AI Adoption in Simulation

Enabling Agile Product Development

F​ree Webinar

Wednesday, 7 January 2026 | Online

14:00 (IST - Bengaluru)
08:30 (London) | 09:30 (Berlin)

P​art of the प्रवाह -Pravaha - NAFEMS India Webinar Series
E​xploring Frontiers in Engineering Modelling & Simulation

From automotive to aerospace, the demand for AI/ML applications in engineering simulation-based product development has been on the rise. This is particularly true in the concept development phase of any ‘ALL NEW’ kind of programs.

In the case of automotive product development, deriving an efficient design space that satisfies all the conditions of vehicle architecture, including packaging and attribute performance targets (aerodynamics, HVAC, durability, safety, NVH, and ride & handling), is the key activity in concept development.

Currently, a particular challenge for any automotive OEM is the product development timeline; how quickly a new product can be introduced to the market, thereby reducing the total development time in both simulation and physical vehicle production terms.

This webinar will highlight lessons learned from conventional product development processes and introduce a hybrid process that leverages AI/ML to accelerate concept development and reduce development time in the detailed engineering phase.

The webinar will focus on:

• A novel approach to an AI-enabled design process
• Integration of generative AI for concept creation
• Quick attribute prediction using predictive AI models

Agenda

• W​elcome & Introductions
  J​o Potts, NAFEMS
• U​pdate on NAFEMS India
  NAFEMS India Chair - Uma Maheshwar | BEC - GE Aerospace
  NAFEMS India Chair Elect - Jaya Raju Namala | Airbus Group India Private Ltd. 
• AI Adoption in Simulation enables Agile Product Development
  Dr. Sarma S R Akella, ex Mahindra & Mahindra Limited
• Q​&A

O​ur Speaker ...

Dr. Sarma S R Akella, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited

Ex - Mahindra & Mahindra, Senior VP of Engineering Analysis & Vehicle Development

Dr. Sarma Akella has been with Mahindra & Mahindra since March 2015, currently working as Senior Vice President, Heading ‘Engineering Analysis & Vehicle Development (Simulation & Testing)’ in Product Development for Auto and Farm sectors at Mahindra Research Valley, Chennai.

Prior to this, he was with Ashok Leyland for 7 years, worked as General Manager – ‘Product Verification and Benchmarking’ in Product Development, Technical Center, Chennai.

In his earlier career, Dr Akella worked with Eaton India Engineering Center – Pune as Engineering Manager for Modeling and Simulation CoE (Center of Excellence), Prior to this, he had also worked with General Electric as Product Specialist in GE Industrial Systems.

Completed his Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Osmania University, Hyderabad.

Masters in Gas Dynamics from Aerospace Engineering, IIT, Madras and PhD in Mechanical Engineering, IIT, Madras.

He did his Post-Doctoral research at Cranfield University, U.K on Aircraft Icing predictions and anti-icing methods.

He has about 28 years of total experience in the field of CAE simulations & Product Development for Automotive / Industrial.

He has four publications in refereed International journals and several conference papers in the field of Fluid Mechanics / Gas dynamics / Durability analysis / Materials/Combustion. He has guided 2 students so far for Ph.D. in the fields of Combustion and Light Weight Materials

He is actively participating in evaluating technical papers for SAE and officiated as judge for several conferences in selecting the best Technical Papers in the fields of Simulation & Testing.