FLEETDRIVE
DRIVERLESS VEHICLE IN PLANT
R & D PARTNERSHIPS
LI BATTERY BREAKTHROUGH
BMW Group Plant Regensburg has unveiled an autonomous transport vehicle , advancing its digitalisation and automation . This driverless electric platform truck , capable of carrying up to 55 tonnes , autonomously handles the internal transport of press tools and steel blanks at four kilometers per hour .
Tobias Müller , Press Plant Maintenance Manager , emphasised the efficiency , flexibility , and safety benefits of the emission-free vehicle , which also reduces transport journeys and lead times .
Utilising innovative LiDAR ( Light Detection and Ranging ) sensor technology from Pefra , the vehicle navigates precisely through production facilities by creating a 3D image of its surroundings .
The Regensburg press plant processes 1,100 tonnes of steel daily , producing 131,000 pressed parts and using secondary steel to save 160,000 tonnes of CO2 annually . This advanced technology and closed recycling loop enhance productivity and sustainability .
This unique autonomous vehicle solution propels BMW closer to its vision of a fully digital and intelligently connected BMW iFACTORY .
Valeo , a leader in mobility technologies , has partnered with Dassault Systèmes to accelerate the digital transformation of its research and development activities . Utilising Dassault Systèmes ’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform , Valeo will enhance its R & D efficiency and innovation .
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform will be deployed to over 15,000 Valeo users , helping manage product complexity and support the company ’ s advancements in electrification , advanced driving assistance systems , and lighting . This platform allows Valeo to leverage legacy data for better decision-making and continuous innovation .
Christophe Périllat , CEO of Valeo , emphasised the partnership ’ s role in providing efficient digital solutions to support their R & D efforts , combining hardware , software , and AI for safer , more sustainable mobility .
Pascal Daloz , CEO of Dassault Systèmes , highlighted the partnership ’ s goal to foster innovation and support Valeo ’ s transformation into a tech company for the automotive industry , utilising the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to connect scientific models with experiential data throughout the vehicle lifecycle .
Japanese technology firm Asahi Kasei has achieved a significant technological breakthrough in lithiumion batteries ( LIBs ) with its proprietary high ionic conductive electrolyte . This innovation enhances power output at low temperatures and durability at high temperatures , addressing major challenges in current LIB technology .
This new electrolyte allows for smaller , more cost-effective battery packs with higher energy density . LIBs typically operate optimally between 10 to 45 ° C , with performance issues outside this range . Asahi Kasei ’ s electrolyte maintains high performance even at −40 ° C and extends battery life at 60 ° C .
Asahi Kasei has been pioneering lithium-ion battery research since 2010 . The development of this high ionic conductivity electrolyte was spearheaded by Honorary Fellow Akira Yoshino , focusing on acetonitrile as a key component . The prototype cells using this electrolyte demonstrated exceptional power and doubled the cycle life compared to conventional cells .
ISSUE 47 JUNE 2024 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU 29