intact.”

    When asked about the future of creativity and how it will manifest and amalgamate in the advertising industry, Prasoon further said, “Today many of us present here are drifters. According to me, confusion is the most fertile state where one gets ideas. It is the liminal space where one is most fertile. People who enter the advertising industry are by nature confused. Today, the avenues are much more than before. And that is where awards like these play an important role in creating that magnetic attraction. The fact that wonderful work is being celebrated, makes one passionate to belong there. We need to consider data as an ally and not be threatened by it. The art of meandering needs to be retained.”

    Abby One Show Awards discussion

    Further speaking on the changing ecosystem of advertising that now comprises a 7-year-old influencer to a 70-year-old writer, Kevin shared his thoughts. He said, “Many years ago we started with One Show Entertainment, followed by One Show Design and One Show Interactive. We have always looked and seen what is going on in the industry and made sure that we are at least ahead of it. This year, we awarded the first AI category in the art directors awards. Another big thing that we are doing right now is for young creators. We have started schools to get young creators of TikTok, Instagram reels, and YouTube to teach them strategy and briefs. As advertising practitioners, we look at what is going on in culture and how can we make our work relevant. We need to keep our ears and avenues open, and invite the next generation in order to be able to market to them.”

    Lastly, on making the industry worthwhile for youngsters, Prasoon said that as an industry, we need to make efforts to bring in young people, while Kevin stated that if we don’t draw young people in, we might alienate them. The session concluded with a shared objective on how the industry needs to make efforts, change the environment, and encourage young talent to become a part of the industry. The industry which is known for creating brands needs a little bit of rebranding.

  • Google adds contact photos to conversation threads in messages

    Google has added a contact’s profile picture to the highest of conversations in messages for Android, following bigger modifications to “RCS” branding and skim receipt icons in current weeks.

    Messages have at all times allowed customers to open Google Contacts by tapping an individual’s title in the app bar — the corporate is now emphasising that shortcut by displaying their profile photos as nicely, in accordance to 9to5Google.

    It is identical picture that seems in the principle record of conversations when tapping on the area in group conversations opens that element web page.

    Google.

    Google.IANS

    This design is in line with different apps, with Facebook Messenger and Telegram displaying avatars in the identical left place, whigrouple iMessage shows it in the centre, the report stated.

    Moreover, the magnifying glass icon has been eliminated as a part of this variation, and “Search” has been added to the overflow menu.

    In January, Google rolled out end-to-end encryption in group chats for messages app customers enrolled in the beta programme.

    Google Messages

    With this characteristic, one-on-one texts despatched utilizing messages by Google might be encrypted so they’re non-public and safe and may solely be seen by the sender and recipient.

    The Google messages app already consists of end-to-end encryption when messaging somebody who additionally has the RCS (Rich Communication Services) chat options enabled, nonetheless, this has to date been restricted to messages between two events and never group chats.

    (With inputs from IANS)