Unmanned Systems Technology 019 | Navya Autonom Cab | Batteries | UGVs Insight | UAV Factory UAV28-EFI | Swiss Aerobotics Hummel | UMEX 2018 report | Antennas | Oceanology International 2018 report

32 Energy and propulsion With a capacity of either 22 or 33 kWh, the battery pack is based on LiFePO4 chemistry and supplies current to an asynchronous electric motor from ABM Greiffenberger with a nominal rating of just 15 kW and a peak rating of 25 kW. The company claims an average endurance of 10 hours. With a 16 A charging current, it takes about 9 hours to charge up to 90% capacity, falling to 5 hours with a 32 A charging current. It can be charged at temperatures ranging from 0 to +40 C and operate in temperatures from -10 to +40 C. The powertrain gives the 2500 kg vehicle a current top speed of 88.5 kph and the ability to climb a 13% gradient, although a more city-friendly 48.3 kph is expected to be the normal maximum in operation. Navya says it chose fully electric instead of hybrid propulsion for the Cab because in urban environments zero emissions, quietness and efficiency at low speeds and in stop-start traffic are major advantages, while elimination of the engine and fuel system allows more efficient use of internal space. The company also cites the simplicity of a single drivetrain that needs no gearbox. As it’s a taxi, a good turning circle is vital, and the company quotes a radius of 5.5 m for the 4.65 m long, 1.95 m wide, 2.1 m high vehicle. The items that require most maintenance attention are the mechanical components shared with conventional cars, and include tyre pressures, fluid levels, brake pads, cabin air filters and so on. However, there are some that apply to the cab as an autonomous electric vehicle, including software updates, sensor cleaning, checks on the electrical circuits along with visual inspections and torque checks on fasteners. Minor inspections are scheduled at six-month intervals, with full inspections and maintenance every 12 months or 10,000 km. The battery pack is expected to last for more than 2000 charge- discharge cycles. April/May 2018 | Unmanned Systems Technology Dossier | Navya Autonom Cab Length: 4.65 m Width: 1.95 m Height: 2.1 m Ground clearance: 0.2 m empty, 0.14 m fully loaded Tyres: 205/55 R19 Vehicle weight: 2000 kg Authorised maximum gross weight: 2500 kg Powertrain: electric front-wheel drive Electric motor: asynchronous Power: 15 kW nominal, 25 kW peak Maximum speed: 55 mph (88.5 kph) Normal operating speed: 30 mph (48.3 kph) Maximum gradient: 13% Battery: 22 kW or 33 kW LiFePO4 battery pack Charge time to 90% capacity: 9 hours at 16 A, 5 hours at 32 A Charging temperature: 0 to +40 C Operating temperature: -10 to +40 C Endurance: 10 hours Steering: electrically powered front-wheel steering Braking: electrically actuated hydraulic four-wheel disc brakes, electric regenerative braking on front wheels, parking brake and emergency brake also on front wheels Suspension: fully independent system at the front and trailing arms at the rear Turning radius: 5.5 m Chassis: box-section steel frame Body: composite panels Access: single electric sliding door Visual information: external LED panel, stretched TFT internal display screen Sound system: 12 HP + 4 x 80 W RMS Acoustic warning: buzzer/klaxon Safety: seat belts Short-range Lidars: three 360° multi-layer VLPs Long-range Lidars: seven 145° multi-layer Scalas Radars: four 77-79 GHz sensors Positioning and motion sensors: GNSS/GPS RTK system and central inertial measurement unit, odometry encoders on wheels and engine Security: four emergency stop buttons, automatic emergency brake, automatic parking brake, V2X comms Some key suppliers Electric motors: ABM Greiffenberger Short-range Lidars: Velodyne Long-range Lidars: Valeo GPU computing platforms: Nvidia Automotive acoustics (noise, vibration, harshness) expertise: Focal Speech synthesis: Acapela Connected payment solutions: Ingenico Tyres: Michelin Data sheet