as). While all these systems serve multiple markets,
the self-driving and Autonomous Driver Assistance
Systems (ADAS) are a major market, based on its
potential size.
5G—5G refers to the
new, wireless data
transmission proto-
col that promise data
transfer speeds of 1 ms
in mobile—particularly
automotive—applications. This is up to five times
faster than currently used systems and basically
means that mechanical responses to external events
(such as braking to avoid a rear end collision) will
take place at speeds comparable to the reactions
of an alerted human. Note the adjective “alerted”,
by which is meant a human driver becoming aware
of a dangerous situation just prior to taking action
to avoid it. As many accidents are occur because
of inattentiveness, or emotional mindset, these, in
particular, could be avoided in autonomous vehicles.
Wireless communications will play a critical role in
keeping the entire ecosystem of vehicles, infrastruc-
ture, and pedestrians in an interactive framework
of greater driving safety. 5G is the latest upgrade to
ADAS and autonomous vehicle technologies insure
greater safety by sharing and receiving critical safety
information, movements of other vehicles and pe-
destrians, traffic information, and road conditions.
As with LiDAR and other sensory systems, which
they complement, 5G software development and
applications will serve many markets, and will deliv-
er, according to many analysts, trillions of dollars in
value added in the coming decades.
Electric motor advances for small vehicles
While the technologies cited above will come to the
gated communities and smart suburban and urban
environments over the next few years—initially
perhaps in driverless shuttles, which are actually
in current operation at various sites in the United
States, there are performance upgrades available
on the market that fill the gap between your golf car
type PTV and that small vehicle that lies in our fu-
ture—that is, the one that takes us beyond the gates
and safely so.
Four of these upgrades are motors, three of which,
admittedly, will require the services of a skilled me-
chanic for a retrofit and may be worth the wait until
an enterprising start-up, upgrader, or traditional
manufacturer—Club Car, E-Z-GO, Yamaha—takes it
on.
Here are the first three, electric motors, which when
adopted, will provide major gains in PTV perfor-
mance and become desirable components in small,
urban mobility vehicles, as well as autonomous
electric-powered shuttles.
• Ashwoods axial flux permanent magnet motors—
Based in Harcombe Cross, Chudleigh, the U.K.,
Ashwoods exhibited their scalable axial flux PM
motors at the 2018 PGA Show. For traction applica-
tions, meaning among other applications, golf car-
type vehicles, the company offers a standard shaft
design, which, “…allows easy rotor implementation
on numerous gear designs and axle mounts.” The
customisable adapter plate can also be used with a
variety of direct transmission drives.
• Nidec (Japan), Bosch (Germany), and Dana (U.S.)
all make e-axles and some designs involve integrat-
ing an electric motor. Bosch is aiming to supply all
European vehicle classifications, including Class d
for mini-cars. I was unable to confirm at the time of
this writing a specific model or product line for golf
car-type vehicles, but as these vehicles are extended
beyond up-graded golf cars to what might character-
ized as a mini-car, the e-axle should be a prominent
component.
Elaphe, based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, produces a line
of in-wheel electric motors in a variety of sizes. The
smallest motor (or set of two motors for rear wheel
mounting) fits a 14-inch rim and generates 29.3 kw
of continuous power. In the array of small, task-ori-
ented vehicles, 14-inch rims are found mainly in the
off-road market, but customization of PTVs could
accommodate a larger rim and tire size.
As with the new technologies discussed above this
sampling of electric motors have multiple markets
throughout the spectrum of mobile applications.
Drop -in radical upgrades for older PTVs
Easier and less upgrades are real drop-in packag-
es are available for more immediate performance
improvements. Underlying, across the board, with
regard to mobile product electrification, is lithium
power. Without lithium batteries the entire concept
of mobile electrification is virtually a dead issue.
Lithium batteries are, of course, being extensively
Contact Steve at [email protected].
Or check out our website at www.smallvehicleresource.
com, where you will find an extensive database of vehi-
cle models and can make side-by-side comparisons of
vehicles based on a full set of specifications.
JUNE 2019
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