EnglishNews
NIO selects high-efficiency SiC traction power modules from onsemi
SiC-based VE-Trac modules provide next-generation electric vehicles with longer range, higher efficiency and faster acceleration
onsemi announced that global automotive innovator NIO Inc. chose the latest VE-Trac™ Direct SiC power modules from onsemi for its next-generation electric vehicles (EVs). The silicon carbide (SiC)-based power modules enable longer range, higher efficiency and faster acceleration for EVs. The collaboration of the two companies is expediting the commercialization of SiC technologies to bring EVs equipped with advanced semiconductor material to the market.
At the heart of an EV, the main traction inverter converts battery energy into large amounts of torque and acceleration. The VE-Trac Direct SiC is an integrated single side direct cooling (SSDC) power module in a six-pack configuration with a low turn on resistance of 1.7 mohm. This platform implements the second generation SiC MOSFET technology from onsemi to achieve new levels of performance, efficiency, and quality while sharing a compatible package footprint with its IGBT predecessor. An integrated pin fin baseplate enables direct liquid cooling and easy assembly which allows maximum power output and more efficient thermal dissipation.
“From all the solutions we considered, the VE-Trac Direct SiC traction power modules offered the best efficiency during testing, allowing us to extend our New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) range by 4% compared to the current silicon solution,” said Alan S. Zeng, senior vice president at NIO. “onsemi convinced us with the high performance and reliability of its products as well as the excellent support from its engineering and management team. We look forward to collaborating with onsemi on bringing more innovative EVs to market for generations to come.”
The VE-Trac offerings, including previously introduced VE-Trac Dual and VE-Trac Direct platforms, are available in silicon-based IGBT and in SiC with various voltages, and for traction inverter power ranging from 100 to 250 kW. With its standardized mechanical footprints and expanded power ratings, the VE-Trac product family is designed to effortlessly scale EV power outputs, accelerating the adoption of hybrid and battery EVs (BEV).
“This design collaboration is the culmination of substantial efforts onsemi has put into developing the right technologies for emerging applications such as smart EVs,” said Simon Keeton, executive vice president and general manager of Power Solutions Group at onsemi. “onsemi is the only supplier of silicon carbide solutions with vertical integration capability including SiC boule growth, substrate, epitaxy, device fabrication, best-in-class integrated modules and discrete package solutions. We are rapidly expanding our SiC capacity and are uniquely positioned to address the growing EV market with supply assurance, performance, quality and tailored SiC end solutions.”
NIO is a pioneer in the premium smart EV market, thanks in part to its unique Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS), a breakthrough innovation in both technology and business model. The carmaker, who is leading the wave of smart EV and BEV adoptions in China, is gaining significant market share and aiming to change the way consumers use these vehicles and elevate their entire ownership experience.
모빌리티(Mobility)의 미래 비즈니스 전략을 찾다
- 모빌리티타임즈 (mobilitytimes.net)
EnglishNews
Teradyne Robotics and Siemens Showcase the Future of U.S. Automation at MxD
This collaboration is designed to highlight the future of automation in the U.S. through cutting-edge robotics and AI-driven industrial automation solutions.
Innovative robotics and AI-driven automation solutions highlight advancements in manufacturing technology
Teradyne Robotics, a division of Teradyne and a global leader in advanced robotics, has partnered with Siemens to establish an interactive robotics showcase at the MxD (Manufacturing x Digital) innovation center in Chicago, Illinois. This collaboration is designed to highlight the future of automation in the U.S. through cutting-edge robotics and AI-driven industrial automation solutions.
Located in Chicago, MxD serves as a central hub for digital manufacturing and cybersecurity in the United States, housing some of the most advanced manufacturing technologies in the world. Siemens, a founding member of MxD, will utilize its extensive expertise in digital threads and AI-powered robotics use cases to enhance the customer experience, creating an immersive environment for exploring the future of manufacturing.
“The groundbreaking automation innovations of the future won’t come from one single company but from close cross-technology ecosystem collaborations,” stated Ujjwal Kumar, Group President of Teradyne Robotics. “We are excited to deepen our strategic partnership with Siemens, as together, we continue to shape and accelerate the future of industrial automation.”
Building on previous collaborations, this initiative further strengthens Teradyne Robotics’ presence in North America. It aligns with Siemens’ commitment to expanding automation capabilities across industries. Teradyne Robotics, including collaborative robot (cobot) specialist Universal Robots and autonomous mobile robot (AMR) provider MiR, is positioned as a pivotal partner for Siemens in advanced robotics and automation.
Rainer Brehm, CEO of Factory Automation at Siemens Digital Industries, commented, “Our collaboration with Teradyne Robotics comes to life at MxD, where we provide our customers with a view into the future of automation, powered by new AI-driven technologies. This partnership will create a seamless pathway between robotics and automation for our clients.”
At MxD, Teradyne Robotics companies Universal Robots and MiR will showcase various robotics and automation technologies, including the compact UR5e cobot, new-generation cobots UR20 and UR30, a MiR 250 autonomous mobile robot, and an innovative mobile cobot. The showcase is set to replicate real-world factory lines, covering diverse applications from consumer-packaged goods and aerospace to cleanroom and semiconductor manufacturing environments. Visitors to MxD will experience how these advanced technologies can be applied to drive efficiency and innovation in their operations.
Collaborating to enhance interoperability
In April of this year, Universal Robots announced it had integrated PI’s Standard Robot Command Interface (SRCI) into its software enhancing the connectivity capabilities of UR’s cobots and ensuring customers a frictionless integration with SIMATIC Automation system, which are supporting the PROFINET SRCI standard.
Similarly, MiR is currently working together with SIMOVE, the Siemens standardized platform for Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) and AMRs applications and solutions, to define a VDA 5050 adapter. This collaboration will enhance interoperability at Siemens sites and Siemens’ customer sites, and ensure streamlined integration between MiR robots, other mobile equipment and the SIMOVE system.
Also in April this year, UR and Siemens introduced joint customer references for groundbreaking advancements in AI-enabled robotics, created to revolutionize intra-logistics fulfillment and address the challenges posed by a shrinking labor pool and rising operational costs. By combining Siemens’ advanced AI vision technology, SIMATIC Robot Pick AI, with UR’s industry-leading cobots the collaboration enables effortless robotic picking of any item.
모빌리티(Mobility)의 미래 비즈니스 전략을 찾다
- 모빌리티타임즈 (mobilitytimes.net)
EnglishNews
Bosch Introduces Real-Time Road Hazard Service to Enhance Traffic Safety
Bosch has launched an innovative road hazard service designed to significantly improve road safety by providing real-time warnings to drivers about potential dangers
Cloud-based real-time service increases road safety and considerably reduces the risk of accidents
Bosch has launched an innovative road hazard service designed to significantly improve road safety by providing real-time warnings to drivers about potential dangers. Initially rolled out in millions of passenger vehicles across Europe in June 2024, the service will be available in Mercedes-Benz Trucks starting in December 2024. This cloud-based system alerts drivers to various road hazards, including accidents, wrong-way drivers, slippery roads, poor visibility, heavy rain, and wind, as well as broken-down vehicles.
Dr. Markus Heyn, a member of Bosch’s board and chairman of its Mobility business sector, emphasized the importance of the service, stating, “Our predictive road hazard service alerts drivers to dangerous conditions well in advance, helping them avoid critical situations.” In commercial vehicles, the system can also assist in rerouting drivers to avoid emerging dangers, thus enhancing both safety and efficiency.
How Bosch’s Road Hazard Service Works
The system relies on anonymized data collected from millions of vehicles in Bosch’s global customer fleet, as well as data from third-party sources like weather services and road operators. Fleet vehicles equipped with the service provide real-time information such as local temperatures, the activation of windshield wipers, and accident reports. For instance, if several vehicles in an area have their wipers on at full speed, the system cross-checks this data with weather reports to determine whether conditions like aquaplaning might be a risk. If so, the driver is warned to reduce speed.
The system can also detect when visibility is compromised, such as in fog, by analyzing the use of rear fog lights in affected vehicles. Bosch’s algorithm then determines if a warning should be issued to help drivers navigate safely.
Additionally, the service includes a wrong-way driver alert, notifying drivers if they are at risk of encountering or becoming a wrong-way driver themselves.
Integrated with Bosch’s Connected Map Services
The road hazard service is part of Bosch’s broader connected map services, which aim to increase both safety and convenience for drivers. These services combine data from multiple vehicles to enhance driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control and emergency braking. For instance, when roads are wet or slippery, the service helps the vehicle initiate emergency braking earlier than usual to prevent accidents.
Connected map services play a crucial role in advancing assisted and automated driving. They provide an extra layer of data beyond traditional radar and video sensors, ensuring that vehicles receive all the necessary information for safe driving, even in challenging conditions. This system enhances the vehicle’s ability to predict and respond to road conditions, making driving both safer and more efficient for everyone on the road.
모빌리티(Mobility)의 미래 비즈니스 전략을 찾다
- 모빌리티타임즈 (mobilitytimes.net)
EnglishNews
Semikron Danfoss and Headspring Develop Compact, High-Efficiency Power Conversion Systems Optimized for ESS Applications
Semikron Danfoss brings extensive expertise and innovation in power electronics to the ESS market
As the deployment of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) accelerates, there is a critical need for compact and high-efficiency Power Conversion Systems (PCS) optimized for ESS applications. To address this requirement, Semikron Danfoss K.K. (after this “Semikron Danfoss”) and Headspring Inc. (after this “Headspring”) have joined forces to develop advanced PCS solutions specifically for ESS, targeting mass production by 2026.
Energy Storage Systems are essential components for renewable energy and power grids, ensuring resilience and stable supply. The global ESS market is projected to grow by 20%-30% annually, with expectations to exceed 400 GWh of storage systems worldwide by 2030. This exponential growth is driven by the increasing share of renewable energy in the grid, necessitating the accelerated deployment of ESS solutions for stable grid operation.
To address this rapidly growing market, Semikron Danfoss is developing a series of adaptable power solutions. Central to this initiative is the ANPC (Active Neutral Point Clamping) topology for ESS, which demonstrates a significant performance improvement by reducing power loss by over 50% compared to traditional NPC/MLI topologies. However, to fully harness the potential of ANPC technology, collaboration with Headspring is crucial. Headspring’s expertise in high-speed controller technology is vital for effectively controlling ANPC systems and ensuring optimal performance.
Semikron Danfoss: Leading the Charge in ESS Technology
Semikron Danfoss brings extensive expertise and innovation in power electronics to the ESS market. Their ANPC technology in LF/HF configuration, featuring a hybrid circuit of silicon IGBTs and silicon carbide MOSFETs, significantly enhances efficiency and cost performance. The availability of ANPC power modules in PCB-mountable, industry-standard housings reduces both material and assembly costs, making them ideal for high-volume production. The ANPC power modules provided by the SEMITOP E2 platform offer superior thermal performance, contributing to the downsizing and high-capacity PCS for ESS. Semikron Danfoss aims to set new benchmarks in ESS performance and value with their comprehensive design package that supports improvements in both hardware and software.
Headspring: Mastering High-Speed Real-Time Control
Headspring excels in developing high-speed real-time controllers essential for power electronics applications. Headspring’s controllers combine commercial microcontrollers with FPGA technology, providing flexible programming tailored to the specific demands of power electronics applications. Headspring has participated in the Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) “Energy Systems for an IoT Society by Japan’s Cabinet Office,” leading the development of ultra-high-speed controllers for power electronics. These controllers, integrating high-speed multi-core CPUs, high-performance FPGAs, and high-speed AD converters, achieve a feedback control performance of 50MHz, approximately 1000 times faster than conventional systems.
In This Collaboration
Semikron Danfoss and Headspring are collaborating to develop a compact, high-efficiency PCS tailored for large-scale, scalable ESS applications by integrating Semikron Danfoss’s ANPC technology-based power modules with Headspring’s advanced controller technology. Semikron Danfoss will offer the expertise for developing the power stack, which includes power modules, drive circuits, and coolers, while Headspring will be responsible for the controllers, peripheral circuits, software, and PCS integration.
This synergy aims to create an ESS-specific PCS with optimized cost, efficiency, and size. A primary goal is to enable containerized ESS solutions to increase storage capacity per 20-foot container from 3.3MWh to 5MWh. This will establish a roadmap setting hardware and software benchmarks for ESS performance, delivering superior ESS solutions that promote the advancement of renewable energy technologies.
모빌리티(Mobility)의 미래 비즈니스 전략을 찾다
- 모빌리티타임즈 (mobilitytimes.net)
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