DriveLAB* teaching and training products - Developing and delivering a pilot stage to meet the needs of academic, SME and industry for the training of electrification topics

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Closed

Innovate UK
Innovate UK

£49,892

Feb. 1, 2022

April 29, 2022

The electric motors and power electronics sector is experiencing rapid growth and requires a step-change in workforce skills and knowledge to exploit the opportunities created by cross-industry electrification. Educational establishments do not currently offer coherent courses for electrification - often split between electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and materials engineering. Consequently, we have a massive shortfall in electrification-competent trainees and engineers in the UK market. DriveLAB\* based training is a key tool to support the re-training and re-skilling of new and existing workforces to become productive in electrification industries.

DriveLAB\* Product Overview:

_"DriveLAB\*, in a nutshell, is a hands-on safe-voltage modular electric motor that helps accelerate the skills and learning of electric machines design and manufacturing"_

• Modular Electric Motor Teaching Kit, easily configured to demonstrate up to 12 motor topologies

• Interchangeable rotor and stator kits and add-ons available

• Unwound stators available for student winding projects

• Unique motor housing provides safe visual and operational access

• Configurable as a fully functional desktop dynamometer

• Safe design for assembly and disassembly with basic practical skills

Our proposed project will accelerate the roll out and validation of the DriveLAB\* system across three core areas of industry:

1: Academia

2: Small and medium businesses (supply chain)

3: Large scale OEM manufacturers

The unique DriveLAB\* modular motor product is specifically designed to expose and highlight core topics necessary to equip students and industry with abilities to design, specify, assemble and operate a wide variety of motor technologies. DriveLAB\* actively encourages trainees to connect their theoretical learning with practical hands-on experiences, developing valuable, lasting real-world insight.

The pilot phase of this product will involve professional teaching staff, training providers, engineering companies, vehicle manufacturers and will ensure a quick-start solution is available for all levels of skills from engineering courses, new-starters to experienced automotive practitioners. This will bring maximum value to the UK automotive industry, where it will support technology suppliers and OEMs in maintaining their competitive advantage. This comprehensive set of training tools has the potential to scale globally, helping to create and protect high value jobs in the UK.

Most importantly, by being a hands-on safe-voltage system, DriveLAB\* accelerates learning and development through an experiential teaching method. This aims to delivers skills growth at a faster pace than classroom training alone.