New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), in collaboration with Guidance Tamil Nadu, have announced the design of the upcoming Hyundai HTWO Innovation Centre, a dedicated facility for green hydrogen research and development. The centre will come up at IIT Madras’ Discovery Campus in Thaiyur and is expected to become operational in 2026, reports The Indian Express.
The project stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed during the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024. HMIL and its philanthropic arm, the Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), have pledged Rs 100 crore, contributing to the total project outlay of Rs 180 crore. The Tamil Nadu government is also backing the initiative.
Spanning 65,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art centre will include advanced experimental and computational labs, a digital twin simulation hub for hydrogen infrastructure, pilot zones to test fuel cells and electrolyzers, and facilities for industrial-scale hydrogen technology assessment. IIT Madras will lead the development and operation of the facility.
The initiative is being jointly led by Hyundai’s HTWO brand, IIT Madras faculty, and government partners. The launch event drew participation from Hyundai officials, representatives from CSIR-NCL, the Korean Consulate, and other stakeholders from academia, industry, and policy sectors.
IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti said the centre would provide a platform for collaboration between research institutions, industries, and policymakers, advancing India’s capabilities in clean energy.
In parallel, IIT Madras has expanded its ‘School Connect’ Program. Initially offering two courses — Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and Electronic Systems — the program now includes 10 online, hands-on certificate courses for students in Classes 10, 11, and 12. Each course runs for eight weeks and is designed to build interest in STEM fields among school students nationwide.
Registration for the August 2025 batch is currently open, and schools can enrol their students by July 25 at code.iitm.ac.in/schoolconnect.
