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RECHARGING INDIA'S ELECTRIC MOBILITY AMBITION ONE YEAR INTO FAME II

In its newest initiative, Auto Tech Review recently introduced a webinar series titled “Tech Chat”, with an objective to deliberate on multitude of subjects relevant to the automotive sector. The first of the series was themed ‘Recharging India’s Electric Mobility Ambition One Year into FAME II Scheme’, which was graced by Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL); Samir Yajnik, Executive Director, Electra EV; Vinay Piparsania, Director – Automotive, Counterpoint Research. Deepangshu Dev Sarmah, Editor-in-Chief, Auto Tech Review moderated the webinar.

LIGHTWEIGHT CHASSIS CONCEPT WITH MASS PRODUCTION POTENTIAL

In a two-year project led by Ford, a fibre composite knuckle and the tools required for mass production were developed. New CAE technologies were devised and components manufactured using a multi-material manufacturing process applied for the first time in the automotive industry.

OPTIMISING CHASSIS SOLUTIONS FOR ADDRESSING EVER-EVOLVING MARKET REQUIREMENTS

The considerable developments happening in the area of chassis will be largely driven by overwhelming focus on driving improved fuel economy, emission reduction, safety and comfort.

PREDICTIVE CHASSIS CONCEPT FOR PASSENGER CARS

The chassis has consistently played a key role in the future of the automobile. End customers want a dynamic driving experience without forgoing dependability. However, at the same time, automated functions increase demand for comfort, which car manufacturers and suppliers must in turn satisfy. Individual components can no longer satisfy these varied tasks alone. ZF therefore relies on the optimised combination of chassis systems.

CHASSIS SYSTEMS GAINING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS; PLAYING ACTIVELY IN SAFETY

Any vehicle, be it two, three or four-wheelers, or for that matter even an off-highway vehicle or farm equipment all require certain basic components to function. The driveline is what makes a vehicle move and stop, the bodywork, exteriors, interiors, electronics and safety systems provide functionalities of their own. However, all these parts and components need to be placed on a frame or require to be held together strongly, for which the chassis is the base. There may be multiple types of chassis, such as ladder-on-frame, monocoque, space or hybrid, but they all perform the same role of providing the platform for all other components of a vehicle to be assembled on.

ROLE OF SIMULATION IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT DURING A LOCKDOWN

Digital verification and validation methodologies have been in use across industries, predominantly in the automotive space for a fairly long period of time. Such virtual testing solutions offer benefits such as faster pace of development, accurate interpretation to changes in testing environment and cost savings. Another advantage of simulation, which hasn’t been always highlighted, is the possibility of carrying out testing remotely from any part of the globe. All that is needed for simulation are product specifications along with changes or conditions under which the product needs to perform.

TEAM MEXTBOTS DEVELOP DOG-BOT FOR SURVEILLANCE ACROSS VARIED TERRAINS

Staying vigil at all times and minimising any loss of life has been among the top priorities for our defence forces, especially for a country like India that is home to an extremely varied terrain. MEXTBOTS, a six-member team from Sharda University has developed an animal-shaped robot named Dog-Bot that it claims can serve as the eyes and ears of our defence forces in ensuring regional security.

BLU SMART MOBILITY OPTIMISING ELECTRIC RIDE-HAILING SOLUTIONS

Shared mobility is steadily gaining prominence across the globe, especially in cities that are witnessing a growing reluctance among vehicle owners to own a vehicle. In fact, the growing congestion across city roads that leads to driver fatigue is prompting many to avail shared mobility services. In the Indian context, consumers have warmed up to the concept of shared mobility services offered by cab aggregators such as Ola and Uber.

2020 HONDA CRF1100L AFRICA TWIN – REDEFINING ADVENTURE BIKING

Offering a manual transmission option along with dual clutch transmission as well as a bigger engine packed with more power and a variety of electronic upgrades, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has a fresher adventure machine for venturesome riders.

TRANSMISSIONS – EMBRACING TODAY

Techniques to transmit power to the wheels in a vehicle have changed significantly with the new mobility paradigms. The types of transmissions are ingeniously evolving and adapting to cater to this changing ecosystem. The ecosystem for an autonomous vehicle, shared mobility, electric mobility, XEV or a flexible platform is different from that of the conventional vehicles.

TRANSMISSION TRANSITION FOR MASS SEGMENT PASSENGER CARS

Automobiles are currently in a state of development where the powertrain is taken for granted to be efficient, while offering higher levels of driver convenience. The differentiating factors that OEMs are now considering are in the user experience of the rest of the vehicle occupants, which are around infotainment, seating and safety. The source of energy in the vehicle, be it powered by petrol, diesel, electric motor or a combination to form hybrids, may be varied, but one constant is the transmission that transfers the power to the wheels.

TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT MAY BE MOST CRITICAL OF POWERTRAIN CONTROLLERS

The powertrain of a vehicle consists of the engine and transmission, and the latter has been witnessing developments focussed towards enhancing driving experience as well as offering efficiency, in terms of fuel utilisation. The behaviour of the gears can be monitored and be made to perform in a desired manner with the help of an electronic intervention that comes in the form of the Transmission Control Unit (TCU).

ROOTS INDUSTRIES FOCUSSING ON ENHANCED EFFICIENCY OF AUTOMOTIVE HORNS

A critical safety element, automotive horns serves the function of alerting other vehicles and pedestrians of a vehicle’s approach. Although they add to the noise on our roads, horns go a long way in minimising or reducing road accidents. Coimbatore-based Roots Industries India, the ` 600 cr flagship division of the Roots Group, has grown in stature over the decades to emerge as the world’s fifth largest automotive horn manufacturer.

RISE OF CONNECTED COMMUTE

The Bluetooth technology was developed in 1989 by Nils Rydbeck, CTO, Ericsson Mobile in Lund, Sweden for the purpose of designing wireless headsets. The possibilities were endless and within a decade, the first consumer Bluetooth device was launched in the form of a hands-free mobile headset, followed by the first Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone, which hit the market in 2001.

“ALL SYSTEMS IN A VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD WILL HAVE THEIR DIGITAL TWINS”

Leading engineering and technology company Robert Bosch GmbH has always been at the forefront of technological innovations. The transformation of the automotive industry into encompassing more facets of the mobility sector has opened up new opportunities for the German multinational. During his visit to India around the Auto Expo 2020 in February, Auto Tech Review spoke to Dr Markus Heyn, Member of the Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH on a multitude of subjects. Excerpts:

ION ENERGY BALANCING END-TO-END SOLUTIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

For an electric vehicle (EV), the battery pack is the most important and costliest component, representing more than 45 % of the vehicle cost. The battery needs constant monitoring for optimised total cost of ownership (TCO). Mumbai-based company Ion Energy is focussed on developing end-to-end solutions for EVs aimed at further propelling India’s journey towards greener mobility

KABIRA MOBILITY READY TO ROLL WITH AFFORDABLE E-SCOOTERS

The country is increasingly focussing on cleaner mobility solutions such as electric vehicles (EVs) that are gaining momentum at a steady clip. And across vehicle segments, the electric scooter space in India is intensifying with a plethora of start-ups readying themselves to offer new energy solutions.

IIT ROORKEE DEVELOPS NIITRO ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE FOR OFF-ROAD APPLICATIONS

Academia is the first big pathway for students to understand the basics of the automotive industry – it allows them to delve deeper into the different technical aspects of vehicle engineering and subsequently turn up with innovative solutions for future mobility. KNOx – a team of students from IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand has developed its ninth All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) that showcases its technical capabilities to deliver power-packed results.

GREAT WALL MOTORS AIMS TO UP THE ANTE IN SUVs, EVs

The slowdown in the automotive industry notwithstanding, the Indian market continues to offer long-term promise to investors. And the latest wave – after Japanese and Korean manufacturers – seem to be coming from China. Chinese auto manufacturers, reportedly, are expected to pump in close to $ 5 bn in the Indian market over the next three to five years. Some of them have already made investments, while others have committed to infuse capital in a market that could potentially become the third largest automobile market in the world in some time.

Innovative Charging Infrastructure System For Electric Vehicles

As the world looks at cleaner mobility solutions, electric vehicle (EV) penetration is poised to grow, necessitating the setting up of a robust charging infrastructure. Bikash Sah, a student of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati has developed an EV charging system to source optimum performance out of EVs.

Is Blockchain-Based Central Battery Grid The Road Ahead For EVs?

We are already in the second decade of the 21st century, and whether electric vehicles (EV), the future of commute, will hog the mainstream global automobile market remains a debatable topic even now.

POWERTRAIN STILL AT ITS CORE, BOSCH EYES OTHER MEGATRENDS

Leading automotive Tier 1, Bosch has reiterated its commitment to the Indian market and to the transformations that the industry is currently undergoing with innovative, affordable and future-ready solutions both for conventional and future mobility. At a recent media interaction, the company gave us a sense of its future lookout, and showcased some of its technology highlights.

“BS VI WAS ABOUT GOING BEYOND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, AND OFFERING BETTER VALUE PROPOSITION”

IIn its drive towards meeting the BS VI emission regulations, Tata Motors focussed on complexity reduction as well as driving modularity and commonality across platforms. In an interview with Auto Tech Review, Girish Wagh, President, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors talked about the company’s transition to BS VI, and the prevailing slowdown, among others.

ŠKODA-VW EXHIBITS RENEWED VIGOUR WITH UPCOMING INDIA STRATEGY

The Volkswagen Group has announced a fresh new offensive for the Indian market, where between ŠKODA AUTO and Volkswagen, the Group is aiming for a 5 % market share by 2025. At the Auto Expo 2020, the companies showcased a slew of products that are aimed at the future Indian market, including the ŠKODA VISION IN and Volkswagen Taigun.

EMISSION CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES COMBINE R&D WITH FUTURE TRENDS

The automotive industry is gearing up to adopt technologies that enable reduced levels of emissions from vehicles, especially since this is one of the most easily blamed industries, when it comes to increasing pollution.

PEMS, RDE ON MOTORCYCLES AS INSTRUMENTS FOR FUTURE CHALLENGES

The current debate surrounding emissions and consumption of vehicles powered by combustion engines caused Kempten University of Applied Sciences to investigate the topic of RDE on motorcycles in cooperation with AIP-GmbH. The RDE scope specified for passenger cars was successfully transferred in terms of the measurement system, test procedure, and evaluation.

DIESEL PASSENGER CAR WITH ULTRA-LOW NOX EMISSIONS IN REAL DRIVING CONDITIONS

In future, a further reduction of the nitrogen oxide emissions for passenger cars with diesel engines is to be expected. As part of a joint project, IAV and the Association for Emissions Control by Catalyst (AECC) have investigated the extent to which emissions from diesel vehicles can be further reduced in real driving operation through mild hybridisation and optimised exhaust after-treatment.

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS TO BEAT SLOWDOWN BLUES

Call it foresight or smart business decisions, right investments at the right times have helped Tier 1 major Continental address the prevailing slowdown in the automotive industry with aplomb. The company has its order books full; it is making fresh investments in products and manufacturing and it continues to hire engineers in a market that is witnessing its slowest growth in recent times. Auto Tech Review takes an in-depth look at Continental India’s current market position.

DICV MARKS TRANSITION TO BS VI NORMS WITH PURE SCR TECHNOLOGY

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles’ (DICV) BS VI-compliant medium and heavy-duty BharatBenz trucks and buses will offer Indian customers solutions they need for the future.

Future Mobility Innovations Take Centrestage At CES 2020

The recently-held Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2020 in Las Vegas, US, focussed on new-age technologies that are poised for mainstream adoption. Like the preceding editions of CES, this year’s event also witnessed a whole range of technologies revolving around future mobility solutions.