Annual Report 2016 - Mechanical Engineering

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Automotive Technology 179
Automotive Technology
Vehicle concepts – smart mobility – vehicle dynamics and control systems
– driver assistance and safety – electric vehicle components
Prof. Dr.-Ing.
Markus Lienkamp
n The research focus of the Institute of Automotive Technology is the
emerging field of mobility with a particular emphasis on electric mobility.
Therefore, the focus is not only on vehicle concepts but also on infra-
structure and market conditions as well as on powertrain technologies
and driver assistance systems.
Vehicle Components
The focus of the institute on e-mobility
creates a lot of chances and challenges in
the field of vehicle concepts. But not only
the European market has potential for new
concepts, also the sub-Saharan region of
Africa needs special concepts. Therefore,
the ‘aCar’ was developed with an eye to
the mobility problems of rural populations
in remote regions with weak infrastruc-
tures. The defined goal of the interdiscipli-
nary team is to provide a mobility concept
that helps stem the flood of migration from
the countryside to cities and to strengthen
the autonomy of rural areas.
The researchers emphasized adapt-
ability to possible uses, while designing
production processes to accommodate
local circumstances. The ‘aCar’ is to be
manufactured on location and will thus
support local and independent value
creation processes. An initial prototype
of the vehicle was presented in spring;
various components are currently under-
going testing. The interdisciplinary team
intends to build a second prototype in the
spring of 2017 based on the results. The
innovative concept was even honored with
the Bavarian State Prize for Electromobil-
ity in the Sustainable Product & Mobility
Concepts category in 2016.
Projects
n Fast development of carbon composite
vehicle structures (BIWCFRP)
n Region-specific assessment and selec-
tion of vehicle powertrain concepts
n aCar – vehicle concept for sub-Saharan
Africa
n Truck 2030 – TCO and emission
optimized concept for high-cube
transportation
n QuadRad (e-GAP)
The Institute of Automotive Technology
collaborates closely with universities from
all over the world. Every year students
are offered possibilities to work in col-
laboration with these universities on the
globalDrive international projects. In 2016
there are three teams of students from
TUM working together with teams from
India, Mexico and Singapur. The topics
cover a wide range starting with whole
vehicle concepts through to new chal-
lenges in collecting data.
Furthermore, the institute had the possibi­
lity to arrange a joint research workshop
in cooperation with the University of
Sao Paulo to bring together Postdocs
from different universities in Bavaria and
Brazil. New options for researchers from
both countries have been elaborated
to strengthen the scientific exchange
between universities on an international
level.
Phone +49.89.289.15345
Contact
The first prototype of the aCar
project