TECH INSIDER | PROTEAN 360
model
A revolutionary all-in-one, in-wheel module that
delivers 360° maneuverability and enhanced accessibility
could be the perfect solution for the future of mobility
WORDS: JAMES BILLINGTON
The in-wheel motor has literally been
propelling the development of new
electric vehicles and applications for
years. Yet, there was a time when
Protean Electric’s chief technology officer,
Chris Hilton, thought the EV market might
never see them in action.
“We really suffered from the electric vehicle
market in general not taking off,” says Hilton
who has spent the last 11 years working on
their development.
Now, with autonomous mobility on the
horizon the technology could be set for
a revolutionary role.
“There’s an impending disruption of
transport-as-a-service from the autonomous
vehicle market. The whole picture coming
together is fantastic for us, as in-wheel motors
play an integral part of the solution,” he claims.
As the industry envisions electric-powered
driverless pods that shuttle passengers and
goods around urban environments, engineers
are seeking an ideal drivetrain solution, and
Protean Electric might have just cracked it.
The US-based company, which specializes
in in-wheel technology, has come up with the
Protean360+, a concept do-it-all wheel module
that includes a powertrain, brakes, inverter,
suspension and steering into one unit.
As well as being able to automatically
lower to kerb height for accessibility, it’s party
piece, is the ability to turn in an infinite circle
in the space of its own footprint, thanks to
drive-by wire steering. This means incredible
maneuverability in tight city spaces.
On paper, it sounds too good to be true but,
as Chris Hilton, modestly explains, it combines
“technology we’re very familiar with and seen
before in various forms.” Yet, despite the
familiarity, cramming so many components
into a single unit wasn’t straightforward.
“Combining the number of technologies
into one module was a challenge. On top of
the motor, inverter, friction brake, we’re also
adding a bespoke suspension system, and
steer-by-wire unit that can turn infinitely
without cables becoming twisted. We had to
perform a few innovations to make it work but
one of its big achievements is the in-wheel
motor, which we had to fit in,” Hilton says.
Power is supplied by the ProteanDrive
pd18 in-wheel motor, which offers a hightorque,
low-speed performance from an 80kW
permanent-magnet synchronous motor. The
unit is designed to fit inside a typical 18in
wheel, and also features an integrated inverter,
a dedicated liquid cooling circuit, as well as
a friction brake disc and caliper for
regenerative braking.
The huge benefit of having
all drivetrain, suspension
and steering systems
built-into into one module
and installed in each
corner means the cabin
space within the vehicle
can be maximized,
which is useful for TaaS
applications to offer more
seating or goods space.
28 // July 2019 // www.electrichybridvehicletechnology.com
From concept to reality
As the 360+ is a concept, no physical models
have actually been produced. Therefore, Hilton
and his team have had to rely on digital models
and simulation for its development.
“So far, all our testing is digital. We don’t
actually have a physical sample to perform
real-world testing on a vehicle, but that will
come next year. Right now, we’ve done quite
a lot in the digital environment just to show its
engineering can withstand the stresses and
forces we’re expecting the module to be subject
to,” Hilton explains.
“The next step for the 360+ module is to
create a physical prototype, with a sample
of them in working action next year. We’re
currently in discussions with a number of
potential customers, who we cannot name,
and from there we look at its packaging and
the requirements for their application. From
there, it’ll go into the more rigorous and typical
testing cycle.”
For this phase of the module’s development,
Hilton hints that the company may decide to
work with third-party suppliers (so far it has all
be produced in-house), but he was unable to
reveal the overall cost of the technology.
“We have no projections for cost at the
moment but if I relate it to our in-wheel
motor work, typically two of these
are slightly more expensive
than a single electric motor
with a differential and axle,
but there are system level
benefits that outweigh that
on a cost front. We think
the 360+ module, at a
system level, will offer
the owners a lower total
cost of ownership than
alternative solutions.”
Roll
/www.electrichybridvehicletechnology.com