Hyundai Motor India is looking beyond its own research and development teams as it hunts for the next generation of mobility technologies. The carmaker has announced the Hyundai Innovation Challenge 2026, a six-month programme aimed at identifying and partnering with startups working on areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), electrification, connectivity and other next-generation vehicle technologies. The initiative, supported by Hyundai Motor Group's global open innovation platform ZER01NE, is designed to bring startups and Hyundai together to co-develop solutions that could potentially shape future vehicles and mobility services. Hyundai Motor India MD And CEO Tarun Garg said, "At Hyundai, we strongly believe that the future of mobility will be shaped by collaboration, innovation and bold thinking. The Hyundai Innovation Challenge, curated in partnership with Hyundai Motor Group's ZER01NE team, is designed to bring together some of the brightest minds and most promising startups to co-create solutions that redefine mobility." The challenge comes at a time when carmakers globally are increasingly working with startups to accelerate the development of technologies ranging from software-defined vehicles and artificial intelligence to connected-car platforms and advanced safety systems. According to Hyundai, the programme will focus on startups developing solutions across electrification, new mobility, connectivity, ADAS, AI-driven tools and next-generation vehicle technologies. The company said startups with innovative ideas beyond the listed focus areas are also encouraged to apply. Garg said India's entrepreneurial ecosystem has become an important source of innovation and that Hyundai sees startups as long-term partners in developing future mobility solutions. "Given India's dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem and its growing influence on global innovation, the Hyundai Innovation Challenge is poised to bring new tech innovations to the world of mobility. At HMIL, we see startups as partners and co-creators of a smarter, more sustainable future. We are excited about