Automotive
Auto Tech Review
Moving To A Hybrid Future - Electrification Consequences
The need for sustainable mobility today continues to power innovation in the automotive field.
5 min |
June 2018
Auto Tech Review
'There Is No Doubt That Electric Mobility Is Irreversible'
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) – a joint venture of four public sector undertakings – NTPC Ltd, Power Finance Corporation Ltd, Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (set up under the Ministry of Power, Government of India) – has been at the forefront of India’s ambitious electric mobility programme. Auto Tech Review caught up with Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director, EESL for a detailed understanding of its roadmap in creating an EV ecosystem.
7 min |
June 2018
Auto Tech Review
Hyperloop - Future Of Mobility, Customer Needs & Operational Viability
Hyperloop is a great example of tomorrow’s paradigm of innovation.
4 min |
June 2018
Auto Tech Review
Modular Stamped Steel Housings for Light Vehicle Suspension Ball Joints
Future chassis strategies are based on a few high-volume platforms that are used for a wide range of vehicle models with kinematic variants and different axle loads. TRW Linkage & Suspension (now business unit of THK Rhythm Automotive) has developed an economical production technology that makes modular mass production of cost- and weight-effective suspension components made from stamped steel possible. The crimped stamped steel ball joints are going into mass production in 2017.
7 min |
February 2017
Auto Tech Review
For Whom Filing Patents is a Hobby
For over 27 years of his association with bosch, Friedrich boecking has believed in and espoused a basic, yet very powerful, guiding principle. Aided by the corporate philosophy of bosch, which is “Invented For Life”, boecking understood fairly early in his professional career that one should start filing patents, if one is in the business of developing new technologies. And with close to 1,900 patents to his credit as of now, Friedrich boecking is one of the leading patent holders in the world. This is an incredible story about an individual’s penchant for finding answers to many challenges posed by diesel engines.
5 min |
February 2017
Auto Tech Review
Solutions That Improve Performance, Efficiency, Reliability & Safety
At the 11th Schaeffler Symposium in Baden-Baden in April last year, global automotive and industrial supplier, Schaeffler introduced an urban vehicle concept called the “Schaeffler Mover” – a compact wheel module that combines the drive and chassis components of this vehicle that is designed for fully autonomous operation. The concept was presented as the company’s answer to addressing the mobility challenges in rapidly growing metropolitan areas.
4 min |
March 2019
Auto Tech Review
Focus On Safety, Usage Of Genuine Parts & Electronics
The might of the aftermarket market came to the fore at the fourth edition of ACMA Automechanika trade show that was held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi from February 14-17. Touted as one of the country’s premier aftermarket shows, the ACMA Automechanika served as a platform for auto component suppliers and aftermarket players to showcase their diverse products and technologies. The four-day exposition attracted more than 550 exhibitors (300 domestic and 250 international exhibitors) from 16 nations, with country pavilions being allocated to South Korea, China, Taiwan and UK.
4 min |
March 2019
Auto Tech Review
Electromechanical Brake Booster For All Drive Concepts & Automated Driving
The increased efficiency of conventional internal combustion engines, the growing market penetration of electric powertrains, the requirements for higher safety, and the demand for automated driving have resulted in new requirements for brake systems. With the electromechanical brake booster, iBooster, Bosch meets these requirements without changing the established brake system layout.
6 min |
March 2019
Auto Tech Review
Wheel Brakes For EVs — Potentials And Challenges
A central element in the operation strategy of an electric vehicle is the vehicle deceleration by recuperation in order to maximise efficiency and range. As a consequence, the operation of wheel brakes becomes less and less frequent. Audi asks whether it is relevant to consider to what extent a brake downsizing is possible, and what new requirements evolve, especially in the premium segment. Developing innovative wheel brakes requires the analysis of altered load spectra, questioning of classical development premises, and promotion of innovative technologies.
8 min |
March 2019
Auto Tech Review
Adopting SCR At The Vehicle Level Will Increase Costs By 10-15 %
The adoption of SCR Technology has been rather slow in the price-sensitive Indian market as the cost of ownership is high. Auto Tech Review caught up with Vinod Aggarwal, MD & CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), to understand how the commercial vehicle industry is bracing up to adopt this technology in order to be BS VI-compliant.
7 min |
March 2019
Auto Tech Review
Why You Can't Write Off Internal Combustion Engines Just Yet
Several reports and findings indicate that the global advent of electric motors will power vehicles in the future.
5 min |
March 2019
Auto Tech Review
Focus On Empowering Mobility Through Safety, Intelligence, Alternate Fuels
The 16th edition of the Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) was organised by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in association with SAE International, SAE INDIA and National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP) in Pune from 16-18 January, 2019. In its 34-year-history, this was the first time that the event was organised outside the ARAI facility – at the Oxford Golf Resort, Hill Top, Pune – for want of more space.
6 min |
February 2019
Auto Tech Review
Connected Car Apps Aiding Functionality & Ease
In today’s age, connectivity has gained a great deal of significance. Mobile phones have steadily moved away from being just a gadget for making phone calls, to facilitating a virtual environment enabling connectivity at unparalleled levels, be it for work or leisure. Carmakers have also accounted for this and many industry leading OEMs have come up with software solutions that enhance users’ connectivity to their car and beyond. Add to that the aftermarket products, facilitating similar functions.
4 min |
February 2019
Auto Tech Review
Helping Additive Manufacturing Take The Next Leap With Simulation
What has been hailed as the transformer, in terms of industrial production, is now all set to take a further leap with simulation.
6 min |
February 2019
Auto Tech Review
Industry Has Very Little Appetite To Support Further Diesel Development
Global strategic engineering and environmental consultancy, Ricardo continues to look at combustion improvements in engines. Talk about the CryoPower concept for long haul trucks and other heavy-duty applications, or the over 40 % improvement in thermal efficiency it has achieved in gasoline engines; the company continues to innovate while also developing solutions to address urban mobility challenges. Auto Tech Review recently spoke to Mark Garrett, Chief Operating Officer, Ricardo for a detailed insight into the organisation’s work.
7 min |
February 2019
Auto Tech Review
Topped Off With Power, Stability & Comfort
Power, stability and comfort are just a few highlights of what Maruti Suzuki has packed into the all-new third generation WagonR. While the new WagonR gets a bigger power plant alongside the existing 1.0 l engine, it has also been constructed on the fifth generation HEARTECT platform. This has not only created ample cabin room but has also made the WagonR more stable and comfortable to drive. That’s not all; the new model now comes with exciting features and at attractive price points. Here’s how it shapes up.
4 min |
February 2019
Auto Tech Review
Wheeling Ahead With In-house Capability Build-up
Rockman Industries, a part of the Hero Group, is a leading supplier of aluminium die casting components, machined & painted assemblies. With two-wheeler alloy wheel penetration reaching as high as 90 % of the market, Rockman Industries is going full throttle to make the most of this growing demand. Auto Tech Review recently visited the company’s Bawal facility to know more about its operations and manufacturing prowess.
6 min |
February 2019
Auto Tech Review
Connected Technologies Take Hyundai Venue Above & Beyond Competition
When I think of a sub-compact SUV, the first thought that crosses my mind is a vehicle that fits the budget of the common man. SUVs are not for everyone owing to their size, price and utility. But with a growing trend of SUVs becoming status symbols, manufacturers have curated smaller and more compact SUVs that obviously come with a much more affordable price tag for the masses. For long, Hyundai has been shying away from the sub-compact SUV space with no offerings that sit under the Creta. Finally after much ado, the Korean carmaker has brought an India centric sub-compact SUV – the Hyundai Venue. Despite being priced well within the reach of the common man, this compact SUV is a technological marvel in itself, with connected features that have not yet been seen in this segment in India.
4 min |
June 2019
Auto Tech Review
Failsafe Door Latch Without Lock Cylinder
Despite increasing levels of digitisation, cars are still equipped with lock cylinders to ensure the door can be unlocked at any given time. Kiekert’s ReactiWake locking system guarantees this on a purely electronic level, thus creating new opportunities in vehicle design and operating concept. Besides reducing complexities in the aftermarket, the supply processes associated with a mechanical replacement key are completely dispensed with and free positioning of the latch and exterior handles by designers is possible.
8 min |
June 2019
Auto Tech Review
Managing Paradoxes Of Mobility With Automotive Electronics
The preliminary days of the mobility industry had a very limited role for Automotive Electronics (AE) that warranted communication and exchanging signals between sub-systems and components to cater to the basic functionalities of a vehicle traversing between locations.
2 min |
June 2019
Auto Tech Review
Solar Electric Car Focussing On Eco–friendly Mobility
Riding high on its solar car innovation, the Electro-X India team led by Akhilesh Tripathi, from Galgotias University is now gearing up to take part in the upcoming Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia
3 min |
June 2019
Auto Tech Review
Smart Tech 2019 Harps On Intellgent Tracking Solutions
The transformation to the next generation of mobility is likely to be drastic.
4 min |
June 2019
Auto Tech Review
Attribute-Based Development Of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Advanced driver assistance systems and automated driving are a megatrend in the automotive industry. The following questions arise: will vehicle manufacturers still be able to differentiate themselves brand-specifically in the future or will all vehicles be perceived as the same, when being driven? How can a brand DNA be implemented and how to achieve the transfer from funto-drive to fun-to-be-driven? In order to provide solutions, clear driving characteristic goals – in front of the customer – must be defined and the requirements for vehicle systems and components shall be derived from this. But what are driving characteristics in the context of assisted and automated driving and how can those specifically be realised in development? Porsche has addressed this challenge together with the University of Applied Sciences Kempten and MdynamiX.
9 min |
July 2019
Auto Tech Review
Compass Trailhawk – Engineered To Take On The Beaten Road
Having tasted success in the Indian market with the Compass SUV, Jeep is now preparing to introduce the Compass Trailhawk in a bid to drive fresh appeal in the market. Sitting above the Limited variant, the Compass Trail hawk is a specially designed SUV that draws strongly from Jeep’s rich history with SUVs that are capable of taking on the beaten path. We not only sampled the Compass Trailhawk, but also got to learn more about the extensive work carried out by various teams at Jeep. Read on to learn just how much has changed on the upcoming Compass Trailhawk.
4 min |
July 2019
Auto Tech Review
Henkel RLE Mobility Alliance Aims To Address Future Opportunities
It was in November last year that Henkel and RLE International had announced their decision to form a strategic ‘mobility alliance’ to drive automotive innovation, expand value creation opportunities and become a premier design-in engineering solution provider for the mobility industry.
5 min |
July 2019
Auto Tech Review
Steer-by-wire Systems Safety, Comfort And Individuality
As automated or autonomous driving is becoming more widespread, it can be assumed that steer-by-wire systems will prevail. With them, the driving experience can be improved and driving safety can be increased. In addition, OEMs have more flexibility in designing the interior of the vehicle as well as in the engine compartment by eliminating the mechanical components. In this article, Thyssenkrupp describes the advantages and the current state of development of steer-by-wire systems.
8 min |
July 2019
Auto Tech Review
Ceat Securadrive – Optimised For Grip, Performance & Comfort
Tyres form an integral part of the automobile industry and with customers increasingly demanding more from their vehicles, tyre technology has evolved in many ways over the years.
3 min |
July 2019
Auto Tech Review
Raising Paint Efficiencies For Cost Optimised Tomorrow
Nippon Paint India is riding high after the inauguration of Nippon Paint X’press - its state-of-the-art car paint and refinish facility in Gurugram earlier this year.
5 min |
July 2019
Auto Tech Review
We'll Serve The Big Changes In Future Urban Mobility With Solutions, Product Of Our Own
While conventional vehicles with IC engines will continue to be in demand, the future of mobility would see multiple interpretation of cars, including electric powertrains, hybrids of various kinds and autonomous vehicles. Diversified German automotive supplier ZF is preparing ground to serve such changes with solutions and products of its own. Auto Tech Review spoke to Dr Stefan Sommer, Chief Executive Officer, ZF Friedrichshafen AG for this exclusive interview.
7 min |
April 2017
Auto Tech Review
Efficiency, Ease Of Use, Performance, Key Drivers For 2W Transmission Development
Where in areas like engines, braking systems and suspension technology, two-wheeler manufacturers have made great progress over the last 4-5 decades, transmission is one area where things have, apparently, not changed too much. For more than half a century, the basic format has remained the same – a hand-operated clutch and foot-operated five- or six-speed transmission. Of course, part of the reason why things haven’t changed too much is, one, this format pretty much works very well for most riders, and two, unlike car drivers, two-wheeler riders haven’t exactly been demanding automatic or semi-automatic transmission. Most riders are happy to trade ease of use for the sheer ‘control’ that a fully manual transmission provides. And yet, with the in evitable march of technology, changes have started creeping in gradually. Here, we take a look at some of the more recent developments in two-wheeler transmission technologies.
7 min |