Hyundai CoE Mobility Innovation Ideathon 2026

An ideathon for students at the 7 Hyundai CoE member universities to pitch new in-vehicle experiences for Indian customers, with a ₹10 Lakh prize pool.

The Hyundai CoE Mobility Innovation Ideathon 2026 is run by Hyundai Motor India Engineering Pvt. Ltd. under the Hyundai Center of Excellence (Hyundai CoE), Hyundai Motor Group's research partnership with seven Indian universities. The theme is "Enhanced In-Vehicle Experience": ideas that make time in the car more useful, enjoyable, comfortable and personal for Indian customers, in future vehicles where AI, UX, software-defined vehicles (SDV), digital content and personalization come together. Students pick one of four challenge topics — India-Smart Interaction, AI powered & Digital In-Vehicle Experience, Next-Generation In-Vehicle Interface, or Smart

Value Innovation — and one of two tracks

• Track A (Experience & Scenario) or Track B (Technology & Prototype).
• Each member university first selects up to four teams, Hyundai experts then pick seven finalists, and the finalists present in Delhi on 16 December 2026.
• All seven finalists win ₹1 Lakh each, and the Grand Prize team gets an extra ₹3 Lakh.

All 7 finalist teams receive a ₹1 Lakh scholarship each — one takes the Track A Award, one the Track B Award and five the Best Innovation Award. One finalist is then picked for the Grand Prize and receives an extra ₹3 Lakh, for a total of ₹4 Lakh. The total prize pool is ₹10 Lakh. Teams invited to the Hyundai Offline Evaluation and the Final Event get their transport paid, plus accommodation if the flight schedule needs it, for up to two students per team. Ideas are judged by Hyundai experts from product planning, vehicle development, business planning, styling and design.

Note

for the 7 finalist ideas, Hyundai gets the right to use, develop, patent and commercialize the idea under the Terms & Conditions. Non-finalist teams keep their IP.