In a remarkable feat of student-led innovation, a team of 34 students from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has developed Aagneya, a high-performance solar-powered race car. Built to endure extreme desert conditions, the car will represent India in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025, a 3,000-kilometre endurance race stretching across the Australian outback from Darwin to Adelaide. The event will be held from August 24 to 31, 2025.
The project is the brainchild of Team Agnirath, a multidisciplinary group from IIT Madras’ Centre for Innovation (CFI). What started in 2021 with just six students has now grown into one of India’s most accomplished student-run engineering initiatives, with 38 members from various academic backgrounds.
Aagneya: Engineered for Extremes
Aagneya is no ordinary vehicle. It has been engineered to withstand the harsh and unpredictable conditions of the Australian outback—temperatures soaring above 50°C during the day and dipping below 5°C at night, along with high-speed crosswinds up to 60 km/h.
To meet these challenges, the car features a carbon fibre monocoque body, one of the largest ever developed by an Indian student team. This advanced structure enhances strength while significantly reducing weight, thus improving aerodynamic efficiency and speed.
Innovation at Its Core: AI and Solar Tech Integration
One of Aagneya’s standout features is its AI-powered control system. The vehicle uses a combination of statistical control algorithms and predictive modules to adapt to real-time conditions during the race, optimising energy consumption and performance.
The solar panels have also been significantly improved. While individual solar cell efficiency remains in the 23–24% range, the team has achieved an overall panel efficiency increase from 19% to 24% by enhancing internal routing and manufacturing techniques.
“It’s not just about better cells, but better integration and system design,” said a team member, emphasizing the importance of engineering innovation over raw component performance.
Tackling Real-World Engineering Challenges
Like any cutting-edge project, the team encountered its share of obstacles. Design complexities, manufacturability issues, and component misalignments tested their skills. By working closely with vendors and iteratively refining their prototypes—often through manual sanding and precision fitting—the students demonstrated practical problem-solving at every stage.
“Our greatest challenge was translating design into reality,” shared one team member. “We had to make design choices that were both optimal and manufacturable.”
Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration
A major strength of Team Agnirath lies in its cross-disciplinary collaboration. Students were encouraged to contribute based on their passion and skillset rather than their academic departments.
“Members are free to choose technical modules aligned with their interests. That’s what drives creativity and innovation,” the team explained.
This culture of openness has not only accelerated learning but also contributed to the team’s rapid expansion and technical growth over just four years.
Powered by a Culture of Innovation
The project has been supported by key industry partners including Game Change Solar, Billion Mobility, Charge Zone, and COEZET. Institutional support from IIT Madras and its Centre for Innovation (CFI) has been equally instrumental in turning Aagneya into a reality.
Professor V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, commended the team’s achievement, stating,
“Projects like Aagneya exemplify the innovation ecosystem we are cultivating. IIT Madras has incubated over 100 startups and filed more than 470 patents in the last fiscal year alone.”
Looking Beyond the Race
While the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is the immediate goal, the team is already thinking ahead. They believe that Aagneya’s core technologies—especially in solar energy integration and lightweight design—have the potential to influence the future of commercial electric vehicles and renewable energy applications.
“We envision solar-integrated EVs that reduce charging times and enhance driving range,” said the team.
A Message to Young Engineers
As they prepare to take Aagneya to the world stage, Team Agnirath has a message for aspiring engineers and innovators:
“Be curious. Explore fearlessly. Pursue your passion wholeheartedly. That’s where the breakthroughs begin.”
With determination, collaboration, and cutting-edge engineering, Team Agnirath is not just building a solar car—they’re driving the future of sustainable mobility.
