The Library
Development of automated and connected testing processes for electric vehicles
Tools
Mohanadass, Araan (2021) Development of automated and connected testing processes for electric vehicles. EngD thesis, University of Warwick.
|
PDF
WRAP_Theses_Mohanadass_2021.pdf - Submitted Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (4Mb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b3927963
Abstract
Electric vehicles provide a practical transportation solution to overcome emission and energy deficiencies posed by combustion vehicles. However, high product costs driven by the price of components and immaturity of the processes to create them reduce the product’s financial competitiveness. Manufacturers need to adapt their processes to develop cars more economically while adhering to emission requirements by legislative bodies. This EngD determined the estimated R&D cost saving made through innovating automated and connected technologies into the development process to reduce the development costs of vehicles holistically. The research targeted physical testing costs due to the potential increase in demand for testing to improve the characterisation of virtual models while the automotive industry transitions to vehicle electrification. The research established objectives to target human, capital and facility costs as significant cost drivers for physical testing. Three applications of automation and connected systems were ideated and investigated to evaluate the saving potential of each cost driver. Firstly, an automated dynamometer was designed and experimentally tested to demonstrate its capability in reducing man-hours for powertrain component testing. Secondly, a distributed test network was virtually modelled to understand the opportunities to supplement physical prototype vehicles by utilising connected component test facilities. Finally, an automated test management system with test case generation capability was proposed and evaluated to determine its capability to improve testing productivity. Using the results from each technology innovation and Jaguar Land Rover’s historical strategy, a numerical model identified an estimated saving of £225m across 12 vehicle models representing a net change of 1.71%. Changes in human resources demand were the most significant contributor toward total development cost savings. DTS and automated dynamometer innovations provided 90% and 9% of human resource cost-saving, respectively. The results suggested that these technological innovations would make only a marginal impact on saving for customers. Ultimately, a combination of further developing of these technologies to maximise application and saving made on other portions of the vehicle development process is necessary to bridge the gap between combustion and electric vehicle. However, the savings proposed would benefit manufacturers financially and allow them to also gain additional revenue by providing opportunities to release vehicle models marginally earlier.
Item Type: | Thesis (EngD) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Subjects: | T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics T Technology > TS Manufactures |
||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Electric vehicles -- Technological innovations, Electric vehicles -- Design and construction -- Costs, Costs, Industrial, Manufactures -- Costs, Dynamometer -- Design and construction, Electronic data processing -- Distributed processing | ||||
Official Date: | February 2021 | ||||
Dates: |
|
||||
Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
Theses Department: | Warwick Manufacturing Group | ||||
Thesis Type: | EngD | ||||
Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Greenwood, David G. | ||||
Sponsors: | Jaguar Land Rover (Firm) | ||||
Format of File: | |||||
Extent: | xxvii, 206 pages : colour illustrations | ||||
Language: | eng |
Request changes or add full text files to a record
Repository staff actions (login required)
View Item |