All-electric, hybrid approaches gain traction in aerospace | Hyundai Mobis turns to biobased, recycled materials | Philippines leans on coconut oil for biofuel
Joby and Archer Aviation are advancing air taxi services for short trips in the US and internationally. Meanwhile, companies like General Electric Aerospace and Electra are developing a series of hybrid aircraft for increased efficiency.
Global automotive supplier Hyundai Mobis is turning to sustainable materials sourced from recycling and biobased materials and using them in applications such as a protective cover for the lower arm of a vehicle's underbody. Based in South Korea, Hyundai Mobis also is deploying AI to consider new materials, which the supplier says could lead to "groundbreaking changes" in the development of materials.
The Philippines mandates a 3% coconut oil fuel blend, and the government is taking steps to boost production and is considering allowing the use of palm oil as an additional biofuel feedstock. Cheaper fuel for farm vehicles would cut the cost of producing rice, the country's staple crop.
Sales of new vehicles in the EU ticked up by a mere 0.2% in July, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. However, hybrid vehicles proved a popular option for European drivers as sales of hybrid electric vehicles rose 25.7% for the month, compared to a drop in sales for both EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs.
AeroVironment has received a potential $990 million US Army contract for its Switchblade loitering munition. The contract covers Switchblade 300 and 600 variants, fulfilling the Army's "Lethal Unmanned Systems" requirement.
J.D. Power predicted that sales of electric vehicles in the US will increase by 9% in 2024, trimming its previous forecast of 12.4% for the year. J.D. Power cited ongoing concerns such as the lack of public charging infrastructure and a greater variety of alternatives to EVs as reasons for the growth of EVs to proceed "in a less predictable, more volatile fashion."
Off-highway vehicles can benefit from hybrid powertrains, according to a discussion with John Deere and Eaton Mobility Group during a "The Future Role of Hybrids in Off-Highway Vehicles" webinar hosted by SAE. "We can deploy a large fleet of hybrid vehicles as an industry much faster than we can save on carbon emissions with battery-electric vehicles," said Mihai Dorobantu, director of technology planning and government affairs for Eaton Mobility Group.
Kentucky is launching the Wrong-Way Driving and Integrated Safety Technology System, designed to prevent wrong-way crashes on interstates. The pilot program will test cameras, radar and lidar technologies in Fayette and Jefferson counties, where wrong-way incidents are most frequent. Funded partially by a $5.14 million federal grant, the system will detect wrong-way drivers and alert other drivers and first responders in real time.
The General Electric Aerospace site in Rutland, Vt., is celebrating 50 years of its apprenticeship program with the graduation of nine participants from its Advanced Machinist Toolmaker Apprentice Program. Graduates completed thousands of hours of on-the-job training and classroom instruction at Vermont State University, fully funded by General Electric Aerospace.
SAE's resources on sustainability and emissions include test processes and measurement of regulated vehicle and engine tailpipe emissions, sustainable development, environmental factors and achieving equitable mobility for all. Dive into the Evolution of Sustainability & Emissions infographic to see how industry and academic professionals can depend on SAE publications to understand each phase of the evolution.
Join acoustical engineering experts in SAE's Vehicle Noise Control Engineering Academy, hosted in Troy, Mich., from Oct. 14 to 18. Participants can register for one of two tracks: Vehicle Interior Noise and Powertrain Noise. The academy will include workshops on sound quality and numerical methods, as well as a field trip to an OEM in the Detroit area. Learn more and register today.