Aachen Colloquium Automobile and Engine Technology: FEV Presents “Zero CO2” Technologies and Autonomous Driving

ACK 2017: the focus of the exhibit is FEV’s own smart vehicle fleet, which has a Vehicle-2-Network connection and an extensive sensor system (Source: FEV Group)

EVA presents a stationary energy storage system for renewable energies that gives used vehicle batteries a second life (Source: FEV Group)

Global engineering service provider FEV showcases its expertise and tools related to autonomous and connected vehicles at this year’s 26^th Aachen Colloquium Automobile and Engine Technology. The focus of the exhibit is FEV’s own smart vehicle fleet, which includes Vehicle-2-Network connections and an extensive sensor system. A vehicle in the fleet demonstrates object detection using the vehicle sensor system at the FEV booth. A second vehicle shows the data processing and its conversion into direct driving orders as part of an autonomous test drive at the nearby Aldenhoven Testing Center. This test drive is streamed to the booth via the Vehicle-2-Network connection of the vehicle.
In addition to autonomous driving, the developers are also focusing on e-mobility: FEV is showing two different electric drive systems and a stationary energy storage system made from recycled electric vehicle batteries.

"Our presence at this year’s ACK will provide a cross-section of FEV’s range of services, with special focus on those technologies that will define mobility in the future," says Professor Stefan Pischinger, President and CEO of the FEV Group. “In addition to the electric drive forms currently generating much discussion, these include automated drive functions and connectivity solutions for operation as emission-free as possible.”

Smart Vehicle Fleet as an Important Tool
For the first time, FEV will present its automated smart vehicle fleet at the ACK. The vehicles are part of an FEV project that is being carried out at various worldwide locations. Thanks to their general Vehicle-2-Network connection and extensive sensor system in the form of radars and LiDAR sensors, various cameras, GPS, and differential GPS, these vehicles are high-performance tools to master challenges such as the integration of new functions, interfaces, and components. They offer a wide range of possibilities – for FEV as well as for partners and customers. “As a flexible platform, these vehicles play an important role in the development and optimization of our control algorithms," explains Stephan Tarnutzer, Vice President of Electronics and Head of the "Smart Vehicle" Center of Excellence at FEV. "They thus enable our engineers to make their innovations in ADAS and automated driving features more tangible. Furthermore, this platform can also be offered to partners and customers for joint ‘proof-of-concepts’ and to demonstrate new technologies and features." Using a live stream achieved solely through the Vehicle-2-Network connection of the vehicle, the autonomous test drive will be broadcast at the FEV booth and can be followed there in real time.

Electric Drive Systems for Various Use Cases
To reduce the complexity of conventional e-drive systems consisting of engine-transmission units and a separate inverter, FEV presents two solutions that combine transmission, e-machine, and power electronics in one compact casing. Both systems are suitable for e-drives, battery electric vehicles or P4 hybrids in passenger cars and light-duty vehicles.

A very compact solution is represented by FEV‘s coaxial, highly-integrated single-speed version with an additional neutral actuator. The integrated e-motor provides a performance of 230 kW and a wheel torque of around 3,500 Nm. In development, special focus was placed on the cooling and lubrication system: e-motor, inverter and transmission use a common circuit that is fed through a low-pressure centrifugal pump with very low power consumption. The system can be used as e drive or as electrified rear axle in hybrid vehicles.

Rapid market launch times realized with use of serial components were in focus of the development of the second e-drive system. The system features a dual-speed transmission with powershift capability, to realize electric driving also with high vehicle speeds. Thanks to an off-axis alignment of the e-motor, the system offers an additional degree of freedom when choosing an efficient gear transmission ratio.

Both solutions support recuperation and sailing and are scalable with regard to performance and torque. Therefore, they can be applied to various vehicle types and versions.

Stationary Energy Storage System Using Electric Vehicle Batteries
EVA Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH, which was only integrated into the FEV Group in September, incorporates another aspect of e-mobility: EVA presents a stationary energy storage system for renewable energies that gives used vehicle batteries a second life. The storage systems are of interest for private households, but are also suitable at larger construction levels for industrial companies to cover all or part of their requirements using their own solar panel systems or wind turbines.

Discussion Platform: "Zero CO₂ Mobility" Conference
Approximately one month after this year’s ACK, FEV will be holding its own conference for the first time on the topic of “Zero CO₂ mobility.” This conference will offer a platform for strategic discussion on the potential and performance of various forms of energy storage – from battery technologies to eco- and e-fuels.
"Increasingly, the experts agree on the conclusion that, while propulsion system electrification is an important component of the solution, it is not the only approach for achieving CO₂-neutral mobility," explains Professor Stefan Pischinger, as chairman of this conference. "In particular, when “well-to-wheel” rather than “tank-to wheel” efficiency is considered, alternative fuels become increasingly interesting as solutions.”

Interested parties can consult the program and find the registration form under: www.fev.com/zero-co2-mobility