ANCIT is a 450-plus strong company, all united by a vision to establish a world-class engineering tools company. In a remarkably short span, it evolved into Asia’s preferred Eclipse Tooling Company, laying the foundation for a decade of leadership in engineering tools and services. Over the years, ANCIT has become a trusted partner to a wide array of industries, including semiconductor, automotive, defense, and aerospace, serving both major corporations and innovative startups alike. The company soon earned its position as a technology partner of choice for OEMs, TIER-1s, and TIER-2s.
At the heart of ANCIT’s success is a relentless commitment to innovation. The company empowers clients with advanced tools to automate IT processes, boost efficiency, and streamline operations. ANCIT’s mission is to help businesses and individuals optimize IT infrastructures, mitigate risks, and unlock the full potential of cutting-edge technology solutions.
In an exclusive interaction with The Interview World, Prashant Rokade, Business Head of ANCIT, shares valuable insights into the company’s offerings for the automotive sector. He delves into the details of their simulation products, discusses the key features of their analytics solutions, and explains the innovative enhancements they are building on their existing products. Furthermore, Rokade highlights the market potential for these technologies, providing a clear view of the exciting future ahead. Below are the key takeaways from this conversation.
Q: Could you elaborate on ANCIT’s key offerings for the electric vehicle (EV) sector and how they contribute to its growth?
A: ANCIT is a software consulting firm we founded 17 years ago, initially as part of the Eclipse founding team. Over time, we expanded into engineering consulting services, partnering with major automotive brands such as Bosch, Klein, Mercedes-Benz, Infineon, and others. We assist these companies in designing Electronic Control Units (ECUs) that meet their specific requirements and ensure full compliance.
In addition to ECU design, we specialize in Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) ECU test simulations and embedded systems. We also provide Controller Area Network (CAN) devices, partnering with Tosun as their exclusive reseller in India.
We are also a global partner for Elektrobit, similar to the Vector Software platform, offering their advanced technology solutions to our clients.
Through our subsidiary, ANCIT Edutech, we emphasize the importance of corporate training in cutting-edge technologies. We offer specialized training programs in Autosar, Classic Autosar, Adaptive Autosar, embedded systems, and CAN communication. Additionally, we are organizing upcoming conferences on the software-defined vehicle, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and innovation.
At ANCIT, we are deeply involved in the entire electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. We provide Autosar-compliant ECUs for both automotive and EV sectors, delivering both the necessary software stacks and hardware solutions to drive technological advancements in these industries.
Q: Could you provide an overview of your simulation product and highlight its unique features?
A: We utilize an S32 simulator and an NXP smart wheel to facilitate seamless communication with our EV vehicles and cars. This setup eliminates the need for external wiring harness connections. Instead, we provide our own wiring harness, allowing you to simply connect to the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port.
With this system, we can efficiently fetch data for diagnostic purposes and bootloader functions. Additionally, we have the capability to flash our proprietary programs into the system. This forms the core functionality of the S32 simulator.
We also use this setup for training purposes. On this platform, you will notice the inclusion of an ESP32, which supports two microcontrollers—one for NXP and another for ESP32. This configuration supports advanced Autosar code, enabling us to leverage this code effectively. By incorporating our CAN hardware and interface, we can collect and manage critical data for various applications.
Q: What type of analytics solutions do you offer in conjunction with your simulation products?
A: Using this simulation software, we integrate the TS Master with the T1000 hardware. The TS Master simulation software communicates directly with the product, based on the customer’s database. This allows us to verify whether the program is functioning correctly. We can track how data is fetched, the type of communication used, and the communication speed. Essentially, the simulation software enables us to gather all relevant data and insights regarding the system’s performance.
Q: What is the next innovation you’re working on for this product?
A: We have introduced a zero-coding platform in India, enabling users to work without writing a single line of code. For instance, if I am not a domain expert and want to work with NXP, the learning curve could be steep and time-consuming, often taking at least two to three months to get results.
To address this challenge, we offer a solution that ensures immediate output without the need for coding. Instead of writing code from scratch, users can start by using predefined templates. With these templates, users can quickly achieve desired results, such as an LED blinking, making it easier to see the output and build confidence in the process.
Q: What is the market size for these types of products in India?
A: The automotive market is vast, with established companies like Bosch being long-time clients of ours. Now, we are expanding into the electric vehicle (EV) sector. We are already collaborating with prominent automotive brands like Tata Motors and Mahindra. Moving forward, we are targeting EV companies, especially those in the incubation stage or those planning to launch new products. We are eager to assist them in their journey.
In addition to our local efforts, I am overseeing several international projects in Austria, Morocco, Egypt, and Germany. We are excited about the opportunities both in India and abroad. In March 2024, we will officially launch our latest initiative, which is currently in the testing phase. At present, we are working closely with a select group of automotive OEMs.
