Developing a new, global standard for delivering in-car entertainment in Partial Hybrid and Zero and Low Emission Electric Vehicles (PHEVs & ZLEVs)

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Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK

£1,861,230

June 30, 2020

Sept. 30, 2021

The automotive industry is undergoing massive transition to electrification. EU legislation (2019/631) requires car manufacturers (OEMs) to reduce fleet CO2 emissions by 15% by 2025 and 35% by 2030 & requires OEMs to sell 15% Zero-Low Emission Vehicles (ZLEVs) by 2025 and 35% by 2030\.

In developing market attractive ZLEV/PHEV's (Plug-in Hybrid), OEMs must save power & weight in every subsystem. OEMs, including Ford/JLR/VW, are also seeking green solutions.

Technology decisions for 2025 will be made over next two years, so innovation in this area needs to happen now.

Limitations to current state-of-art (power usage, weight, acoustic quality, etc.) present a significant opportunity for Warwick Acoustics (WAL) to establish a new global standard in audio delivery with a disruptive high-efficiency, low-weight, green, (also high-acoustic quality, design-enabling) electrostatic speaker modules (ESM).

WAL have completed initial prototypes of Premium-ESM modules, however to enter the non-premium market, and for the benefits of the solution to be wide-reaching, WAL need to undertake R&D work to reduce the manufacturing costs of ESM.

Work completed to date suggests that WAL in collaboration with the University of Warwick (UoW), can produce simpler ESMs with acceptable performance for low-line audio-systems at significantly reduced cost & weight.

The collaboration is now seeking £372,402 of IUK funding to undertake a 15month Industrial Research project of modelling, electronics and structure re-design of their P-ESM to develop a lower cost ESM validated through testing to bring this early stage concept closer to market.

Success would provide platform to industrialise the technology, market-entry, bringing associated economic benefits to the Midlands and the rest of the UK.
This complex R&D project will advance state-of-the-art through technical innovations in:
1.electronics drive unit design variations
2.cell structure
3.materials composition (including adhesives)
4.manufacturing processes

Success of the project would see the revolution of the in-car cabin environment: meeting environmental agenda across broad range of vehicles with power efficiency improvements of \>50%; weight reduction of up to 50%; no use of Rare Earth Metals; significant cabin design flexibility, and in-cabin noise & audio quality improvements.

Ability to meet cost targets across all audio tiers will enable WAL to access most of the emerging economical/mid-priced PHEV/ZLEV market (£2.92BN opportunity), leading to increased company revenue and headcount.

Warwick Acoustics expects to pay \>£8.6MN in Corporation Tax by 2027, giving an excellent taxpayer ROI of \>£23 for every £1 of Taxpayer money granted. Job creation creating additional tax income.