Rajat Basu

Rajat Basu is currently the Chief Engineer for the Cruise Origin project at Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors focused on autonomous vehicle technology. In this role, he leads engineering efforts related to the development of the Cruise Origin, a purpose-built autonomous vehicle designed for ride-hailing and delivery services. His work involves overseeing the integration of advanced technologies and ensuring that the vehicle meets safety and performance standards.2

Educational Background

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering: Specialization in Powertrain Engineering and Thermal-Fluid Systems from Michigan State University.
• B.E. in Mechanical Engineering: From Savitribai Phule Pune University.

Professional Experience

Before joining Cruise, Rajat held several significant positions:

• Chief Engineer for Advanced Technology Programs at Ricardo: He led engineering projects focusing on innovative automotive technologies from March 2017 to February 2019.
• Project Leader at Ricardo Innovations: Managed advanced engineering projects related to automotive powertrains and alternative fuel technologies from November 2015 to March 2017.
• Senior Project Engineer at Caterpillar Inc.: Worked on powertrain development from October 2008 to October 2012, where he focused on engine performance and emissions development.1

Key Contributions

Rajat has been instrumental in the development of custom silicon chips for the Cruise Origin, which enhance processing capabilities while reducing costs and power consumption. His leadership in engineering has been recognized through various awards, including the Ricardo CEO Award for outstanding technical projects.2

Rajat Basu's expertise lies in intelligent transportation systems, clean energy solutions, and advanced powertrain technologies, making him a pivotal figure in the evolution of autonomous vehicles at Cruise.