It may not sound familiar to you DeepDrivebut it is a Munich-based start-up that is being closely watched in the automotive sector as it works on a more practical in-wheel electric motor (ready for mass production) for a future generation of more affordable and efficient electric vehicles, thanks to its dual-rotor technology.
They use a configuration of double rotor to produce huge amounts of torque from a compact, lightweight and inexpensive package. It can increase the range of electric vehicles and dramatically reduce the overall cost of ownership of an electric vehicle. They are already on the verge of undergoing road tests with the help of its neighbors: BMW.
Founded in 2021, DeepDrive is very optimistic about its patented dual-rotor technology. Typical motors do operate the rotor outside or inside the stator (the stationary part of a rotating machine), but the DeepDrive motor does both, sandwiching its stator between simultaneously operating inner and outer rotors. That greatly increases the torque and power produced from within the compact housing.
DeepDrive estimates that each motor can produce up to 2400 Nm. It does not require a gearbox and DeepDrive estimates that it is up to 20% more efficient compared to current electric motor technologies: they will support ranges of 800 km or more.
In-wheel motors are not a new concept and their advantages are well known. Obviously, they have problems such as excessive unsprung weight and high production costs. That is why they have not yet powered much more than prototypes. This is how DeepDrive intends to tackle these two problems:
- Unsprung weight:In addition to their very lightweight, compact and high power density design, their motors allow the size of the braking system to be reduced, partially offsetting the additional unsprung weight of the transmission.
- Cost:These motors have been developed from the ground up to be mass-produced and cost-effective to manufacture, using less magnetic and mineral content. They are easily scalable, from compacts to large SUVs.
The company also works with Continental on a unit of traction brake which integrates both the motor and braking hardware into a single plug-and-play component. The companies began by exploring hydraulic braking hardware and plan to develop a dry braking version and integrate the traction brake unit into a larger, integrated module with air suspension.
In addition to the in-wheel motor, DeepDrive has also developed a larger dual-rotor motor intended to operate in a centralized powertrain configuration, proving that its technology is flexible enough to meet the diverse needs of automakers.
You might think this wonderful new technology sounds too good to be true. But since it was unveiled at IAA Mobility in 2021, DeepDrive has attracted a lot of manufacturers, with BMW claiming it “could set new standards for electric mobility.” In fact, the German automaker led the $16 million funding round and we’ve already seen a rather sporty, camouflaged Neue Klasse coupe with four hub motors.
Karol Virsik, head of research for vehicle concepts and technologies at BMW Group, said: “The parts of the DeepDrive prototype far exceeded our specifications, which is truly unusual at such an early stage and with a completely new technology.” DeepDrive has already said it was working with eight of the top 10 automotive equipment manufacturers to get its engines into production by 2026.
