In an exciting space
With new programmes and courses and industry-academia partnerships, the semiconductor industry in India is poised to grow exponentially
ar design is a complex process. Creating innovative and aesthetically pleasing designs while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance brings with it multifaceted challenges. In addition, it often demands substantial investments in design teams, tools and physical prototypes.
Our journey to the Tata Technologies InnoVent hackathon was a collaborative effort filled with research and brainstorming sessions. Named Team Rolex, we explored the transformative potential of Gen AI in automotive design, with the idea of enhancing engineering productivity and setting a new standard in automotive styling. This involved using Generative AI for design iterations, allowing users to provide design text prompts, optimising efficiency through automation, and providing a userfriendly interface. Among the 800 projects in the contest, ours stood our for automating car design using deep tech (Stable Diffusion Model).
CDeep dive
In the virtual prototype demo round, we brought our theoretical concepts to life. The interest from Tata Technologies SMEs in our application for Stage 2 was critical as it challenged us to create software that lived up to our ambitious proposal. This stage was defined by intense experimentation, exploration of technologies, and constant learning, as we aimed to apply complex AI algorithms to practical automotive design solutions.
The emerging nature of Gen AI meant learning from scratch and pioneering its application in automotive styling. Our partnership with the Tata Technologies team was key in navigating these challenges. Their expertise and insights enriched our project, allowing us to refine our tool to meet realworld needs. Our software emerged as a transformative solution by reducing design cycle times and enhancing styling creativity and precision.
Looking back, we see our success as more than just winning a competition; it was about advancing the frontiers of automotive design with AI, embracing the unknown, and realising our potential through dedication and innovation. This experience has not only readied us for what lies ahead but has also deepened our belief in the power of innovation to turn dreams into reality. ou have a onehour commute to college. As you find it hard to read in a moving vehicle, you opt for an audiobook. But, instead of a novel, you decide to plough through a textbook available as audio. You listen to a chapter on political philosophy, trying to focus keenly. Later, in the evening, when you’re writing a paper, you find that your memory of the content is rather sparse. Are you saving time by listening to audio textbooks on the bus or are you better off reading the chapter at home?
In an article in the online magazine Psyche, Janet Geipel and Boaz Keysar weigh the pros and cons of reading print versus listening to text. According to the authors, the modality through which we imbibe information impacts how we process it. When we hear text, we’re more likely to
Yhe rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are fuelling a new era of growth for the semiconductor industry. As India pushes to build a strong semiconductor industry, there is a need to ensure that engineering graduates are equipped with the necessary skills to cater both to the increasing demand for broad electronics expertise, as well as the niche talent required across the entire semiconductor value chain from design, manufacturing, and supply chain.
TNew initiatives
Around 300 engineering colleges in India have introduced chip and circuitry engineering programmes to nurture a skilled workforce for semiconductor testing and manufacturing, with a focus on very largescale integration (VLSI). However, more is required to develop a talent pipeline for manufacturing to have a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem.
In February 2023, the AllIndia Council for Technical Education (AICTE) initiated two specialised training programmes for chip making and develop 85,000 semiconductor professionals by 2032. The India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) has announced an initiative to reach out to eligible candidates and nurture and connect them to prospective employers. The Electronics Skill Council (ESSCI) has a comprehensive set of skills from the vocational stage that addresses the needs of the semiconductor industry from design to manufacturing. The Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA) also leverages content from the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) and Purdue University, which has agreed with the Government of India to advance workforce development, R&D, and industry partnerships in semiconductors.
Purdue University is also preparing to launch semiconductor programmes, between six and 12 months in duration, in collaboration with the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), to upskill and train Indian students and profesionals. targeting Indian students and professionals. SemiX in collaboration with global players has relaunched a shortterm course on semiconductor technology and manufacturing. Many of the Indian Institutes of Technology such as Bombay, Madras, Ropar, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad and Patna have already introduced courses in association with global experts to build awareness around semiconductor manufacturing and design and to bridge the gap between industry knowhow and academic curriculum. Global semiconductor companies have established ongoing fellowship programmes and signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with institutes and universities in India to enhance training and develop a capable workforce for the domestic semiconductor ecosystem.
Such industryacademia collaborations bring together the expertise, resources, and innovation of both entities to drive economic growth, foster technological advancements, and offer numerous benefits, including access to the right talent, R&D opportunities, problemsolving expertise, and knowledge transfer.
Career options
In the semiconductor industry, entrylevel roles, such as semiconductor technicians and junior engineers, are typically filled by fresh graduates or those with limited industry experience. The midlevel positions of semiconductor design engineer and process engineer represents 1520% of jobs and requires more expertise and experience. Senior positions senior design architect, integration engineer, research scientist, and managers comprise 1020%. Certain jobs such as quality assurance and equipment engineers necessitate an Engineering degree with a specific specialisation.
India currently has a workforce of around 125,000 engineers who are engaged in diverse aspects of chip design and development. Across the various levels, there are approximately 8,000 open positions in the sector. Many international corporations have spoken about their intentions to invest in R&D centres, semiconductor plants, and packaging units. Thus the semiconductor industry, which encompasses designing, manufacturing, and testing equipment and devices, is an exciting space currently. Its dynamic nature necessitates continuous learning to stay updated on emerging technology and trends.