Airtificial drives growth in China with an electric mobility agreement
- The new agreement encompasses the engineering, design, and manufacturing of advanced robotic assembly lines for a renowned Chinese Tier 1 supplier. These assembly lines will enable the production of 200,000 electric steering systems annually for electric and hybrid vehicles.
- The assembly lines developed by Airtificial Intelligent Robots will be delivered turnkey to the Tier 1’s local plants in China and will handle the assembly and verification of the electric steering systems, which are high-precision automated systems, crucial for the operation and safety of these vehicles.
- This award represents another step forward in the Company’s expansion within the thriving automotive sector of the Asian market, one of the most technologically innovative on a global scale. It also marks progress in fulfilling its Strategic Plan for growth in markets with expanding economies.
Madrid, November 18, 2024. Airtificial Group has secured a contract with a prestigious Chinese Tier 1 manufacturer of electric steering systems for electric and hybrid vehicles. The project, worth over two million euros (more than 20 million yuan), will be delivered turnkey to the Tier 1’s local factories. It will last five months and enable the manufacturer to reach a production volume of 200,000 units per year. Airtificial continues its growth process in the promising Asian market, further demonstrating the effectiveness of its strategy of integrating engineering and intelligent robotics as part of its Strategic Plan. This approach has enabled the company to establish itself as a key player in the global electric and hybrid automotive sector.
The company already had presence in China, mainly in the aerospace sector. The implementation of a cross-sector engineering and intelligent robotics strategy has enabled the Group to enter the electric automotive sector, which is gaining momentum in the Asian country.
The electric steering systems produced by Tier 1 supplier are high-precision systems essential for the operation, efficiency and safety of electric and hybrid cars (Electric Vehicles -EVs- and Hybrid Electric Vehicle -HEVs-). These systems, known as Electric Power Steering (EPS), use an electric motor to provide direct assistance to the steering wheel. Unlike traditional electro-hydraulic steering systems in combustion vehicles, EPS systems do not rely on a hydraulic pump to generate the force needed for steering.
The components assembled by Airtificial’s robotic lines range from the Input-Pinion Assembly (IPA), which connects the steering wheel to the steering rack; to the power unit with pulley and belt, responsible for transmitting the electric motor’s power to the wheels. These lines will also verify crucial functions, such as the configuration of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), a key component part of the electric steering that processes information from numerous sensors and allows dynamic driving adjustment according to environmental conditions; End-of-Line Testing (EOLT), which ensures the quality and functionality of critical components before a car leaves the production line; or performing leak tests, essential diagnostics that detect liquid or gas leaks in critical electric power motor systems and associated components, such as inverters or high-voltage cables, and serve to ensure the reliability and durability of the propulsion system.
EPS systems in EVs and HEVs are characterized, firstly, by their lightness, since it does not depend on components such as the hydraulic pump or the oil tank to provide assistance, which contributes to reducing the vehicle’s weight and, therefore, its energy consumption. Secondly, because of its efficiency, since EPS, unlike hydraulic systems, only consumes energy when the driver turns the steering wheel. Thirdly, for its greater precision in vehicle control, since the ECU is responsible for the dynamic driving adjustment according to aspects such as speed, side wind or irregularities in the road. And fourthly and lastly, for its exponential increase in safety, since the greater precision provided by the ECU also allows the electric motor to respond more quickly to changing environmental conditions, improving, among other factors, stability in curves with greater control of turns or customization in the driving modes adapted to the driver’s needs, factors that result in a smoother and more comfortable driving experience.
With the engineering, design and manufacturing of these intelligent robotic assembly lines, Airtificial Group, through its Airtificial Intelligent Robots business unit, continues to expand its expertise in cutting-edge engineering for EVs and HEVs, positioning itself as a preferred global Tier 2 supplier of innovative solutions for the automotive industry. In addition, Airtificial is advancing in the fulfilment of its Strategic Plan, focusing on growth in Asian markets, which offer invaluable opportunities due to their expanding economies, especially in the automotive, aeronautics and civil works sectors, and their great sales potential given their huge customer bases.
Guillermo Fernández de Peñaranda, CEO of Airtificial Group, highlighted that “growing in China aligns with our strategic plan of geographical expansion. The local Tier 1 has relied on us for the high technology of our intelligent lines, which adds significant value to its production chain and optimize resources and efficiency in manufacturing long series of electric and hybrid vehicle steering systems”. And added: “Airtificial much to contribute to the global development of this industry, as demonstrated by our exclusive production and excellence in the provision of services, securing new contracts and experiencing exponential growth as the one in China in just one year”.
About Airtificial
Airtificial offers global and innovative design and manufacturing solutions for the automotive, aeronautics, infrastructure and other industrial sectors, integrating advanced technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence that together with human interaction contribute to a more sustainable development. Listed on the Continuous Market, it has an operational presence in fourteen countries in the main markets of Europe, America and Asia; and contributes to the digital transformation and the automation and optimization of its customers’ processes in the industrial field through sustainable and competitive growth.
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