Automotive
Auto Tech Review
Aeris | Enhancing The Role Of Iot In Connected Vehicles
The push towards advanced connected car technology and autonomous cars is gaining momentum, with safety and passenger engagement being the top priorities. To this end, the Internet of Things (IoT) has been a potent tool in offering solutions that ensure an efficient ecosystem for vehicles of the future. Aeris is a mobile virtual network operator in the US, which provides machine-to-machine connectivity.
3 min |
November 2017
Auto Tech Review
New Tool Chain For Virtual Brake Control System Validation
Validation of brake control systems is becoming increasingly supported by simulations executed on test benches. Performance and test speed are largely determined by the degree of automation of the tool chain used. Elektronische Fahrwerksysteme GmbH (EFS) shows how it has moved to fully automated test execution and the replacement of its entire tool chain in ongoing operation of ESC testing.
7 min |
November 2017
Auto Tech Review
E-Power, Autonomous Driving Take Centre Stage At Tokyo
Wild, over-the-top concepts cars, exotic design studies, cutting-edge technologies that may never see the light of day, and more glitz and glamour than you’d see in Hollywood – for years, that’s what the biennial Tokyo Motor Show (TMS) has been all about. The 45th edition of TMS concluded in the last week of October this year and its tagline of ‘Beyond the Motor’ provided more than a hint of what to expect. Sure, the glitz, glamour and exotica was all there and accounted for, but this year, the TMS also mirrored the automotive industry itself, which is currently in a state of flux, undergoing massive changes.
5 min |
November 2017
Auto Tech Review
Sanand Takes The Lead With Making The New 'Dragon' Engine
Ford India was established in the country as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company in 1995, and set up its first local plant in Chennai. The company experienced good growth over the years, and to address in creasing demand it later set up its second manufacturing facility at Sanand in Gujarat. Ford has invested over $ 2 bn in India to expand its manufacturing facilities and dealership footprint to meet rapidly rising demand in this country, which remains one of the fastest-growing auto markets worldwide.
6 min |
November 2017
auto tech review
lightweight design for pickup trucks with high-strength and press-hardened steels
in order to decrease co2 emission and fuel consumption in the usa for the cafe programme, especially the weight of us american light-duty pickup trucks has to be reduced. using an extensive study, arcelormittal shows with high-strength and press-hardened steels and current production processes how a total mass reduction of 174 kg (-23 %) has been achieved on the initial 748 kg of the body and the frame scope of the baseline chevrolet silverado – at almost neutral cost.
7 min |
november 2016
auto tech review
why it's time to invest in digital oil
increasingly uncertain energy policies, geopolitical complexities, cost management and climate change all present significant challenges to the oil and gas sector. deploying digital in areas, where the technology can affect the cost curve in the short term and deliver immediate results, is the right thing to do, suggests ey in this study.
7 min |
november 2016
auto tech review
intelligent networking of chassis, driveline, and driver assistance systems
around the globe, more and more people are moving to cities, creating the same challenges for rapidly growing megacities everywhere: too little space for too many cars. people are demanding not only holistic mobility solutions, but also vehicle concepts for urban private transport which enable mobility in the long run and reach future co2 standards down to zero local emissions. therefore zf developed the advanced urban vehicle, a test vehicle that meets all these requirements: the vehicle is locally emission-free, extremely manoeuvrable, and net worked with driver and environment.
8 min |
january 2017
auto tech review
reinventing the tyre
tyres are more than just round and black. they are high-tech products that have to meet a wide variety of requirements and handle many different situations. tyres are already helping to reduce fuel consumption and improve road safety, but until now they have played a largely passive role. this could soon change. in future, tyres will be spherical and will have learned to communicate.
6 min |
november 2016
auto tech review
lightweighting: a weight loss pill for the automotive industry
‘nutritional strategies to help you shed those extra pounds to feel good,’ says the screaming headline of a health blog. weight reduction brings health improvements and can make people look and feel better. the world of auto engineering is also obsessed with weight reduction, though of a different kind - that of vehicles. termed ‘automotive lightweighting’ (reducing vehicle weight using lighter materials and smart engineering), this school of automobile engineering pays attention to building vehicles that are less heavy and more fuel efficient, along with a reduced co2 emissions footprint.
5 min |
november 2016
auto tech review
bmw vision next 100 showcases the motorcycle's future
bmw’s ‘vision’ series of vehicles are aimed at fulfilling future mobility needs and may make it to production at some time over the next 2-3 decades. after bmw, mini and rolls-royce ‘vision’ vehicles, there’s now also a vision motorcycle – the bmw motorrad vision next 100, which was unveiled at the ‘iconic impulses – the bmw group future experience’ event in los angeles last month. it provides a sneak peek at the future of two wheeled transport.
4 min |
november 2016
auto tech review
new volvo coaches up the technology game in buses
in the 15 years it has been in operation in india, volvo buses in india has not only set standards for luxury travel but has also been an early adopter and implementer of innovation and technologies. while it had a monopolistic run at the top of the luxury bus segment for a significant period, the company has continued to up the game in the market. its recent range of intercity coaches is set to drive its growth further.
3 min |
january 2017
auto tech review
usd front forks provide performance edge
motorcycles have featured front suspension for over a century, with bmw being the first manufacturer to produce a motorcycle with hydraulically damped telescopic forks in 1935. currently, a majority of motorcycles use telescopic forks for the front suspension. the telescopic front fork is made of fork bodies, which are the shock absorbers that contain coil springs inside an oil-sealed enclosure, into which the solid fork tubes, or stanchions, slide to provide damping action.
4 min |
january 2017
Auto Tech Review
Methodical Approach For Current Powertrain Requirements
New methods are required for efficiently achieving the development goals of future powertrains. APL describes the use of new tools based on genetic algorithms for the targeted parameter optimisation and analysis of large amounts of data using syntactic and statistical pattern recognition. New processor and memory technologies increase the analysis performance of complex calculations and simulations and efficiently support the calibration process. ECU calibrations can already be prepared in offline applications as part of SiL (Software-in the-Loop) studies and thus reduce the effort on the test bench or in the vehicle.
6 min |
September 2018
Auto Tech Review
Digital Light - From Matrix To Micro Mirror
Since LED technology found its breakthrough in all lighting functions, it comes now to digitalisation. LEDs meet the digital needs; they can be switched on or off individually. Using the matrix function, Audi could optimise the high beam. The next step is about micro mirror arrays with more than one million segments, which allow the exact vehicle contour of an oncoming vehicle to be copied quickly and selectively or enable pedestrians to be warned by marking lights on the road.
8 min |
September 2018
Auto Tech Review
Hybrid Lightweight Design Concept For The Vehicle Floor
By presenting the Integrated Sandwich Floor, Röchling Automotive showcases a vehicle floor concept featuring a hybrid design based on low weight reinforced thermoplastics. The structurally integrated load-bearing component allows weight & space savings, and meets high standards in terms of thermal management, rigidity and acoustics.
8 min |
September 2018
Auto Tech Review
Will The Indian Innovation Gene Redefine Mobility?
India is a fascinating geography, and I say this in reference to not just the ethnicity and diversity of the country; but also in reference to the zeal that India has to grow, to do better, to innovate and to prosper! India is known as the country of innovation, and has given to the world the concept of zero, chess, Vedic mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, yoga and more. Innovation thrives in every nook & corner of our country, be it big or small.
3 min |
September 2018
Auto Tech Review
We See A New Type Of Customer Emerging In The Future - Cities
One of the most innovative companies in the automotive sector, Continental is preparing for the challenges and opportunities that future mobility offers. Auto Tech Review recently spoke to Frank Jourdan, Member of the Executive Board and President of the Chassis & Safety Division, Continental AG to understand the direction the company intends to take and the role it is likely to play in the mobility of tomorrow.
7 min |
September 2018
Auto Tech Review
Revolutionising Automotive Retail With AR & AI
With the avalanche of new digital technologies and engineering innovations, passenger cars have been undergoing tremendous evolution. However, the retail experience and touch points of buying such cars are still very much the same as it was decades ago. This is true not just in India, but also in many developed markets. Accenture studies how augmented reality and artificial intelligence are likely to alter the retail experience in the automotive industry.
4 min |
September 2018
Auto Tech Review
Dynamics Of The Drive Modes On Tata's Nexon AMT
INTRODUCTIONThe introduction of an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) on the Nexon SUV made Tata Motors the first company to feature the two-pedal technology on a compact SUV in India.
4 min |
September 2018
Auto Tech Review
MG Motor's iSmart Next Gen – Makings Of An Internet Car
We’re just a few days away from MG Motor India’s first product introduction in the market – the Hector SUV. While the market has been abuzz with MG’s entry into India, the company put together a fairly large event early April to showcase its iSMART Next Gen connectivity platform, which the company claims, would make the Hector India’s first internet car. So, what exactly is an internet car?
4 min |
May 2019
Auto Tech Review
Cleaner Environment Calls For Cleaner Alternative Fuels
The automotive industry has relied heavily on fossil fuels as the most utilized means of powering engines since inception. This reliance on fuel sources that are mostly not renewable is something that the entire world is accepting as detrimental to the environment.
3 min |
May 2019
Auto Tech Review
Concept Car With Fuel Cell Plug-in Hybrid
In the context of electrification and development activities, fuel cell vehicles represent an increasingly inter esting approach for various vehicle classes, especially for those with long ranges. AVL provides proof that a competitive fuel cell plug-in hybrid vehicle can be realised with existing components and minimal changes to the powertrain.
5 min |
May 2019
Auto Tech Review
Innovating To Address Future Mobility Needs
Driven by the enormous possibilities in the future of mobility, a few senior professionals in the automotive industry explored the possibility of coming together to build an organization of their own.
4 min |
May 2019
Auto Tech Review
Efficient Drivetrain For Electric Two-Wheelers In India
The adoption of electric mobility may not be moving at the speed the Indian government wishes for. However, the robust government push in the form of the FAME II scheme announced earlier this year has infused hope about facilitating an electric vehicle ecosystem in the country. Pune-based Team Drivetrain offers a solution in this area.
3 min |
August 2019
Auto Tech Review
Charging Up The Indian Electric Vehicle Market
Riding on the government’s push to propel electric mobility in India, Hyundai brought in its first electric vehicle (EV) – the Kona Electric, amidst much fanfare.
5 min |
August 2019
Auto Tech Review
Surface Innovations For Interiors Of Future Vehicles
A cooperation between Kostal and YFAI is intended to synergetically combine the HMI and interior technology areas in order to offer market-ready solutions for intelligent surfaces in the short term and, at the same time, to reduce organisational complexities for OEM customers. Instead of electronic modules that are installed in the vehicle interior and then covered, the partners are developing new products from a single source.
8 min |
August 2019
Auto Tech Review
Tailor-made Pre- and Main Fuel Filter Combinations For CV Diesel engines
Modern diesel engine require highly efficient fuel filter system. In general, in commercial vehicle, a filter is installed before and after the low-pressure pump. Hengst has dealt intensively with the subject of developing the pre- and main filtration as one calibration overall system. Compared to conventionally designed filters these calibrated system provide significant performance advantages.
7 min |
December 2016
Auto Tech Review
Efficiency, Emissions Focus for CV Engine Development
With sales of around 60,000 units per month (LCVs + M/HCVs), the commercial vehicles segment is an important element in powering the Indian economy. It’s also important for the segment to keep abreast of the latest global advances in commercial vehicle technologies, since improved engine efficiency and lower fuel consumption are critical for better profitability, while reduced emissions helps the environment in a big way. Here, we take a look at some of the newer developments in CV engine technology that promise a better future for commercial vehicle owners and operators.
4 min |
March 2017
Auto Tech Review
Inside Maruti Suzuki's R&d Centre in Rohtak
Seventy-odd km north-west of its mother plant in Gurgaon in Haryana, about 220 engineers from Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) are engrossed in designing, developing and evaluating vehicles to ensure the leading carmaker delivers products that are durable, efficient and most importantly, safe. Once completed, this state-of-the-art R&D facility in Rohtak will be one of the most advanced R&D facilities in India and amongst the top facilities in Asia, claims the company. We were recently invited to the facility for a detailed understanding of how the centre functions. Here’s what we learnt.
5 min |
March 2017
Auto Tech Review
Laser, Lidar Is the Way Forward for Automotive Vision
Globally, more than one million vehicle-related fatal accidents take place every year, along with more than 20 mn crash-related injuries. Costs for this mayhem are estimated to be more than ` 200 lakh crore – a sum that’s hard to even comprehend for most people. Of the many initiatives being undertaken by car manufacturers to wards trying to enhance safety, and reduce the number of accidents that happen worldwide every year, one important initiative is increasing night-time visibility for drivers. Automotive lighting systems have already witnessed significant advancements over the last two to three decades, and further development continues relentlessly. We take a look at some cutting-edge developments in this space.
5 min |