Toyota Motor

Iron-platinum catalyst keeps fuel cells clean, even in cold weather

Batteries are currently outpacing fuel cells in the technological race to power the electric vehicle. Lithium batteries keep getting cheaper, while fuel cells remain hampered by pricey, short-lived platinum catalysts. Researchers suggest that adding a bit more platinum—albeit in a novel form—could help fuel cell cars catch up.

Dilemma of Automotive Vertical Integration

It is a rule-of-thumb that manufacturers should vertically integrate only when products and markets mature, so they can confidently shave off the last pennies of cost. One exception is when shortages loom: Tesla built its battery gigafactory fast using proven Panasonic technology. However, many suppliers now build battery gigafactories.

Why Tesla Bought the Supercapacitor World Leader

Tesla needs to excel in the much broader range of energy storage technologies needed for Class 8 trucks down to Tesla 3 cars to retain uniquely long range for the price.

Toyota highlight the significance of 3D printing in lightweight design

3D printing is rapidly reaching industrial commercialisation in numerous sectors; IDTechEx forecast that the total market will be worth $22bn by 2028. One of the key features is the design freedom this technology enables where, alongside other functional advantages, a major opportunity is in lightweighting.

Electric Vehicle Motors: Next Big Thing

EV motors have lasted for over 100 years on boats and their design changed slowly. Now some last only a few years and they are subject to rapid technology change and an acquisition frenzy. What is going on? The new IDTechEx report, "Electric Motors for Electric Vehicles: Land, Water, Air 2019-2029" explains and - in over 30 ten-year forecasts and roadmaps - predicts.

Predicting the Death of Lithium-ion Batteries

Nothing is forever. Such is the runaway success of lithium-ion batteries that building gigafactories to make them is a no brainer. For now.

Toyota and Kenworth collaborate to develop zero emission trucks

Kenworth Truck Company and Toyota Motor North America are collaborating to develop 10 zero-emission Kenworth T680s powered by Toyota hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrains.

Sea Machines raises $10 million

Sea Machines Robotics announced that it has closed a $10 million Series A investment.

Research multiplies the life of rechargeable NiMH batteries

Researchers have developed a method to multiply the lifespan of nickel-metal hydride batteries. This means that the batteries can handle a great many more charging cycles without losing capacity. The new method also means that the batteries can easily be restored once they have begun to wear out, unlike other rechargeable batteries that must be melted down for recycling.

Auto industry reacts to deal on CO2 targets for cars and vans

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association takes note of the final deal on the CO2 regulation for cars and vans, setting targets for the years 2025 and 2030, which was struck by the EU member states and the European Parliament.

Making Sense of Opposite Views on Fuel Cell Vehicles

Fuel cell vehicles are being trialled in mines, on farms, in construction, on roads, as boats, as trains.

Electric Vehicle Futures at the IDTechEx Show! Silicon Valley

Many new electric vehicles were on display at the IDTechEx Show! on November 14-15 in Santa Clara, but that was the tip of the iceberg. The event had a hidden message; the future enabling technologies for electric vehicles (EVs) from buses to cars to mining vehicles.

Pizza Hut's pizza making truck

Pizza Hut has joined forces with Toyota to develop the one-of-a-kind, zero-emission Tundra PIE Pro, a mobile pizza factory with the ability to deliver oven-hot pizza wherever it goes.

Personal robot to tidy your room

Unlike in controlled and regulated environments like factories, robots in the home need to respond flexibly to dynamic and complex situations and communicate naturally with humans.

Fuel cells make a comeback in electric vehicles

This coming November 14-15 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, leading players in the battery and energy storage industry will compete to capture the audience's attention over what technology is set to dominate in the coming decade.

Model helps robots navigate more like humans do

When moving through a crowd to reach some end goal, humans can usually navigate the space safely without thinking too much. They can learn from the behavior of others and note any obstacles to avoid. Robots, on the other hand, struggle with such navigational concepts.

Mazda announces electrification and connectivity strategies

Mazda Motor Corporation announced electrification and connectivity strategies. The strategies are based on Mazda's long-term vision for technology development.

Toyota to supply its hydrogen technology to Caetanobus SA

Toyota has taken another important step towards a broader hydrogen society by announcing that it will provide its hydrogen fuel cell technology to Caetanobus SA in Portugal.

The state of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure

The global electric vehicle population reached 3 million units at the end of 2017, which represents approximately 0.23% of the global vehicle population. Electric vehicle producers have responded to consumer's range anxiety by increasing the available range per charge in their vehicles to more than 200 miles. However ultimately the deployment of electric vehicles will depend on the deployment of ubiquitous chargers.

Graphene commercialization: a look back at the story so far

Graphene is not a young material: the Nobel Prize was awarded in 2010 and the first pioneering firms were established before that c. 2006. Graphene thus has more than a decade of commercial experience already. As IDTechEx have argued previously, after all this time, graphene is becoming increasingly available and affordable and is finally findings its first wave of volume markets. In this article, we will look at the evolution of graphene commercialization so far and will offer some insights about the future.