Meet Bhavani Srinivasaiah, a pioneering woman in tech who is shaping the future of autonomous vehicles with her patented algorithms and innovative approach to vehicle safety. Learn about her journey, achievements, and contributions to the automotive and healthcare industries.
As healthcare and medical services were forced to adapt at an unprecedented rate to save the lives of millions across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bhavani Srinivasaiah became a name synonymous with innovation and adaptation in medicine and healthcare.
Bhavani works in the intersecting fields of healthcare, medical devices, and automotive engineering. With a nearly two-decade career, she has contributed her expertise to numerous technological innovations within these fields, making a significant mark on both industries with her unyielding dedication to technological advancement in the automotive industry, healthcare, medical devices, and beyond.
Bhavani's ability to combine the seemingly disparate elements of engineering within the automotive sector and electromechanical applications in medical devices sets her apart from others in her field. Over the course of her career, she has proven herself to be uniquely adept at navigating the business and technical sides of these industries with equal skill. This business savvy quality has been pivotal in her work toward advancing the two sectors.
Her expertise encompasses embedded system hardware and firmware design, electromechanical systems, FMEA & risk management, statistical analysis & MINITAB, system integration and testing, and agile methodologies. She has an MSc in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom and a BE in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University in India, underscoring her extensive academic prowess.
As a woman in tech, Bhavani has faced many unique challenges, including a maternity break when she became a new mother, but that hasn’t stopped her from remaining steadfastly dedicated to pursuing knowledge and fostering positive change both at work and at home. Today, Bhavani leads a successful international team of 20 staff.
Bhavani has earned a plethora of granted patents and publications in esteemed journals, such as SAE International, which serve as evidence of her technical insight and ingenuity. Her contributions have heavily impacted emerging automotive technology, from developing algorithms that enhance automobile GPS navigation systems to designing advanced driver alert systems. Her granted patents include a case-based vehicle management system and method, a vehicle security system, a radio frequency transceiver apparatus, a navigation system, and onboard rendering content.
All of Bhavani’s patents have played integral roles in improving the safety features of vehicles and helped move the industry closer to achieving autonomous driving of cars and trucks. Each of the five patents covers an aspect of technology that contributes to establishing a foundation for autonomous vehicles that is safe, efficient, and reliable.
The global autonomous vehicle market is projected to reach $556.67 billion by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 39.47% from 2019 to 2026. As this industry continues to expand, the demand for innovative and reliable safety features becomes more and more critical. Bhavani’s work developing algorithms and systems that enhance vehicle safety has placed her at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field, and her contributions are helping to shape the future of autonomous vehicles, ensuring that safety remains a top priority.
A recent study by McKinsey & Company said that up to 15% of new cars could be fully autonomous by 2030, underscoring the significant impact that ongoing research and development in this sector will have on the automotive industry. Bhavani’s patented algorithms, which focus on vehicle management, security, and navigation, are vital components in building the infrastructure needed to support this autonomous future. Her work not only enhances current vehicle technologies but also lays the groundwork for the next generation of automotive innovations.
In addition to her many technical contributions, Bhavani’s leadership in addressing gender disparity in the tech industry is equally noteworthy. Despite women making up nearly 47% of the workforce, they hold only about 26% of jobs in technology. Bhavani’s success and recognition in a male-dominated field serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion in driving innovation. By mentoring and leading diverse teams, she is actively contributing to creating a more inclusive environment in the tech industry, encouraging more women to pursue careers in STEM.
Bhavani has received numerous awards and accolades for her work. She is the recipient of the Global Recognition Award 2024, the Women in Tech for Medical Technology Award, and the Globex Business Conclave & Awards 2024. She has also won the TVS Motor Company Patent Award in back-to-back years for her innovative patents.
Now working as a key leader of the Dimension and Vista product suite with Siemens Healthineers Laboratory Diagnostics Division, Bhavani has successfully led many projects and investigations with her unique combination of skills, subject matter expertise, and innovative problem-solving. During her tenure with Siemens Healthineers, she has worked on many critical and complex problems, such as addressing unforeseen issues due to supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19. Under Bhavani's leadership, the team was able to resolve these problems in record time.
“Working at Siemens Healthineers has broadened my spectrum of thinking and has given me the opportunity to explore the medical device industry," explains Bhavani. Today, with Varian Medical System, a Siemens Healthineers company, Bhavani is determined to beat cancer by working on the hardware development of radiotherapy machines.
Bhavani Srinivasaiah shares her knowledge with anyone and everyone who is curious and willing to learn and has inspired many people. When asked about who inspires her, Bhavani answers, "I was always inspired by former PEPSI CEO and Chairman Ms. Indira Nooyi. I always wondered how, with grit and intelligence, she climbed up the ladder and led an MNC company while at the same time having a happy family. I take inspiration from her and want to become successful like her, lead a company in the future, and serve the country." Bhavani’s journey from healthcare innovation to pioneering autonomous vehicle technology shows her exceptional talent and unwavering dedication, positioning her as a leading woman in tech.