Delhi, 23 January 2025: As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering road safety innovation and celebrating ‘Road Safety Month’ (January 18 – February 17, 2025), Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) proudly announced the successful conclusion of the 24-hour Toyota Hackathon at GL Bajaj Institute, Greater Noida, Delhi. The event, graced by Chief GuestMrAshok 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 TKM’s senior leadership, including Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance, provided an engaging platform for young innovators to develop practical and implementable solutions to critical road safety challenges.
The two-day hackathon was further enriched by expert mentorship from faculty at GL Bajaj Institute and Delhi Technology University. These mentors guided participants in refining their ideas and transforming them into actionable solutions, underscoring Toyota’s commitment to nurturing future changemakers.
Education and Road Safety are core pillars of TKM’s CSR initiatives. The Toyota Hackathon is a flagship component of its broader Road Safety Initiative, aimed at achieving zero traffic fatalities through a comprehensive safety framework. This reflects Toyota’s holistic philosophy of prioritizing safety—not only through secure vehicle manufacturing but also by fostering awareness and driving behavioural change within communities.The hackathon addressed key themes such as Road Safety Awareness and Education, School Zone Safety, Traffic Management, and IoT Integration in Road Safety. The goal was to encourage digital and policy-driven solutions that can significantly reduce accidents and save lives.
India records the highest number of annual road crash fatalities globally. Each year, the country witnesses over 1,50,000fatalities due to road accidents, with road traffic injuries being the leading cause of death for people aged 5-29 years.Recognizing this crisis, TKM launched the Toyota Hackathon in 2018 to integrate road safety into school and college curriculums. By encouraging students to become critical thinkers and solution developers, the initiative empowers young minds to address contemporary road safety challenges.This platform not only unlocks the potential of young innovators but also develops them into ‘Change Agents’—pioneering positive behavioural shifts in their communities and making meaningful contributions to road safety.
The Delhi leg of the Toyota Hackathon 2025 saw participation from over 400 students across grades 9 to 11, representing nearly 100 schools. Participants followed a structured five-phase journey:
- Team Selection & Idea Submission
- Boot Camp Shortlisting
- Final 24-Hour Hackathon
- Incubation Support for City Winners
Out of 100 initial teams, 31 advanced to post-boot camp, 10 teams competed in the final hackathon, out of which 3 emerged as winners. These winning teams will receive ongoing incubation support to bring their solutions to fruition.
Following the successful event in Delhi, the Toyota Hackathon 2025 will continue in Mumbai on January 29 and Bangalore on February 14. For the 2024-25 academic year, TKM plans to expand the initiative to 300 institutions across these cities, with over 400 innovative concepts already submitted. Nearly 75 teams are expected to present functional prototypes, with top teams receiving incubation support.This initiative not only amplifies Toyota’s vision for a safer future but also inspires the next generation to leverage their knowledge and creativity in addressing critical societal challenges.
Present at the occasion,Mr Ashok Kumar IPS, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Greater Noida UP said, “The Toyota Hackathon is more than a competition—it is a movement towards creating a culture of safety and responsibility among young minds. Engaging students at this formative stage is key to instilling values of innovation and accountability. The ingenuity displayed here today is a testament to what our youth can achieve when given the right platform and support. I commend Toyota Kirloskar Motor for spearheading this impactful initiative and look forward to seeing these ideas transform into tangible solutions that benefit our communities.”
Sharing his thoughts, Guest of Honour Mr RR Meena Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India said, “The Toyota Hackathon is an example of how innovation and youth engagement can come together to address critical challenges like road safety. Involving young minds in this dialogue at such an early stage not only nurtures their creativity but also instils a sense of ownership and accountability toward societal well-being. Through this initiative, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has demonstrated the transformative power of collaboration, mentorship, and innovation. The solutions presented today showcase the immense potential of the students to think beyond the conventional, creating impactful ideas that can lead to lasting change. It is inspiring to see the commitment and passion displayed by these young innovators, and I am confident that their efforts will contribute significantly to building safer and more secure communities for generations to come. Government of India is doing lot of activities in creating road safety awareness. Today, I would also like to urge the students to login to Mera Yuva Bharat Portal and take part in various road safety activities such as road safety pledge, quiz, slogan, poster making etc.”
Speaking at the event, Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, safety is not just an attribute of our vehicles—it is a fundamental value embedded in our philosophy. The Toyota Hackathon exemplifies our dedication to empowering the youth to address pressing challenges like road safety. The passion, creativity, and technical acumen demonstrated by these students have been truly inspiring. Their solutions go beyond immediate impact, shaping a sustainable future with safer roads for all. We are proud to support their journey from innovative concepts to real-world implementation, furthering our vision for a safer and more responsible society.”
The Toyota Hackathon is a key component of TKM’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, complementing the Toyota Safety Education Programme (TSEP), which has reached over 800,000 students since 2007. These initiatives empower youth to drive road safety through education, innovation, and collaboration.By fostering creativity and social responsibility, the Toyota Hackathon 2025 reinforces TKM’s leadership in sustainable mobility and road safety. Each milestone inspires the next generation to champion safer roads and build a secure future for all.
