Delhi, 23rd January 2025: In line with its ongoing commitment to advancing road safety innovation and commemorating ‘Road Safety Month’ (January 18 – February 17, 2025), Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has successfully concluded the 24-hour Toyota Hackathon at GL Bajaj Institute, Greater Noida, Delhi. The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including Chief Guest Mr Ashok Kumar IPS, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Greater Noida UP, Guest of Honour Mr RR Meena, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, and senior leadership from TKM, such as Mr Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance. The hackathon provided a dynamic platform for young minds to devise actionable solutions to pressing road safety issues.
This two-day event was further enriched through the guidance of mentors from GL Bajaj Institute and Delhi Technology University, who supported participants in refining their concepts and converting them into tangible outcomes. This initiative reflects Toyota’s unwavering dedication to empowering the youth and fostering innovative thinking to create meaningful societal impacts.
Road safety and education are pivotal elements of TKM’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework. The Toyota Hackathon forms a vital part of a broader Road Safety Initiative, which strives to achieve zero traffic-related fatalities through a comprehensive safety strategy. This approach highlights Toyota’s holistic vision of ensuring safety, not just by producing secure vehicles but by fostering awareness and encouraging behavioural changes within communities. The hackathon focused on crucial themes, including Road Safety Awareness and Education, School Zone Safety, Traffic Management, and IoT applications in Road Safety, promoting digital and policy-driven solutions to address these challenges effectively.
India holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest number of annual road crash fatalities worldwide, with over 1,50,000 deaths recorded each year. Road traffic injuries remain the leading cause of death among people aged 5 to 29 years. Acknowledging this critical issue, TKM launched the Toyota Hackathon in 2018 to integrate road safety education into school and college curriculums. By equipping students with the tools to become problem-solvers and critical thinkers, the initiative empowers them to tackle road safety challenges while inspiring them to act as ‘Change Agents’ in their communities, fostering positive behavioural transformations.
The Delhi edition of the Toyota Hackathon 2025 witnessed participation from over 400 students from grades 9 to 11, representing approximately 100 schools. Participants progressed through a structured five-phase process:
Team Selection & Idea Submission
Boot Camp Shortlisting
Final 24-Hour Hackathon
Incubation Support for City Winners
From 100 initial teams, 31 advanced beyond the boot camp stage, with 10 teams reaching the final round. Among these, 3 teams emerged victorious. The winning teams will receive ongoing incubation support to develop their proposed solutions further.
Following the Delhi event, the Toyota Hackathon 2025 will move to Mumbai on January 29 and Bangalore on February 14. For the 2024-25 academic year, TKM plans to extend the initiative to 300 institutions across these cities. More than 400 innovative ideas have already been submitted, and around 75 teams are expected to present functional prototypes. The top-performing teams will benefit from incubation support to refine and implement their solutions. This initiative not only aligns with Toyota’s vision for a safer future but also inspires the youth to channel their knowledge and creativity towards addressing critical societal issues.
Speaking at the event, Mr Ashok Kumar IPS, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Greater Noida UP, remarked that the Toyota Hackathon is much more than a competition—it represents a movement towards cultivating a culture of safety and responsibility among young individuals. Engaging students at this early stage is vital to embedding values of accountability and innovation. The ingenuity displayed by the participants reflects the transformative potential of youth when provided with the right opportunities and support. He applauded TKM’s efforts in spearheading this impactful initiative and expressed optimism about the tangible benefits these ideas could bring to communities.
Guest of Honour Mr RR Meena, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, highlighted the significant role of youth engagement and innovation in tackling road safety challenges. He emphasised the importance of involving young minds in creating impactful solutions that foster a sense of ownership and accountability for societal well-being. Acknowledging the immense potential demonstrated by the participants, he urged students to engage with various road safety activities available on the Mera Yuva Bharat Portal, such as taking road safety pledges, participating in quizzes, and creating slogans or posters.
Addressing the audience, Mr Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, reaffirmed that safety is an intrinsic value embedded in Toyota’s philosophy. He expressed pride in witnessing the passion, creativity, and technical skills displayed by the students during the event. According to him, the solutions proposed by the participants are not only innovative but also capable of contributing to long-term societal benefits by shaping a safer future. TKM remains committed to supporting these young innovators as they progress from conceptual ideas to practical implementation.
The Toyota Hackathon is a significant element of TKM’s CSR initiatives, complementing the Toyota Safety Education Programme (TSEP), which has reached over 800,000 students since its launch in 2007. Through initiatives like the Toyota Hackathon 2025, TKM aims to empower the youth to promote road safety through education, innovation, and collaboration. This platform nurtures creativity and responsibility while encouraging the next generation to champion safer roads and a more secure future for all.
