Indian engineer explores opportunities as city's sustainable footprint expands

Siddharth Suhas Pawar, a mechanical engineer at Pix Moving, designs a product on his computer. CHINA DAILY

It has been four years since Siddharth Suhas Pawar stumbled upon a job at a local artificial intelligence company in Guiyang after moving to the city.

After graduating from the University of Michigan with a master's degree in aerospace structures engineering in 2018, Pawar began looking for jobs in the aerospace and automotive industries in various countries and regions including China, Russia, Europe and India.

This 30-year-old Indian didn't know who would extend him an offer until he received an instant reply from Pix Moving, a high-tech business engaged in modular smart car development in Guiyang.

Having an interview with the founder of Pix Moving, Pawar passed the entry test and was asked to work on a generative design project. Thereafter, the engineering graduate began his career in Guiyang.

"I decided to stay because I like this place and have made many family-like friends here.

"I've been in Guiyang for four years now, pursuing my engineering dream in a rising automotive industry, as well as my Chinese dream," Pawar said.

Pawar works as a mechanical engineer at Pix Moving. "My roles have been changing over the course of four years," he said.

Over the past four years, Pawar has engaged in the company's generative design and a low-cost metal 3D printing technique known as Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing. Using AI design and WAAM, the engineer and his team have developed the world's first metal 3D-printed automotive chassis.

As part of the company's research and development team, Pawar is currently involved in developing new hardware and software technologies, including a patented 360-degree modular vehicle steering system, software for rapidly creating new chassis designs, and novel composite material manufacturing techniques designed to support the autonomous driving sector. These technologies can improve the safety, efficiency and performance of autonomous vehicles by providing better steering, chassis design and lightweight materials.

"Our manufacturing engineering is extremely tough, and employing novel manufacturing techniques with software engineering is one of our core strengths," Pawar said.

"I think autonomous driving technology has the potential to revolutionize the way people move around cities. This is something Pix Moving believes in. We have been reflecting on the essence of the city, and the human-space symbiosis.

"We view every self-driving vehicle as a moving space, and it is these unique moving spaces that will reshape the cities of the future. With 99 percent of commercial spaces today being stationary, the customers need to move around the city to reach them," he said.

With the vision of contributing to the city's innovation and sustainable development, Pix Moving is a representative business that is aligned with Guiyang's development concept.

Being highly praised for ecological development, Guiyang has made notable achievements in promoting sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint in recent years.

Local official data showed that the city's forest coverage rate has reached more than 55.3 percent, ranking third among the provincial capital cities in the country. In addition, the city has built 145,333-hectare green belt around the city and 1,025 parks.

Guiyang has promoted renewable energy and green transportation, investing in renewable energy sources such as hydropower, solar power and wind power. The city has introduced a comprehensive public transportation system that includes electric buses, subways and electric bikes. On top of this, new industries are emerging, such as big data and electric vehicles, which are beneficial to local economy and environmental efficiency.

Guiyang is set to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental protection, Pawar said.

In order to encourage a green lifestyle, Guiyang has implemented a waste sorting system, built green buildings and promoted green consumption.

"Guiyang has been promoting cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation. I think the city can continue to invest in infrastructure such as bike lanes, bike-sharing systems and other non-motorized transportation options," the engineer said.

As a resident in Guiyang, Pawar has adapted to and kept up with the city's green pace. The outdoor enthusiast often seeks out suitable places for leisure and sports. Moreover, he often drives his own electric car, traveling around the city and contributing to its green transportation initiatives.

One of Guiyang's strengths in attracting talent is its natural environment, Pawar said.

"Guiyang is known for its pleasant climate, clean air and scenic beauty, which can be attractive to people who are interested in working in the green industry," he added.

In January, Guiyang and its nearby Guian New Area issued a guideline on leveraging the green economy to promote high-quality economic and social development, highlighting green development and lifestyles and emphasizing higher-standard ecological construction and environmental protection to contribute to Guizhou's construction as a strong province in the next five years.

"I believe that Guiyang's talent environment and efforts to promote green industry investment are promising. The city has recognized the importance of developing a green economy and is taking steps to create a supportive environment for the industry," Pawar said.