Gordon Murray Design has joined forces with Delta Motorsport and itMoves on the development of a new single-seater autonomous pod car that it claims could have a major impact on the world of personal transportation and last mile delivery.
Part-funded through the UK-government’s ‘IDP14’ programme, and unveiled at this week’s MOVE 2020 event in London (11 – 12th February), the vehicle, dubbed MOTIV, has been developed for adaptation to driverless use with any form of autonomous technology and is claimed to be the first of its kind to offer this degree of integration simplicity.
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The pod is based on Gordon Murray Design’s iStream Superlight technology, which uses ultra-lightweight high strength extruded aluminium in the chassis, composite panels and door, and aluminium suspension to ensure that vehicle weight is kept below 450kg (excluding batteries). It is built on an ultra-lightweight quadricycle vehicle platform that is designed to meet full passenger-car crash safety requirements. Thanks to its compact dimensions (the pod is 1.6m high, 2.5m long and 1.3m wide) the vehicle is claimed to offer greater flexibility than any of its rivals.
Powered by a 20kW electric motor, and equipped with a 17.3kWh liquid-cooled battery pack, the group says the vehicle has a potential range of up to 100km and will operate at speeds of up to 40mph (65kph). It is equipped with CCS charging capability and can recharge from 20 per cent to 80 per cent battery in 40 minutes.
The power, motors and control systems have been developed by vehicle dynamics specialist Delta Motorsport. The platform uses Delta’s drive-by wire dedicated vehicle control architecture that operates the steering, propulsion and braking.
“In developing the MOTIV, we’ve demonstrated that the future of mobility is lightweight, battery-powered and private. The control systems integrated into the platform prove that electrified vehicles need not be heavy and cumbersome, but can be lithe, lightweight and energy saving. MOTIV’s ‘plug-and-play’ high-voltage system makes it a truly viable solution to the world of autonomous driving” commented Delta’s Engineering Director Nick Carpenter, Engineering Director.
The third partner, mobility specialist itMoves was responsible for the vision behind MOTIV, including the vehicle concept, strategy usability and visual image.
Commenting on the project, Gordon Murray said: “MOTIV has the potential to transform future mobility. The best way to make any vehicle commercially viable and cost-effective, while delivering first-class efficiency, is to make it as light as it can be while retaining the highest levels of safety. With MOTIV we have used our iStream technologies to create an ultra-lightweight body structure that delivers a vehicle that is compact, refined, safe and versatile, while remaining capable of significant range.”
The consortium is now looking to carry out pilot studies with autonomous technology providers, and claims that MOTIV could be ready for mass production within two to five years.
. . . 20kW electric motor
. . . 17.3kWh liquid-cooled battery pack
. . . potential range of up to 100km
. . . speeds of up to 40mph (65kph)
I know I’m not an all-singing, all-dancing exponent of modern mathematics, but the mathematics seem significantly flawed here, unless I’m missing something (or they forgot to tell us about the two recharges en-route) . . .
Yes, it would be useful to know what speed you must drive to get 100km range, and whether you are allowed to stop and start any time during that trip!
Lovely graphics, but clearly you can’t drive 100km at 65kph if that speed uses 20 kW!
20kW electric motor refers to its rated power. It will not run at that power most of the time (only during max acceleration). Same way that a 230HP engine rarely runs at that power but rather spends most of the journey barely ticking over to maintain speed on the road.
Those figures do not seem realistic do they.
Also…
I’m not sure that I could handle 100km in that little pod 🙂
Typically you would not go 100km in the little pod.
That’s just an estimate of it’s capability during a typical day. surely it would be used for your final connecting journey and back, but may be used by another in the interim.
Ultimately it would take itself home if you didn’t need it for a while.
This is a great idea with boundless possibilities.
Lovely little concept. I’m sure some of the issues will be ironed out. It rather implied you have to charge it 2x1hr during the day to do 120km. I know why they did not show it raining as the interior will get rather wet when you get in or out in the rain, especially if you are a wheelchair use.!
The figures seem OK:
Tesla Model Y gives about 250wh/mile.
-> 1kwh/4miles
-> 20kwh/80miles
This vehicle is a lot smaller and ligher than the SUV style Model Y and will travel at lower speed causing less aerodynamic drag.
Shocking conclusion: Former F1 Engineer can do maths! 🙂
Hi All,
What the hell is this thing! Has Gordon lost the plot!
He used to design amazing looking products you dreamed of owning, not Tupperware on wheels!
I have a lot of respect for the concept and some of the design ideas, but it looks naff to say the least.
The real city car should look good and above all go the distance, range is the key.
We need a new power source/storage system, in order to get into electric in a big way.
In the mean time please please can we have some good looking nearly usable electric cars.
The vehicle ignores a significant part of its natural market place. It must start with 2 not 1 seat. A great many users will be married/partnered and will want to do things together. 1 seat, disregarding avoiding the other obvious flaws in the design will just not work. Get to work on creating widespread recharging and increased electrical supply instead otherwise, these electric vehicles, a concept fully supported by me, will just not get bought
Very impressive concept car. As john says it could possibly do with two seats. Or at lease a two seat version. The second seat could be made in such a way that it could be used for luggage space for customers who need to get to an airport etc…. The charging time should be solvable by using a battery that can be racked in and out. the car could then go to a garage and drive in. It then gets locked in a cage and a big industrial robot removes the battery and puts it in a charger and then rack in a charged one. Less than 5 min.
Another one in a long line of concept cars. Looks like an undergrad exercise. What is the USP? How can it claim to be ‘flexible’ ? Was government money involved, like Dyson’s?
Not normally one to read comments but subject seemed interesting but some of the comments from engineers! As a retired engineer, the concept seems fine (two people) – there is a large market for the older generation who do not want a full blown car with hundreds of mile range and a price to match, merely one to drive to town for shopping and socialising.