Reaffirming its commitment to education and road safety,Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced the successful culmination of its 24-hour Toyota Hackathon 2025 held at Vidyalankar Institute, Wadala (East), Mumbai. Coinciding with ‘Road Safety Month’ (January 18 – February 17, 2025), the event brought together over 400 talented students from 100+ schools across Mumbai, providing a platform to develop actionable solutions to critical road safety challenges.
The event was graced by the distinguished presence of Chief Guest Shri Atul Moreshwar Save, Hon’ble Minister for OBC Welfare, Dairy Development, and Renewable Energy, Government of Maharashtra, Guest of Honour Mr Arprit Save, President Chamber of Marathawada Industries and Agriculture and Senior leadership from TKM, including Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance, and Mr. Sudeep Dalvi, Chief Communication Officer, Senior Vice President & Head State Affairs.
India records the highest number of annual road crash fatalities globally. Each year, the country witnesses over 1,50,000 fatalities 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. The Toyota Hackathon, a key pillar of TKM’s comprehensive Road Safety Initiative, is designed to address this critical issue by integrating road safety education into school and college curriculums. By fostering critical thinking, innovation, and a sense of responsibility, the Hackathon empowers youth to become proactive solution developers and ‘Change Agents,’ driving positive behavioural shifts within their communities. Aligned with Toyota’s global vision of achieving zero traffic fatalities, the Hackathon emphasizes digital and policy-driven solutions that address pressing road safety concerns while delivering impactful strategies to reduce accidents and create safer roads.
Structured in five phases, the Hackathon journey began with team selection and idea submissions, progressed through a boot camp, culminated in a 24-hour final hackathon, and concluded with incubation support for the top one winner per city. Out of 100 initial teams, 28 advanced to post- boot camp, 10 teams completed in the final hackathon out of which 3 emerged as winners, earning continued support to bring their innovative ideas to life.
Participants tackled key road safety themes, including:
- Road Safety Awareness and Education
- Community Engagement for Safety
- School Zone Safety
- Road Infrastructure and Pollution
- IoT/ICT in Road Safety
- Traffic Easement
- Making Roads Inclusive
Following the success in Mumbai, the Toyota Hackathon 2025 will move to Bangalore on February 14. For the 2024-25 academic year, TKM aims to expand the initiative to 300 institutions across key cities, with over 400 innovative concepts already submitted. 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, Shri Atul Moreshwar Save, Hon’ble Minister for OBC Welfare, Dairy Development and Renewable Energy. Government of Maharashtra said, “The Toyota Hackathon 2025 is a remarkable initiative that truly embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration. By bringing together students from diverse backgrounds and encouraging them to tackle pressing road safety issues, Toyota is not only fostering technical skills but also cultivating a sense of social responsibility. These young participants are developing solutions that have the potential to make a lasting impact on our road safety landscape. It is heartening to see such commitment from Toyota in engaging with the youth and providing them with the necessary resources and guidance to turn their visionary ideas into practical, life-saving solutions. This initiative is a step forward in building a safer, smarter, and more inclusive future.”
Sharing his thoughts on the Hackathon, Mr Arprit Save, President Chamber of Marathawada Industries and Agriculture said, “The Toyota Hackathon 2025 is a transformative initiative that highlights the power of innovation and youth engagement in addressing one of the most critical challenges of our time—road safety. It is remarkable to see young minds from diverse backgrounds come together, supported by Toyota’s vision and resources, to develop practical, life-saving solutions that can drive real change in our communities. Toyota’s efforts to guide these young innovators, provide them with mentorship, and support the incubation of their ideas demonstrate an exemplary commitment to nurturing the changemakers of tomorrow. Initiatives like these go beyond traditional corporate social responsibility—they create a ripple effect that inspires individuals, organizations, and communities to prioritize safety, collaboration, and sustainability. I sincerely applaud TKM for their relentless dedication to making roads safer and mobility smarter.”
Speaking at the event, Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we are driven by the belief that empowering the younger generation with the right tools, mentorship, and opportunities can lead to transformative change. The Toyota Hackathon 2025 serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to road safety and innovation, as it brings together young minds to ideate, collaborate, and develop solutions for safer roads. This initiative reflects our holistic approach to fostering a culture of safety and sustainability, aligning with Toyota’s global vision of zero traffic fatalities. We are proud to see these young innovators stepping up as ‘Change Agents,’ turning challenges into opportunities for creating a safer, smarter, and more inclusive mobility ecosystem for the future.”
Speaking at the occasion, Mr Sudeep Dalvi, Chief Communication Officer, Senior Vice President & Head State Affairs said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we believe road safety is a shared responsibility that extends beyond automotive innovation. It’s about fostering awareness, accountability, and proactive behaviour across communities. The Toyota Hackathon 2025 exemplifies this vision, showcasing the creativity and expertise of India’s youth as they develop real-world solutions to road safety challenges. By empowering young minds today, we are nurturing the changemakers of tomorrow who will drive sustainable mobility and safer roads for all. We are proud to support these brilliant innovators and remain committed to guiding them as they transform their ideas into reality.”
The Toyota Hackathon 2025 underscores TKM’s commitment to advancing road safety and sustainable mobility in India. As a flagship CSR initiative, it complements the Toyota Safety Education Programme (TSEP), which has impacted over 800,000 students since 2007. By empowering young innovators to transform ideas into impactful solutions, the hackathon fosters creativity, collaboration, and social responsibility. Through education and innovation, TKM continues to inspire the next generation to champion safer roads and build a secure, inclusive future for all.