The power of collaboration at Future Powertrain Conference 2016
Collaboration was in the air during the APC “Imagineering” Networking Session at the Future Powertrain Conference 2016. The APC worked in partnership with STEM outreach organisation Imagineering, to test the ability of attendees of the Future Powertrain Conference. The session challenged attendees to form strong enough collaborative partnerships to transverse the “Valley of Death”. Teams armed with boxes of K’NEX took on the task of constructing motorised vehicles to overcome the obstacle in their way. The task went down a storm, with attendees from range of backgrounds coming together to try and claim first place at the APC Imagineering race. A variety of designs were brought to the race, some of which failed and others that were successful. After a close race, table 1 managed to take first place, speeding across the ‘Valley of Death’ in the quickest time. To see the action for yourself, watch the video below.
The 2 day event which is designed to bring together industry and academic experts within the powertrain development field. The conference, held in partnership between AVL Powertrain UK, Imperial College London, The Advanced Propulsion Centre and others, welcomed 400 industry experts from 175 companies, who met to discuss the solutions to the challenges faced by the engineering industry in the UK and internationally over the next ten years. The first keynote of the day came from Michael Hurwitz, Director, Energy, Technology & International at the UK Department for Transport, who discussed the current regulations for emissions, future regulations and what that may hold for the future of the powertrain. Michael opened by saying that legislators have been emboldened following the dieselgate scandal, which will result in future regulations being much stricter. He discussed that this is a positive move and will drive new low emission innovation. Micheal concluded his talk by casting an eye on the exciting future for low emission innovation and the opportunities it holds. Other key note speakers included Professor Ricardo Martinez-Bota, Turbomachinery at the Imperial College London, who looked forward to the transport of 2050 in his talk. The event hosted talks on a range of topics with experts discussing everything from batteries, to future policies, energy demands, electric machines and power electronics as well as a vast variety of other topics.
Ian Constance, CEO of the Advanced Propulsion Centre was also a key note speaker at the event. Ian gave an insight into his career and views on the automotive industry as a keynote speaker at the event. Ian described his time working across the world and the experiences he’s had along the way, to a packed out networking dinner on the first day of the event. Ian inspired the crowd by giving a look into the future of the automotive industry, and the exciting opportunities for change in the coming decade with new technologies appearing. To see Ian during his talk, see below.
The APC team were on hand at the event to explain more about what the APC can offer to attendees, and what resources are available through the APC.