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Inside the cell walls The high cost of lithium-ion batteries is a prison that has largely kept electric vehicles off the street; the keys to their release are more effective—but not more expensive—cell chemistries.

Heavy-duty engine design What are the most significant factors influencing the way engine developers approach near-term design and development cycles? Two experts provide their insights from recent programs. Reducing winter range loss for electric trucks Researchers at the Austrian Institute of Technology have developed an air exchange system that's capable of reducing heat load by 37% in real-world tests. Narrower focus, bigger payoff Design teams are targeting focused markets for their commercial electric-vehicle programs to combat challenges like range and infrastructure. Removing complexity for autonomous trucks Narrowing the operating domains for driverless commercial vehicles reduces the requirements of autonomous technology and speeds time to market. Plastics innovations 2019 The 49th annual SPE Automotive Awards highlight the ongoing benefits of lightweight polymers and composites.

Editorial AV lidar enters a new reality The Navigator UNECE takes first step toward AV regulation Special Delivery - by 'Bot Michigan start-up Refraction AI aims to be the go-to for last-mile, semi-autonomous, all-weather delivery robots. Lidar Infiltrates ADAS Once considered a necessity only in fully autonomous vehicles, lidar sensors are now being evaluated for lower-level driver-assistance systems. Training Data-hungry AI Algorithms Large-scale data refinement is key to bringing more sophisticated automated-driving functions to series production. Simulation's Next Generation Do autonomous-vehicle developers have their simulation strategies all wrong? Some experts think so - but suggest there's a practical solution. Marelli's COVID-killing HVAC Insert With big implications for shared mobility, a new photocatalytic cabin-air purifier claims to kill viruses - including COVID-19. Is Ground-penetrating Radar Next for AV Sensing?

Editorial High noon for high-level autonomy The Navigator A fork in the road for the AV business The Electric, Autonomous Revolution Lifts Off Engineering the new generation of electric and hybrid vertical-take-off-and-landing vehicles at Wisk and Elroy Air. New SAE Standard for Automated-Driving Developers Developed in less than a year, SAE's new J3216 standard will impact traffic management, operations and safety for automated mobility. Making Data Logging, Replay and Prototyping More Efficient High levels of continuity and compatibility are vital to avoid interruptions in the development process - and reduce cost. Radar Death Star ELunewave's 3D-printed spherical antenna makes for fast, 360-degree single-snapshot readings that are claimed to beat the slower sweeps of conventional radar. The Case for FOTA in AV Data Security Firmware over-the-air data transmission helps OEMs drive secure vehicle autonomy.

Steel sector aids sustainability Volvo Group partners with SSAB on 'green steel' for off-highway machines and with Ovako for access to fossil-free hydrogen. CV autonomy: Picking the 'low-hanging fruit' Increasingly automated commercial vehicles offer challenges and opportunities in simulation, data management and standardization. Developing EV-specific lubes As electric-vehicle technology accelerates, dedicated e-fluids are necessary to maintain proper levels of drivetrain performance. Editorial Real-world emphasis on electric Mahle, Liebherr develop active pre-chamber for hydrogen ICE ABS ramps up commercial-vehicle battery-pack assembly Navistar updates A26 engine, improves FE by 4% Bosch debuts new CV-specific electric motor and inverter Western Star adds 'weight sensitive' 47X to vocational lineup Hyundai CE launches next-gen electric forklift Q&A Mahle's Laurent Art discusses thermal-management challenges, solutions for battery and fuel-cell electric commercial vehicles.

Material selection for battery enclosures Mass reduction is the main reason BEV makers choose aluminum for battery enclosures, but cost and thermal requirements favor steel and polymer composites. Startup targets medium-duty EVs Atlis Motors purpose-engineers nearly all the vital components for an electric pickup and platform capable of spanning several market segments. High-voltage hybrids FEV engineers evaluate 48V and high-voltage parallel hybrid architectures for Class 6-7 commercial vehicles. Certain setups show more promise than others. Hemphill's mission: Support the innovation ecosystem Schaeffler America CTO Jeff Hemphill brings impressive technical chops and well-honed communication skills to his new role as 2021 SAE International president.

No shortage of challenges Supply chain struggles join perennial challenges for Cummins' off-highway business, namely meeting shifting global emissions standards and satisfying emerging technology trends. Batteries not the only route to EV efficiency Allison CTO stresses efficiency and safety of propulsion units also are critical to reducing cost, improving performance and ultimately winning over customers. Batteries go underground A Saft expert evaluates various Li-ion chemistries and strategies - battery swapping vs. fast charging - for electric mining vehicles. Platooning: an evolving pathway to full autonomy Human-guided convoys can provide real-world benefits sooner than individual driverless trucks, but safety and operational issues still need to be resolved to optimize platoon configurations. Supplier Directory Complete listing of industry suppliers categorized by technology area.

Editorial Making Safety Standard The Navigator Sensor Monoculture is a Terrible Idea 3D-printed Radar Rises Toward Production Lunewave's unique Luneburg-lens technology aims to simplify vehicle radar arrays - and deliver better ADAS and AV performance. Accelerating Automotive Radar NXP's new, fifth-generation chipsets unleash 16-nm FinFet technology to the ADAS and AV markets. Autonomy's Computing Backbone Cloud-computing networks are speeding AV development and preparing to manage tomorrow's data-reliant AV fleets. Get in Line Evolving truck-platooning techniques are paving unique paths to high-level commercial vehicle autonomy. Ford in 'No-hands' Land BlueCruise hands-free driver-assist is available later this year for the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 pickup. ADAS-equipped Trucks Save Bucks Bosch research finds one specific driver-assistance feature may reduce costs associated with property damage by up to 35% for Class 7 and 8 trucks.

Help from above Cell towers and satellites enable people to keep equipment running. Cleaner and quieter diesels To meet tightening regulations, engineers are tasked with adding more and more components and systems to take away more and more emissions. Connecting sensors Suppliers and road construction OEMs have teamed to develop an application profile for sensor interfaces.

Engine electronics come of age Changes in global standards, combined with engineering know-how, have resulted in a new generation of clean, quiet, and efficient engines. Operators are rolling in the chips Microprocessors and sensors are being combined to monitor the way that equipment is being used, then help operators to perform better in that environment. Gaining weight Perkins' influence in the off-highway industry grows as it evolves its global engine lines and expands its presence in the U.S. What's new at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, Part 2 of 2 A preview of some of the products and technologies that will be displayed at this year's event, scheduled March 15-19 in Las Vegas, NV. Engineering a career Off-highway companies are challenged not only by the ever-changing technology landscape, but also by finding the engineering talent to help them succeed in it.

A 'defensive' approach Oshkosh Corp. is providing executive leadership for this year's SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress, placing more emphasis on the military and defense businesses, and how those activities align with the commercial vehicle industry. Hybrid and mighty Having gained popularity un the automotive sector, many suppliers of hybrid drives are engineering their battery-electric offerings for the off-highway market. Customers, in turn, are experiencing major gains in efficiency and economy. Finding off-highway's top model Modeling, simulation advances help engineers get complex design to market quickly. Roll your own Technological advances into autonomously controlled vehicles facilitate road trains and troop support.

Bosch Rexroth Executive Viewpoints-Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Off-Highway 2020 and Beyond- - Insights from the inside. Briggs & Stratton Executive Viewpoints-Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Off-Highway 2020 and Beyond- Collaborations will drive success in the future. Cummins Executive Viewpoints-Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Off-Highway 2020 and Beyond- Achieving more for less. Dana Executive Viewpoints-Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Off-Highway 2020 and Beyond- Off-highway realities. Delphi Executive Viewpoints-Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Off-Highway 2020 and Beyond- Communicating 2020 style. Eaton Executive Viewpoints-Vehicle Development Insights from Industry: Off-Highway 2020 and Beyond- My electronic crystal ball is full of hydraulic fluid.

Frankfurt (Hybrid) Motor Show Dual-power technology was driven through the doors of the huge German complex in a way that has never been seen before. Bringing good things to light Emerging lighting technologies deliver more design flexibility as they get brighter, smarter, and smaller. Tightening supply chain links Improved electronic tools and more outsourcing fuel increased collaboration. Extreme two-wheeler engineering American Motorcyclist Association Superbike racing spurs development of truly super street bikes. Engineering for the aftermarket Suppliers that serve the OE market are setting their sights on the growing market for customization.

Winning the war for talent The conclusion of AEI's two-part series looks at how industry, academia, and professional groups are working together to close the "knowledge gap" in vehicle electrification. Partnering on infotainment Services are expected to rise as technical collaboration and available bandwith increase. Nissan Leaf The Japanese company first saw the potential of lithium-ion batteries for vehicular use in 1992, and almost two decades later is about to deploy the technology. Honda Insight Developed to be attainable for Gen Y buyers, the 2010 Insight is a major piece in Honda's hybrid-portfolio plans. Heavy-duty issues Top industry insiders provide their perspectives on crtical issues such as sustainability, workforce development, and future growth at this year's Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress and Exhibition.

A sense of safety Engineers are looking to combine radars of different ranges, cameras, and sophisticated controls to prevent collisions. Priming the green-car pump In a "perfect storm of opportunity," billions of dollars in federal funding are flowing toward next-generation, made-in-the-U.S. hybrid and electric-vehicle technology. Re-engineering the auto engineer The electrification of the vehicle is boosting demand for engineers with new competencies and skill sets. In Part 1 of this special two-part feature series, AEI examines why the industry needs to encourage and develop its most critical resource-people. Aerodynamics soar Automakers toil to minimize drag and maximize fuel economy.

Spoilt for choice The auto industry's options list includes biofuels, hydrogen, hybrids, fuel cells, and batteries--but will it be all, or nothing at all? Moving eastward The automotive industry spreads and grows, suppliers move to east Europe, environmental issues are crucial--and the companies survive that get everything right. Hands-on solution to reduce emissions Literally driving the environmental necessities home may support technology in engines old and new. Cutting emissions: more answers than questions The European auto industry is struggling with alternative fuels and emissions reduction programs, but potential solutions are many and varied--any may become even more so. Hydrogen, the IC engine, and the future It may be the fuel of the future, but views vary about how hydrogen should be used.

CO2 changing focus The global economic crisis could trigger novel engineering solutions and the need for comprehensive testing. ZEVs, fuel cells, and high-tech engines Only 10% of cars on Europe's roads by 2020 may be zero-emissions vehicles, but Mercedes-Benz is supporting future ZEV and other advanced technologies with an undiminished R&D budget. Warning signs Design and engineering lead-time tightening may be strangling innovative thinking, says Royal College of Art's Harrow. The decade ahead Renault anticipates that a majority of its powertrains will be downsized to the 0.9- to 1.2-L range and that electric cars will appeal to 30% of the buying public. Automatic for the people Automatic-shifting dual-clutch transmissions are poised to grab share from traditional transmissions thanks to their combination of efficiency and convenience.

NAIAS production vehicles The strength of light trucks and crossovers in North America was on display as a majority of the all-new vehicles debuting at the events were for those segments of the industry. This special edition of Global Vehicles provides highlights of new-vhielce technology for 2003 and beyond. Volvo XC90: AEI's Best Engineered Vehicle for 2003 The new model raises the safety and environmental compatability bars for SUVs. Leading the way Fuel-cell vehicles from Toyota and Honda are hitting the streets for customer use in both Japan and the U.S. AEI Tech 2003 Awards Automotive Engineering International highlights the top products and technologies (submitted as of February 18) from the SAE 2003 World Congress. Introducing Dr. Jack E. Thompson, SAE President for 2003 A change agent with early roots in the automotive industry gets in the Society's driver seat.

Cars become more understanding Software and hardware advances are enabling voice-recognition technologies to rise to industry challenges. Wanted: Broader knowledge, new skills Continuous learning is a must for engineers to meet greater technology and productivity challenges -- and boost their own marketability. Seeing green Environmental and cost benefits are driving the auto industry to adopt materials derived from renewable sources such as soybeans and corn. Searching for fossil-fuel alternatives Future engine and drivetrain programs at Volkswagen are focused on alternative fuels and radical changes to engine combustion, but the battery may yet provide the light at the end of the technology tunnel. Emissions rules keep labs humming As long as there are regulations, engineers and technicians will be busy running tests in laboratories.

Production preview from Detroit Attendees of the 2005 North American International Auto Show in the "Motor City" this January were treated to nearly 70 vehicle introductions, 24 of which were worldwide production cars and trucks. AEI editors present the technical highlights of some of the more significant 2005 and 2006 production vehicles. Significantly this year, the cars we've highlighted outnumber trucks by more than two to one. DSPs start progressing Math processors will help to provide more functionality in the cabin and improve motion contorl throughout the vehicle. Sliding doors the Toyota way Door openings are about more than hinges and pillars, according to the Japanese automaker. Accelerating technology Hybrid technology is gaining in popularity, broadening its scope to embrace performance, and driving industry collaborations.