Panasonic showcases innovative technologies at CES

48V EPOWERTRAIN & SPACE_C

The "48v ePowertrain Platform" that Panasonic introduced in CES 2018 has evolved. With the same volume, the new powertrain boasts double the output and will help make compact EVs more lightweight, maximise cabin space, and extend travel distance.

SPACe_C, which is comprised of the 48v ePowertrain Platform (drive unit) can be combined with a variety of cabins (interior unit). It provides a solution that expands possibilities for mobility by reducing costs and responding to multiple purposes. SPACe_C is an acronym for Sharing, Pod, Autonomous, Connected, e-Mobility, and Community (concept keywords for small mobility vehicles).

The eMobility "SPACe_C" demonstrates how it will serve as a basic infrastructure that connects products and people, and support people's lives and revitalise communities. As an example of how this solution may be applied, Panasonic had on display a "SPACe_C eMart" equipped with a refrigerated cabin, which is introducing a solution that can deliver fresh food to consumers' desired locations.

Global demand for EVs is expected to expand rapidly, along with a wide variety of new mobility, which suit various lifestyles and uses in each region. The platform Panasonic developed is an energy-efficient, safe powertrain that features integrated compactness, high efficiency, and flexible scalability. The platform will help reduce costs and lead time for vehicle development by scaling up or down the combination of basic units in accordance with vehicle specifications such as size, speed and torque.

The new platform consists of basic units, including a power unit (with an on-board charger, junction box, inverter and DC-to-DC converter) and a motor unit. The output is 18 kW, which is double that of the conventional product (8 kW) for the same volume (output density: two-fold). This has been achieved by reviewing the motor design and cooling structure. The conventional product required parts that consisted of two units to attain the same output. Due to the increased output, the number of units required has been reduced to one, resulting in the reduced size of the platform. The new platform will help further reduce the weight of small EVs, increase cabin space, and extend driving range. The company will offer the new platform to various partners and continue to contribute to the widespread use of EVs and creation of new businesses.

SPACe_C is a small mobility vehicle based on a new concept that employs the new platform. It is designed to closely connect people with products and services, support people’s lives, propose new applications for small mobility vehicles in tourist and urban areas, and revitalize communities. The expected use case of SPACe_C is to deliver temperature controlled food, packages for a consumption and online world, serve to educate riders while moving to location, act as a meeting zone for busy professionals, become the next hot retail pop-up store as a delicious food truck to feed hungry travelers or merely for people to utilize to get around town.

The vehicle can be separated into upper and lower structures so that it can meet the needs for small mobility vehicles in various regions in the world. The upper structure is a cabin for transporting people and products, and for offering services. The lower structure is e-Torta, which serves as the basis for small mobility vehicles and includes the 48V ePowertrain platform. e_Torta is a coined word derived from Spanish by adding the Japanese concept of oyagame-kogame (a baby turtle on the shell of a parent turtle).This name is familiar-sounding to Japanese people and brings to mind the image of a parent turtle that carries a baby turtle (i.e., transport of people, products, and services).

"SPACE_L" (LIVING SPACE AUTONOMOUS CABIN)

In addition to automotive technologies that contribute to comfort, safety and security, and the environment, Panasonic is combining its technologies developed for lighting, air conditioning, air quality, seats, and various sensors with the expertise and know-how gained through Panasonic Group's housing business.

System Solutions Brought to Life to Harley-Davidson "LiveWire" Service

Harley-Davidson’s first electric motorcycle, LiveWire will be equipped with connected services. Panasonic provides the system solution that utilises its telecommunications unit (TCU) and OneConnect, connected service platform. This exhibit gave visitors an overview of Panasonic's system solution, with examples showing that riders will have access to (like checking their motorcycle's condition at all times as well as the ability to track the motorcycle in case of theft).

Electric Assist Bicycles

In cooperation with Kent International Inc., Panasonic will begin selling electric assist bicycles in the U.S. in the fiscal year ending in March 2020. Three models especially developed for the U.S. market using Panasonic Cycle Technology's electric assist bicycle drive unit were on display.

Intelligent Transportation Solution

Here, Panasonic is introduced the V2X platform, "CIRRUS by Panasonic" which will realize a connected mobility world. The CIRRUS by Panasonic platform is an open architecture, enabling a wide range of partners and strategic alliances. Panasonic has recreated a network operation center to demonstrate the proof of concept work Panasonic is currently undertaking together with the Colorado Department of Transport (CDOT).

Automotive Cybersecurity

Panasonic is introduced a security system that can significantly reduce costs of identifying and fixing vulnerabilities. By combining an AI-assisted cyber-attack detection specifically developed for automotive applications, that the system can quickly detect cyber-attacks that are becoming more and more sophisticated, and SIEM, which analyses logs and makes threats visible.

Avionics NEXT

This section introduced NEXT, a new generation in-flight service platform, as well as a concept passenger seat that supports a comfortable in-flight experience under the theme "Wellness."