Pranav Dandekar (44) faced a chorus of advice from his friends to forgo his ambitious plan of building an electric micro-car in favour of a more practical two-wheeler or three-wheeler. They argued that these electronic vehicle alternatives were more popular, easier to build, and better suited to the current market demands.
Yet, Pranav stood his ground, resolute in his pursuit despite the extensive regulations for EV cars in India, including the need for a new driving license and endless trials.
“People often think that developing new EVs should be straightforward, but it almost never works out perfectly on the first try,” explains Pranav, who previously worked as a software engineer at Amazon. He insists that an engineer’s approach is crucial, considering factors such as the vehicle’s weight, durability, and how effectively it can be assembled.
For Pranav, the joy is found in the ongoing journey and the multiple iterations along the way.
While lounging in their Indore courtyard, his father arranged two armchairs in a row and said, “This is exactly how compact I want the car to be.” Prakash Dandekar’s idea was for a vehicle akin to an 1800s buggy — simple and snug, perfect for enjoying a leisurely ride with the wind in your face. Pranav, however, had a different idea. He preferred a sturdier car suited for long distances. “I knew it would be a tough project, so I tried to talk him out of it,” Prakash laughs.
This led to the creation of ‘Robin’, their first electric micro-car — a two-seater EV that Pranav and Prakash claim will be as agile as a motorbike. The vehicle is set to be launched next year by Wings EV, their startup based in Indore.
“People often think that developing new EVs should be straightforward, but it almost never works out perfectly on the first try,” explains Pranav.
With 46 years of experience in electrical engineering, Prakash had long been enthusiastic about creating an EV. “We used to joke that we wanted to create an electric vehicle designed entirely by electrical engineers, given that most EV companies in India design their vehicles through mechanical and automotive engineers,” he recalls.
The father-son team has now successfully turned that idea into a reality.
During a visit to his son in the US, where Pranav had been based for 17 years, Prakash and Pranav discussed how EVs could be adopted in India. They debated whether to retrofit existing vehicles with electric motors or design entirely new ones.
To explore this, they purchased a tricycle from Walmart and transformed it into an electric model with a hub motor, battery, and microcontroller that allowed the rider to speak while in motion. Prakash thought this electric tricycle would be ideal for navigating India’s crowded streets instead of using a bulky car. “We joked that with a roof, our tricycle would be like an auto rickshaw,” Pranav chuckles. However, Pranav felt a four-wheeler electric car might be a more exciting option.
In the early stages, Pranav and Prakash experimented by drawing rectangles of different sizes on the floor to find the ideal dimensions for their car. Robin started as a simple prototype — a two-seater with four wheels and no body — for which Prakash created a software program.
They then had different drivers test the vehicle, having them drive in circles to confirm the vehicle’s viability. The prototype eventually passed the rigorous tests of the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), and Prakash beamed with pride as the car’s impressive performance caught the examiners off guard.
‘Robin’, the father-son duo’s first electric micro-car, is a two-seater EV, designed to be as agile as a motorbike.
When Pranav and Prakash started their car design process in 2018, they used cardboard cutouts to build a rough prototype and invited people to test it. They asked for feedback on how it felt, what features they expected, and any concerns they had. This input was instrumental in shaping the final design. Over the next five years, they conducted numerous surveys with professionals in various cities to identify their target audience.
Pranav believes their approach sets them apart from traditional car companies who typically view vehicles as either two-wheelers or four-wheelers. “For users, the priority is efficient and quick transportation, not vehicle type,” he says.
As they worked on Robin, Pranav prioritised designing it with the footprint of a two-wheeler. “Dad and I insisted that if we could keep it within the size of a motorbike, it would be versatile enough to access any area where motorbikes are allowed and parked,” Pranav notes. “This focus on size made Robin highly useful but also very challenging to build.”
“Robin is approximately half the size of the Tata Nano, which many Indians already viewed as quite small,” Prakash says. Despite the car’s small dimensions, the father-son duo successfully incorporated all essential features, including seat belts, steering, brakes, headlamps, tail lamps, and even an air conditioning system. Prakash adds that the AC was added specifically for customer comfort, even though it’s unusual to find such an amenity in a car as small as Robin.
The father-son team now offers test drives in six cities, and while people are initially enthusiastic, they also have reservations about electric cars. “Their concerns fade away as soon as they begin driving,” Prakash shares. They based the car’s design on Prakash’s size — he is over 6 feet tall and weighs 110 kg. “If Dad is comfortable, then anyone should be too,” Pranav believes.
“For users, the priority is efficient and quick transportation, not vehicle type,” Pranav says.
In their surveys, Pranav and Prakash found that many participants either didn’t know how to drive or had stopped driving. Some were concerned that Robin might feel too cramped or unstable. “Yet, within five minutes of driving, most users quickly adjusted and felt very comfortable,” Pranav shares. The car’s automatic features eliminate the need for clutches, and the ability to sit right in the middle of the car offers users clear visibility in all three directions, helping them feel more secure.
Those who usually steer clear of large vehicles on narrow streets found Robin’s size perfect for better control and safety. “Users felt it was like riding a motorbike but much safer,” Pranav explains.
‘Our goal was to create a personal mobility vehicle’
Prakash, an avid driver, often found himself alone in his car. “Driving my Wagon R, it annoyed me that, despite it being a five-seater, it was always just me in the car. I couldn’t ignore the emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide; it felt almost criminal,” he reminisces. He believed that a smaller car would utilise resources better.
As the former head of Computer Systems at Tata Motors, Prakash often discussed smaller electric cars but faced scepticism from peers who felt such vehicles would require too many resources and wouldn’t sell. “Automakers typically aren’t interested in making smaller cars,” Prakash notes. Most cars on the market cater to families of four or five, leaving a niche for compact vehicles like Robin, ideal for solo or duo use, such as grocery shopping or picking up a child from school.
“Our goal was to create a personal mobility vehicle,” Pranav explains, noting that they deliberately chose not to design a family car. Prakash, drawing from his experience at Tata Motors, learned that smaller, more affordable family cars often didn’t succeed in the market. “I saw how poorly the Tata Nano performed,” he recalls. Instead, Prakash views Robin not as a compact family car, but as an enhanced alternative to a two-wheeler. “Though it’s a two-seater, it’s really designed for a single person to navigate the city efficiently and conveniently,” Pranav adds.
“Most daily commuters travel just tens of kilometres, not hundreds, so a smaller, compact car would be much more practical for them,” Prakash explains. He notes that while many offices struggle with limited parking for four-wheelers, there is usually ample room for two-wheelers. “Our aim is to provide the comfort of a four-wheeler while allowing users to park in two-wheeler spaces,” he adds. The cost of driving a typical four-wheeler is around Rs 10-12 per kilometre, but with Robin, it drops to just Rs 1 to 2 per kilometre.
Robin is especially suited for older people and women who may not feel confident on two-wheelers. Prakash shares that in test drives conducted across the country, “almost every woman has reported feeling both liberated and excited.” This is because the car allows them to travel independently without needing the assistance of husbands or drivers, he explains.
Dinesh Keerthy, who took Robin for a test drive earlier this year, has been wishing for a vehicle like it. “Robin is as small as my Royal Enfield bike, which is perfect for handling Bangalore’s traffic. Its sleek and stylish design is an added bonus,” he remarks.
Praveen Vadavi, an enthusiastic biker and automotive engineer, agrees with Dinesh, labelling Robin as the “need of the hour” for metropolitan areas thanks to its comfort and speed.
Srikanth, who drives a Tata Nexon EV — regarded as one of India’s top electric vehicles — is considering Robin for his wife. “It’s on par with Nexon EV and is ideal for families looking to ensure their child’s safety,” he explains.
Bargava Subramanian was left stunned after getting behind the wheel of the two-seater electric car. “Robin stands out and is surely creating a new category in the Indian market,” he remarks. “This car will redefine our concept of mobility.”
Robin is specially designed for people who may not feel confident on two-wheelers.
Creating an electric vehicle from scratch
Two-seater cars haven’t gained traction in India as they have in Europe or China. Pranav explains that historically, India’s lower economic status meant that buyers preferred cars with four seats, viewing them as more legitimate. There have also been concerns about battery range and charging facilities. Yet, with the advancement of electric vehicle technology, including high-quality motors and sensors, consumer confidence in EVs is growing.
Constructing an electric vehicle from scratch was no small feat. “The hardest challenge was finding manufacturers who could create parts for an electric car like ours,” Prakash reveals. A notable example is Robin’s central steering wheel, which contrasts with the conventional left or right placement found in most cars.
Prakash, who manages all mechanical and electrical functions of the car, has equipped it with a drive-by-wire powertrain — a technology similar to fly-by-wire systems used in modern aircraft. Through this setup, driver inputs are relayed to a computer, which then communicates with the car’s motor controller.
Because Robin couldn’t accommodate a conventional differential gear, its rear wheels are equipped with hub motors — a feature commonly used in scooters and small vehicles. Prakash tackled the challenge of speed regulation during turns using electronic differential technology and ensured its safety by having race car drivers push the vehicle to its limits in testing.
Prakash views Robin not as a compact family car, but as an enhanced alternative to a two-wheeler.
Locating compact headlamps, which are approved for two-wheelers but not typically for four-wheelers, was also a challenge. The real challenge, however, was creating a battery system that users could manage on their own, as importing a battery system from another country was not feasible due to possible repair issues.
“None of the companies were willing to build a battery management system for us,” Prakash shares. “They told us that without a significant order, they couldn’t accommodate our needs.” This situation prompted the duo to become their own battery manufacturers.
Building a complete vehicle diagnostic framework
Furthermore, they have created an advanced computer network that continually transfers and stores all vehicle data on the cloud. This network monitors aspects, such as motor temperature and GPS coordinates, along with a comprehensive diagnostic system that offers real-time insights into the health of each vehicle.
The diagnostic system allows them to pinpoint problems in any car effectively. “Think of it as having a person connected to an ECG and heart rate monitor all the time,” Pranav describes. The system gathers real-time data, processes it through an AI model, and detects anomalies like an overheated battery. “Such data analysis provides a clearer picture of vehicle health than any driver’s subjective input,” notes Prakash.
What happens if something goes wrong with the car? Can an ordinary mechanic fix it? “Most likely, a regular mechanic would make things worse,” Pranav explains. Robin features unique parts that aren’t easily repairable or replaceable with conventional tools. Its essential elements — sensors, software, batteries, and motors — are specialised and not typically known to average mechanics. “Our diagnostic system addresses this by detecting issues early and allowing us to perform predictive maintenance or updates before the user even notices a problem,” Prakash notes.
Robin will come equipped with an app designed to keep users informed about their car’s health and maintenance. This app will deliver real-time updates on vehicle performance and offer tips for better use. The duo is also planning to set up mobile after-sales service units in multiple cities to perform inspections following the car’s launch. With vehicle data stored in the cloud, technicians will have a head start in diagnosing issues, making the service process more efficient and less reliant on troubleshooting.
“Robin has successfully passed ARAI Pune’s safety tests, so it’s safer than current two or three-wheelers,” states Pranav. “We’re aiming to sell 3,000 units in the first year, even though our Indore plant can produce 10,000 units each year.”
Its lineup includes three variants — a basic version with no AC and a 65 km range priced at Rs 2 lakh; a mid-range option with a fan and a 90 km range for Rs 2.5 lakh; and a premium version offering a 90 km range, AC, and patented audio alerts for enhanced safety at Rs 3 lakh.
“It’s satisfying to see that our efforts have resulted in something that people truly want and appreciate,” Pranav says.
Pranav and Prakash are actively conducting test drives nationwide to expand their reach. According to Pranav, there’s no need for aggressive marketing, because “the utility of Robin becomes clear to people as soon as they see its photos and videos.”
“Creating an entirely new category of vehicle isn’t something you get to do every day,” Pranav remarks. “If Robin successfully merges the advantages of both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, it would be a pretty neat contribution to make. I also hope it encourages others to build innovative vehicles of their own.”
“We’ve put our heads down and worked at this for over five years. It’s satisfying to see that our efforts have resulted in something that people truly want and appreciate,” he adds.
Edited by Pranita Bhat; Images Courtesy Pranav Dandekar
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