C OVER STORY INTRODUC TION

VEHICLE CONCEP TS

Innovations for Urban Mobility

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Vehicle Concept for the Urban Mobility of Tomorrow

autonomous cars 24 “Even will always need seats”

Wheel 28 Transmission-equipped Hub Motor for Passenger Cars

Otmar Scharrer, Marco Warth,

Interview with Andreas Maashoff

Shin Yamamoto, Ryuho Morita,

Achim Wiebelt, Daniel Rieger [Mahle]

[Adient]

Mitsuru Oike [NSK]

© Yongyuan Dai | Getty Images | iStock

The latest vehicle concepts for city use both now and in future need to be assessed on the basis of a number of criteria. Firstly they must be small and efficient. Large and intimidating SUVs are no longer required. In addition, they must not produce any emissions that will contribute to climate change. One option is the use of agile city cars with battery electric drive systems that produce zero local emissions and run on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power while they are in town. Electric wheel hub motors are an ideal solution in this context. They have the potential to reduce the weight of the vehicle and increase active safety as a result of their improved traction control. In addition, this type of drive concept frees up space in the interior and gives a more comfortable ride. Recent development projects have reduced the size of electric motors while at the same time increasing the torque they produce, which makes new compact vehicle concepts possible. Drivers also want compact, cost-effective, comfortable cars that produce very little noise for use in an urban environment. The size of two-seater electric cars can be kept to a minimum with improved packages and drive systems, which means that they will need less room to park in the city. As a result, the space in parking garages can also be used more effectively. A folding bicycle or an electric skateboard can be kept in the car to cover the last few hundred meters to the workplace or the shopping mall. Innovative vehicle concepts are needed to meet end consumers’ future urban transport requirements. Car sharing and autonomous driving will lead to changes in the traffic on our roads and in the interior of vehicles. Both the driver and the passengers can spend their time in the car on other activities. Because drivers do not need to have their hands on the wheel at all times, they will want newly designed interiors and seat systems that allow them to work and to relax in their cars. Michael Reichenbach

ATZ worldwide

03|2018

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