Porsche, ClearMotion Team Up to Innovate Proactive Chassis Tech

Apr 15, 2024 03:06 AM EDT

PORSCHE CAR AUTOMOBILE YELLOW PORSCHE — (Photo : PIXABAY/Vlad_Aivazovsky)

Renowned for its innovative software-defined chassis technology, ClearMotion has partnered with Porsche AG. The participating companies have stated that this alliance is a cooperative endeavor to progress the future of vehicle dynamics.

Porsche,ClearMotion Partnership

According to Reuters, the U.S. company ClearMotion and the German luxury automobile maker Porsche are working together to validate ClearMotion's novel active suspension system and road-reading software. Both firms revealed that as part of their collaboration, ClearMotion's cutting-edge technology is subject to a licensing agreement.

ClearMotion CEO Zack Anderson refrained from specifying the Porsche models eligible for integration with the company's technology, as reported by Reuters. However, he emphasized the versatility of the proactive chassis suspension tech, indicating its suitability for both electric and combustion-engine vehicles without necessitating any redesign.

Ingo Albers, Porsche's vice president for drive systems, underscored the significance of vehicle motion in enhancing the driving and passenger experience. He expressed Porsche's commitment to exploring potential long-term collaboration opportunities with ClearMotion, aiming to establish a foundation for closer cooperation, as stated in a press release.

As per Auto Connected Car News, within the framework of this agreement, Porsche and ClearMotion will engage in collaborative efforts encompassing ClearMotion1TM, an advanced active suspension technology boasting high bandwidth capabilities, as well as RoadMotionTM, innovative software designed for proactive chassis control through road surface fingerprinting.

In remarks by Christian Steinmann, CEO of ClearMotion, he emphasized ClearMotion's association with an unparalleled premium driving experience within the automotive industry. Steinmann highlighted the collaboration's potential to significantly alter the driving experience and facilitate ClearMotion's expansion into the European market.

He expressed eagerness to establish a productive partnership with Porsche and explore the possibilities of a lasting, cross-brand alliance.

Clear Motion1 Suspension System

According to Reuters, the ClearMotion1 suspension system utilizes a combination of hardware and software to enhance the driving experience. Each wheel well of a vehicle houses a compact unit comprising a motor and power electronics. This technology enables the system to anticipate road conditions, reducing vehicle motion by approximately 75% compared to existing solutions.

Last December, ClearMotion announced a contract with Nio to supply its technology for the upcoming ET9 model, covering 750,000 cars over the sedan's lifespan. In addition to this collaboration, ClearMotion will partner with Porsche to validate its RoadMotion software.

This innovative "road surface fingerprinting software," as described by Anderson to Reuters, collects road data, uploads it to the cloud, and then streams it back to vehicles. This process aims to improve ride comfort and enhance obstacle detection, such as avoiding potholes.

The integration of ClearMotion's suspension system with RoadMotion technology creates a comprehensive solution aimed at enhancing safety, performance, and comfort. Through machine learning, these technologies crowdsource detailed road surface data, enabling vehicles to anticipate and react proactively to road conditions.

This collaboration holds the promise of enhancing Porsche's renowned chassis performance even further. Moreover, as part of their partnership, Porsche and ClearMotion have entered into a license agreement.

This agreement signifies Porsche's recognition of the value ClearMotion's technologies bring to the automotive industry, paving the way for further advancements in vehicle dynamics and driving experience.