At Long Last ?

Thanks ISRO

For acceding my repeated requests to licence your technology for Lithium-ion Battery to interested firms

This is what Times of India reported recently :

137 companies eye Isro's e-vehicle battery technology   [  July  18  2018  ]

I find that , for transferring this technology to potential firms , ISRO has stipulated :

#  Companies to submit their application with Rs 4 lakh as Security Deposit

#  There will be a 3 stage “ Evaluation Process “

#  A high level Committee will scrutinize genuine contenders

#  Deposit will be refunded to companies not selected / backing out

#  Shortlisted companies to pay Rs 1 crore as one-time fee for technology transfer

Batteries will be 50 Ah and 100 Ah capacity

Whereas no one can fault this elaborate / transparent evaluation process , it is of utmost importance to keep in mind the following :

#    TESLA Model 3 ( selling for $ 35,000 ) is rumoured to have a 50 Kwh battery

#    At $ 190 / Kwh , it might cost , $ 9,500 ( $ 195*50kwh ) ( Rs 6.65 Lakh )

#   This battery is produced in TESLA’s GigaFactory ( 35 Gwh ) costing $ 5 billion

#   In India , Adani / Reliance / JSW / M&M / Suzuki etc are planning to put up Li-ion Battery plant ( Reliance plant with 25Gwh  capacity estimated to cost $ 3.5 Billion )

Questions :

#  What is ISRO’s estimate of the manufacturing cost of its 50 – 100 Ah batteries ?

#  When installed in an E Car , what would such a locally designed / manufactured battery cost as a percentage of selling price of those e cars ?

     In currently available e-cars ( M&M / TATA ), this cost ( but of fully imported batteries ) , is approx. 50 %  of its selling price

     Can this ( locally manufactured battery ) cost , be brought down to ( say ) , Rs 2 lakhs , ( from current import cost of Rs 5 lakhs ), thereby bringing down the ( On Road ) Selling Price of e20 ( M&M ) / TIGOR ( TATA ) e-cars , to below Rs 7 lakhs ( from current Rs 10 lakhs ) ?  It is most important to ensure ZERO % GST on locally manufactured batteries

#   If E Car selling prices drop from Rs 10 lakhs to Rs 7 lakhs , then there will be no need for extending any SUBSIDY , either to the car manufacturers or to the car buyers

     No one will want to buy a Petrol / Diesel car ( costing Rs 10 lakhs ) anymore !

#   If ISRO designed battery is capable of charging from a 220 V domestic outlet at night ( as in case of NISSAN Lyf ) – and give a range of 130 km / charge – then , will that not eliminate the need for road-side Battery Charging Stations ?

 

     No “ range anxiety “ coupled with “ cheaper to buy / operate than a petrol car “ will ensure rapid adoption of e cars  !

#  In May 2017 , ISRO also demonstrated a converted ONMI van with Solar Panelled Roof, capable of charging a small Lithium-ion Battery ,as long as the car roof is exposed to sun light

     What is holding back “ bundling “ this technology – transfer,  along with the technology for the Lithium-ion Battery ?

     If “ bundled “ , that would enable India to :

     *  leapfrog rest of the World and fully switch over to E Cars by 2025

     *  dramatically cut down on air pollution

     *  save millions of lives

     *  generate millions of new jobs 

For comprehensive suggestions on ,

“ Desired Policy in respect of Electric Cars “ , refer to :

Auto Industry : Policy Inputs  [  27  Dec  2017  ]

23  July  2018

www.hemenparekh.in / blogs

    

      

MA = DA x 4,000,000 ?

MA  =  Mukesh Ambani

And you guessed it right . DA stands for Dhirubhai Ambani

Here is why

In 1990 , Dhirubhai was Chairman of L&T , I was GM ( Planning / Export ) at L&T

In Feb 1990 , I went to meet Dhirubhai in his office at Maker Chamber IV and said ,

“ Sir , I have resigned from L&T after serving for 30 + years “

I thought he would try to dissuade me from leaving a great company like L&T (which, L&T continues to be )

Instead , he said :

Well done  !

Despite being son of a Bania, how did you suffer to serve someone else for 30 years ?

Do some dhandha ( business ) of your own . Start a factory

Then he went on :

I will supply you with Plastic Processing machinery .

My Hazira factory will deliver plastic raw materials to you and trucks from my Patalganga factory will pick up the processed goods from your factory 

This way , you don’t have to worry about ( purchase ) of raw materials , nor worry about ( sale ) of your finished products

And you will need very little ( working capital )

All you have to do is to manage workers ( human resources ) and ensure daily ( production )

In 1990, Dhirubhai had time to motivate a professional like me to become self employed

In 2018 , Mukesh Ambani does not have to motivate 4 MILLION “ Kirana Store “ owners to become self employed

They are already self employed !

He is trying to motivate them to join Reliance Eco System

So , in last AGM of Reliance , he told them :

If you join Reliance Eco System , here is what I will do for you :

=================

SALES :

All of your merchandize will be available for selection / ordering on our ONLINE web portal 

This online presence of your merchandize will expand / extend your " reach " to thousands of consumers in your neighbourhood

You will need to only focus on OFFLINE ( across-the-counter ) sales to consumers who walk into your store

For OFFLINE sales , we will install in your stores , all the necessary Computers / POS terminals / Routers / Internet Connections / Mobile Wallet Payment systems and an end-to-end , RETAIL MANAGEMENT software 

All of your OFFLINE sales data will get transferred to our Central Server

===================

SUPPLY  :

We will deliver to your store , all merchandize on " Consignment " basis

This means , you do NOT need to pay us for what we deliver to you store !

Till sold , all goods in your store will be our " stock "

This way , you do NOT need any " Working Capital " as far as your stocks are concerned 

We will also tie-up with the manufacturers

You don't need to have any interaction / dealing with the manufacturers

===================

INVENTORY  :

On a continuous basis , our web server will keep a track of each and every item of merchandize sold from your stores

Our Server will calculate , your " Stock Movement " 

Based on this data , our Server will compute / set for each item :

#   Minimum Stock Level

#   Alarm Stock Level

#   Stock Re-Order Level

#   Re-Order Quantity ( Minimum Batch Size ) 

Based on this logic , our Server will instruct the relevant " Merchandize Manufacturers " ( or their dealers / stockists ) , to deliver the stipulated " Re-Order Quantities " to your stores

A " Re-Order Instruction intimation " , will get delivered to your computer

Upon arrival , you will need to update the data

From time to time , our Software will also figure out your current stocks of " Extremely Slow Moving " and " Obsolete / Expired " items , and arrange for " Return Delivery " , which you will need to enter in your database

===================

DELIVERY  :

Not only we will deliver the merchandize to your store , but we will also pick up " Ordered Items " ( for ONLINE orders only ) , from your store and deliver the same to your customers  !

Initially we will employ manual " Delivery Persons " for this but , before long , we will deploy a fleet of autonomous DRONES for this purpose 

This fleet will cover " Kirana Stores " and " Online Customers " , located in pre-designated areas , covering 4 sq km ( 2 km x 2 km )

We are in talk with www.What3Words.com , to enable precise delivery through your 10th floor window  !

These drones will get their " Delivery Instructions " directly from our Web Server , for all ONLINE orders

When these drones arrive at your Store to pick up the items ( to be delivered ) , they will transfer ( Blue Tooth / NFC ) and display on your Computer screen , following data :

#  Online Order Number / time / date

#  Items covered with description / value of each

#  Customer Name / Address 

#  Mode of Online Payment / Bank Details 

#  Your online account CREDIT details , giving,

     ( Sales Value ) - ( Purchase Price )  

    " Purchase Price " of goods in your stock will be

     based on FIFO method

========================

FINANCE  :

As explained earlier , you will have a bare minimum need for " Working Capital " , since all of your stock will be on " Consignment " basis

We will collect the " ONLINE  PAYMENTS " directly from the customers and " Credit " the same to your " online sales account " with us

Against same account , we will " Debit " the " purchase price " ( price at which you purchase the merchandize from Reliance ) of the goods sold

Our server will also take care of all GST payments and filing of GST returns

As far as OFFLINE sales is concerned , all the data captured through POS terminal will get transferred to our Central Server


=====================

MARKETING  :

Not only will we carry out all marketing for your ONLINE sales , we will help you with your OFFLINE marketing , through introduction of the following technology-enhanced features :

#   Arranging a better display of merchandize on your shelves / re-arranging of shelves


#  Introducing Augmented Reality ( AR ) for clothes / fashion goods in " Trial Rooms " for giving the customers , an experience of " touch - feel - looks "

#   Introducing Robots to answer customer inquiries

#   Eliminating " Check Out Counters " , based on " Payments through Bio-metric Recognition " of customers

#   Embedding RFID sensors in each item of merchandize and RFID readers embedded in Shopping Carts

#   Improving your window display thru rotation

#   Introducing music

#  Eventually replacing " Physical " merchandize with " Holographic Display " of merchandize on your store shelves !

====================



Our 7500 Reliance Retail stores witnessed 35 crore footfalls last year


When all of the 4 million kirana stores join us , we expect this number to go up by more than 500 times !


And I am not restricting my invitation to the " existing " stores only


Reliance has plans to take on lease , thousands of premises and offer the same to " unemployed graduates ( preferably , tech savvy )" to set up such retail shops 


Without need for " fixed " or " working " capital , we hope to be able to attract many to become our franchisees  

Jai Hind !

============================

I have no doubt Shri Dhirubhai is proud and happy - wherver he is 


===============

18  July  2018

www.hemenparekh.in / blogs   

===================================

Added on 10 March 2020 :

Amazon launches business selling automated checkout to retailers

-----------------------------------------

Added on 16 June 2022 ;

Amazon India’s next bet to be more local stores, social commerce to onboard 500 million users

Extract :

Last month, Amazon launched Smart Commerce, an initiative that will help offline stores set up their own digital storefronts, in addition to selling on its India marketplace. 

This is similar to what Canada-based Shopify does. 

Amazon will enable these stores to sell on its marketplace and other platforms.

The Seattle-headquartered etailer said it was now looking to onboard more physical stores on its India platform to increase the number of goods that can be delivered quickly to customers. 

Tiwary said Amazon could deliver within two days in 93% of the pin codes it is present in India.

“I strongly believe that to get to the next 500 million customers, we need a couple of million more sellers on this marketplace. And this set of new sellers will largely be physical stores,” he said.

Last month, Amazon launched Smart Commerce, an initiative that will help offline stores set up their own digital storefronts, in addition to selling on its India marketplace.

“If someone finds a sustainable way of delivering groceries in 10 minutes, we will learn from them,” he said
===================================================================

Added on 21 Dec 2023 :

FMCG companies use tech to fill up stocks at Q-Comm partners   ......... ET  /  21 Dec 2023

FMCG giants such as Nestle, ITC, Parle Products, LT Foods, and Coca-Cola are adopting real-time data exchange and demand forecasting to prevent stock-outs at quick-commerce (Q-comm) platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, BBNow, and Zepto.

Solar Chulha : Where can I buy ?

On 3^rd Nov 2017 , ONGC came out with a half page advt , inviting public to :

“………come up with innovative ideas to design and develop “ Solar Chula “

[ See original Advt at :

https://www.sarkariyojna.co.in/solar-chulha-online-applications-registrations-startup-ongc-co/ ]

Not finding in that advt or on ONGC web site , any “ Specifications “ for that chulha , I sent following email to ONGC [  cmd@ongc.co.in  ]

Solar  Chula  ?  Some  Unanswered  Questions [  03 Nov  2017  ]

Extract of my Email :

    Nowhere on the web site , there are any SPECIFICATIONS , against which ONGC will

    carry out those “ Performance Tests “ to decide “ Successful Demonstration “

In total absence of any SPECIFICATIONS , will this ( ONGC ) expensive / time – effort consuming exercise boil down to , “ It is MY word against YOURs “ ?

 

 

 Hence , the SPECIFICATIONS  for Solar Chulhas would need to be :

 

 

      #  Chulha should be capable of cooking a meal for 4 persons ( will need to sharply

         define “ MEAL “ ) , in 30 minutes , solely drawing its power from a SOLAR POWER

         STORAGE device , which collects / stores solar power , from solar panels mounted

         on the terrace / roof top .

 

 

         Solar Storage Device should have adequate storage capacity for cooking 2 meals

         before needing re-charge and should be capable of being re-charged from

         standard 210 V / 5 Amp domestic electric outlet

 

 

     #  Chulha should be of XYZ dimensions , for easy accommodation inside a kitchen

 

 

     #  Chulha should not cost more than Rs 10,000 / - to manufacture ( which would be

         excluding the cost of SOLAR POWER STORAGE device )

 

 

     #  ONGC will not have any IPR ( Intellectual Property Right ) for the winning designs

        , which will vest in the INNOVATOR .

 

         However , the innovator would be required to license any party / person for the

         manufacture , without any licence fee / royalty

Apparently , my email did have some effect , since ONGC , later on , came out with the following “ performance features “ on its website :

1.    The broad performance features expected from Solar Chula among other things

include :

i.                Solar Chulha should work on solar energy ( solar thermal or PV ) or any other

          renewable energy as source of energy which can be easily accessed or made

          available in any house hold kitchen.

ii.            It should be possible to keep the chulha all time inside the kitchen for cooking

        purposes ( including frying, baking and chapati making ), similar to traditional

        commercially available cook stoves which work on LPG or other fuels.

iii.        It should be possible to use the Solar chulha on need basis any time during the

Day / night ( 24X7 ) basis.

iv.        It should be suitable for built up of materials which are easily available and can be

    disposed safely and can be mass produced with economies of scale.

v.        It can be used independently or in conjunction with the grid, as the case may be.

vi.        The solar chulha must meet safety requirements for use in any house hold.

vii.        It should be able to provide sufficient meals for a family of five. 

During the night time

    it will work on stored energy with energy storage, having a life of around 2500 cycles.

2.    The estimated cost of the solar chulha along with the energy source preferably

     not exceed Rs. 10,000/- per unit. ( For a volume of few lac units ).

[ Source :

https://startup.ongc.co.in/wps/wcm/connect/ongcstartup/apply_now/solar_chulha_challenge#main-content  ]

Congratulations to :

#  Winner of 1^st Prize  >  SoULS team of IIT – Bombay

    [ chetanss@iitb.ac.in  /  ncnsolar@gmail.com  /  jay.venkateswaran@gmail.com  /

     sudesh@iitb.ac.in ]

#  Winner of 2^nd Prize  >  BMS College of Engineering ( Bangalore )

    ( registrar@bmsce.ac.in  )

#   Winner of 3^rd Prize  >  National Institute of Technology – Kurukshetra

 

     ( registrar@nitkkr.ac.in  )

Dear ,

Shri Dharmendra Pradhanji  (  min.png@nic.in / d.pradhan@sansad.nic.in )

Shri Shashi Shankerji – CMD - ONGC  ( cmd@ongc.co.in  )

At the outset , hearty congratulations on this initiative having a revolutionary potential

This solar chulha is the answer to save the lives of millions of women in rural India

It is possible that private sector industries may not think of getting into the manufacture / distribution of this product , since it may not be adequately profitable

But , if government can give subsidies for Electric cars ( FAME ) and Electricity connections to villages ( SAUBHGYA ) , then why not for Solar Chulhas ?

Would that not be far better than giving subsidy for LPG ?

And , for PNG – Bio Fuels , as suggested by NITI Aayog ?

Of course , the opposition will cry : You are trying to bribe village women for 2019 !

Please ignore them

They don’t have to worry about crude oil price crossing $ 100 / barrel !

17  July  2018

www.hemenparekh.in / blogs