Indigdo Applied sciences guarantees “a brand new class” of purpose-built electrical automobiles that it says are clean, spacious, sustainable, and aimed on the meaty center of the rideshare and supply markets. They’re additionally promising in-wheel electrical motors, lively suspension methods, wi-fi high-speed charging, and revolutionary battery administration software program at a aggressive worth.
Is the Indigo too good to be true?
“We’re altering the electrical car paradigm by leveraging our revolutionary robotic wheels with built-in lively suspension and wi-fi energy switch applied sciences to construct the world’s first ultra-efficient electrical automobiles with superior experience dealing with and luxury,” reads the Indigo Applied sciences web site. And, as run-on sentences go, belief Jo Borrás when he tells you that’s definitely one of many good ones.
So, what are we coping with right here, actually? The brief model is that Indigo is providing two variations of its new electrical van, FLOW. The FLOW and FLOW PLUS use “robotic IndiWheel” know-how that it calls, “the world’s first all-in-one powertrain with simultaneous in-wheel electrical propulsion and electrical lively suspension.”
Hub motors are nothing new, in fact. Firms like Aptera and Lordstown Motors have been attempting to make them work for a decade (or extra, by now), however Indigo’s addition of lively suspension — a suspension that successfully predicts street circumstances and adjusts the experience top at every nook to maintain the car stage, versus a passive suspension that merely reacts to the street — is pretty distinctive outdoors the racing world and the odd, early ’90s Infiniti Q45t.
Indigo’s wi-fi charging angle, too, is one other one which hasn’t seen main producer consideration in a number of years.
The official press launch, nevertheless, is considerably gentle on suspension and charging particulars, selecting as a substitute to repeat the previous bromides which have at all times surrounded hub motors. “Indigo invented robotic wheels that uniquely allow more room and luxury for small city EVs,” says Will Graylin, CEO of Indigo. “With out the transmission and motor between the wheels, Indigo FLOW has a low, flat flooring that gives extra cargo area than any car of its dimension. And the lively suspension in every wheel makes for an incredible experience consolation at an reasonably priced worth that individuals will love.”
The press launch additionally proclaims that Volker Kaese, former Audi Head of Innovation Product Administration, Eric Obers, previously design chief at Porsche and Lucid, and Hugh Robinson, additionally previously of Porsche, have joined the Indigo group.
It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if Indigo exhibits up with a totally purposeful prototype at this week’s Client Electronics Present, or in the event that they’ll “simply” present an idea or platform. Maybe tellingly, the corporate web site (as of seven:40PM, EST on 03JAN2021) invitations guests to “obtain press picture” (singular).
Electrek’s Take
If you happen to’re popping out to CES with plans to “shake up” the electrical supply and rideshare enterprise by taking over Amazon-backed Rivian, Google-backed Waymo/Zeekr, and established trade giants like Ford, it most likely wouldn’t kill you to — psshh, I dunno. Possibly have the Photoshop child cobble collectively 4 renders? Possibly 5, should you’re feeling actually spicy?
The chances that Indigo may get lively suspension, wi-fi excessive velocity charging, and in-wheel motors to work at a worth decrease than Rivian, Geely, and Ford could be lengthy sufficient with a totally realized manufacturing unit (simply ask Byton). With one render heading into CES?
Massive oof.
Supply | Pictures: Indigo Applied sciences.
Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for unique movies and subscribe to the podcast.