IIT Madras Students Build Solar Car ‘Aagneya’ for Global Race in Australia
In a remarkable display of innovation and engineering prowess, a 38-member student team from IIT Madras has built a solar-powered car named ‘Aagneya’, which will represent India in the prestigious Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025. This international competition, scheduled to take place from August 24 to August 31, 2025, involves a grueling 3,000-kilometre race across the harsh and unforgiving Australian outback, from Darwin to Adelaide.
The team behind this ambitious project, Team Agnirath, is part of the Centre for Innovation (CFI) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. What began in 2021 with just six enthusiastic students has now grown into one of India’s most advanced and successful student-led engineering initiatives. With cutting-edge technology and a determined vision, the students have created one of the most sophisticated solar race cars ever developed in the country.
Aagneya: A Solar Car Built for Extreme Challenges
‘Aagneya’, the solar vehicle, is a culmination of years of design, prototyping, and technical refinement. Unveiled recently at the IIT Madras campus, the car was showcased by Director Professor V. Kamakoti, who lauded the students’ efforts and emphasized the significance of such innovation in driving India’s startup ecosystem.
One of the standout features of the vehicle is its whole carbon fibre body, which is among the largest ever constructed by an Indian student team. This advanced material has drastically reduced the car’s weight, thereby enhancing speed, energy efficiency, and overall performance.
Another technical upgrade includes an improved solar panel efficiency, which has been increased from 19 percent to 24 percent—a critical enhancement for a solar-powered race car navigating long distances under varying environmental conditions. Furthermore, the battery pack has been downsized without compromising performance, highlighting the team’s deep understanding of energy optimization.
Smart Technology at the Core
The integration of AI-based control systems makes Aagneya more than just a solar car—it is a smart vehicle designed to adapt to real-time race conditions. The car’s machine learning module can make tactical decisions by analyzing variables like weather patterns, terrain features, and solar irradiance levels. Additionally, a live telemetry system constantly sends real-time data to the pit crew, allowing for efficient monitoring, swift decision-making, and on-the-fly modifications during the race.
These intelligent systems are not only crucial for endurance racing but also point toward a future where smart, sustainable transportation becomes mainstream.
Backed by Industry and Innovation
Team Agnirath received robust backing from several industry sponsors, including Game Change Solar, Billion Mobility, Charge Zone, and COEZET. These collaborations provided access to high-grade materials, advanced fabrication tools, and essential testing infrastructure—all critical components in making a race-ready solar vehicle.
This initiative also reflects the broader innovation ecosystem at IIT Madras. According to Professor Kamakoti, the institution is creating structured pathways for students to explore entrepreneurship. He proudly shared that over 100 startups have been incubated at IIT Madras, and more than 470 patents were filed in the last financial year. The institute has even seen its first initial public offering (IPO) from an incubated startup, with the revenue being reinvested in supporting emerging ventures.
His message to students was powerful and encouraging: “You must have the confidence that if you are part of a startup from IIT Madras, it will lead to a unicorn.”
The Race: A True Test of Engineering and Endurance
The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is not just any race—it is widely regarded as one of the most demanding engineering competitions in the world. Participating teams must not only innovate but also withstand extreme environmental stressors.
Mr. Sairam J, a third-year student in Biological Sciences at IIT Madras and Business Module Lead of Team Agnirath, detailed the challenges that lie ahead. He explained that temperatures during the race soar above 50°C during the day and drop below 5°C at night, testing both the car and the team. Additionally, crosswinds reaching over 60 km/h can significantly impact vehicle stability and aerodynamic control.
Navigating through Australia’s remote interior, Aagneya will face variable terrain, unpredictable weather, and logistical obstacles—all of which require a delicate balance of engineering precision, strategic planning, and team coordination.
Driving the Future of Sustainable Mobility
Beyond the race, the Aagneya project serves a larger purpose: to inspire and drive the future of clean, sustainable mobility in India. By integrating solar energy, lightweight materials, and intelligent systems, the students of IIT Madras are not only competing at the highest level but also making meaningful contributions to the evolving discourse on green technology and renewable energy.
Their journey from a six-member idea group in 2021 to a 38-strong team representing India on the global stage exemplifies what student-led innovation can achieve when supported by the right institutional ecosystem and industry partnerships.
Conclusion: Innovation with Purpose
The story of Aagneya is more than a tale of a solar car—it is a testament to the power of youth-led innovation, academic support, and real-world application of technology. As the world watches the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, India can take pride in knowing that some of its brightest minds from IIT Madras are not just racing for a trophy but for a sustainable future.
Stay tuned as Team Agnirath prepares to light up the Australian outback with the power of the sun and the spirit of Indian innovation.
