Automotive

Web exclusive

Stark Future unveils world’s most powerful Enduro motorcycle

Stark Future has launched a road-legal motorcycle, the VARG EX, with the aim of revolutionising the Enduro world. The drivetrain delivers 80 hbp, making it the most powerful Enduro bike on the market, Stark said. Riders can customise its performance with options for power delivery, engine braking and regenerative curves, all adjustable via the five-mode handlebar control switch.

Grid

Making powertrains faster with the aid of AI

Monumo has used two forms of artificial intelligence (AI) to speed the development of powertrain systems for e-mobility, writes Nick Flaherty. Time pressures often limit collaboration between sub-system teams in the early stages of design, which means genuine system-level optimisation is limited, said Simon Shepherd, head of hardware development at Monumo.

Web exclusive

Donut Lab claims new platform builds faster, cheaper, better EVs

Donut Lab has taken a new approach to building electric vehicles with a development platform that offers a library of inter-compatible components that can be used to produce supercars, buses, UVs or SUVs in record time, it says.

Digest

ICEBreaker hydrogen HGV

Two companies have teamed up to build a hydrogen-powered HGV using a fuel-cell powerplant, as Peter Donaldson reports. Spearheaded by powertrain energy-management specialist Viritech, Project ICEBreaker has built a hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicle (HGV) using a fuel-cell power plant, focusing on minimising the weight penalty compared with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Grid

Machine learning to reduce EV cost

Machine learning is being used to improve the quality of laser welding systems and powder metal 3D additive manufacturing, writes Nick Flaherty. Laser welding machine maker TRUMPF is working with software developer SiMa.ai to develop lasers with artificial intelligence (AI).

Grid

Robot makes light work of wiring harnesses

The first version of Q5D’s robot for automating the assembly of wiring harnesses for electric vehicles (EVs) is being shipped, writes Nick Flaherty. Q5D is using its CY1000 system to assemble the wiring harness in the roof lining of a prototype SUV being tested in the UK.

PS

The EV support structure

One of the signs of maturity we should look for in BEV technology is the existence of a robust market in used cars, writes Peter Donaldson. Evidence of this would include a good choice of makes and models with prices that, while strong, are significantly lower than new prices, and they reflect age, mileage, service history and overall condition.

In Conversation

In conversation: Neil Yates

Rory Jackson learns the success of a leading skateboard developer. With effectively all automotive OEMs now shifting focus from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to e-mobility, an eye for emerging trends across the industry and its markets has become critically.

Grid

Stackable connectors that simply snap in place

ENNOVI has developed a stackable, multi-row, board-to-board (BTB) automotive connector that snaps together without soldering, writes Nick FlahertyThe ENNOVI-MB2B system uses a proprietary ‘snap-in biscuit’ design, which allows multiple connector units to be stacked together without soldering, and it is reliable enough to use in EVs.

Web exclusive

AEHRA fuses beauty and innovation in two new EVs

AEHRA has revealed two new electric vehicles: the Impeto SUV and the Estasi Sedan. The company has also submitted a €1.2 billion development plan to the Ministry of Industry and Made in Italy for the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

ONLINE PARTNERS