Something is happening in drive technology. Electric motors are in the process of revolutionizing the automotive industry, and the aircraft industry is also toying with low-CO2 electric-driven engines. Anyone who wants to pursue a career in drive development should keep an eye on this – and learn a bit of programming along the way.
325,000 pre-orders in just one week – no car has ever had such a huge success, especially one that doesn't even exist yet. The Tesla Model 3 has achieved exactly what local automobile manufacturers only dream of: making driving cool again, desirable, a status symbol. Because Tesla's models are not only stylish and fast, but above all also electric, which promises environmental friendliness and sustainability. And so it is no longer the dull roar of an engine in the style of the Fast & The Furious cinema series that promises masculinity and strength. Instead, the car of the future sounds like a swarm of bees: nothing more than a gentle bsssst can be heard.
Better late than never
This much is certain: Anyone who wants to be involved in the future of drive technology should have the electrification of the industry on their radar. Not only at Tesla, but also at local automobile manufacturers, suppliers and even in aviation, they are working hard on electronic drives or at least those with electronic support. In some cases, old knowledge is used. Take Audi, for example: In 1989, the Ingolstadt-based company released the first hybrid car under the title Audi 100 Duo. There was initially no successor model; it was only 20 years later that the plans were taken out of the drawers again. “Electrification is very important to us,” says Ralph Börner today. However, the head of the human resources department for technical development puts things into perspective: “Whether these are purely electric vehicles, fuel or CO2-neutral combustion, we'll have to wait and see. You have to see what prevails - at Audi we want to offer as wide a range as possible." The group still wants to be prepared this time: a total of 1,200 experts from the areas of electromobility and digitalization are to be hired in 2016.
After electrical engineering, IT is the second magic word in drive development. “Drive technologies, assistance systems or sensory feedback are controlled and regulated by software,” explains Ralph Börner from Audi. And in electromobility, problems with range or charging time are increasingly being solved using software instead of hardware. “We want to increasingly promote IT understanding among all employees,” says Börner. That doesn't mean that only IT people are being hired now. Audi is also looking for electrical engineers or mechanical engineers. However, a basic understanding of IT is a plus, if only because electrification and IT often represent two sides of the same coin in current developments. It is no coincidence that the prototypes of the cars from Google and Apple as well as the Tesla are not only smart but also electric.
And not only on land, but also in the air, electric drives in combination with smart software control are predicted to have a great future. Airbus and Siemens are currently working on a prototype of an electric-powered aircraft, and the first machines are expected to be ready by 2020 - but only for up to 100 passengers on medium- and long-haul flights. Installing an electric drive in an airplane is a lot more complicated than in a car. “In case of doubt, every additional kilogram of weight in an aircraft is problematic,” says Eberhard Nicke from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), “because it has a negative effect on the flight characteristics and the range.” Nevertheless: Because development cycles in aviation running slower than in automobiles, the current discussion is a paradigm shift. “Until a few years ago, there was an unassailable Brenner regime in research,” says Nicke. »The entire aircraft was designed around the burner. Today things are different and engineers are also open to more unconventional ideas.«
Smart, electronic and connected
Regardless of whether it is an aircraft or an automobile, cross-departmental exchange is a must everywhere in drive development. As the heart of a vehicle, developments from pretty much all other departments have an impact on the drive. A lighter body reduces the weight of the vehicle, makes it possible to install a smaller drive, which in turn requires different sensors, and so on - almost like a game of dominoes. “Today, an automobile company like Audi can only function as a networked company,” says Ralph Börner from the human resources department. »Anyone who applies to us should not just concentrate on a single component, but rather develop a holistic understanding of the drive of the future. Soft skills such as communication and teamwork skills are therefore a given for us.«
There are many ways to get started in drive development. A trainee program is a classic way to start a career. At Audi, we also rely on close exchanges with universities and have over 30 scientific collaborations in the greater Ingolstadt area. Here, graduates can establish contacts in the company through collaborations on their bachelor's, master's or doctoral theses and thus find easier access. But the side entry is also not unusual. “Many innovations also come from medium-sized companies,” says Ralph Börner. »We see these companies as creative partners. Young people can build up good basic qualifications there in a short time, which we value very much.«
And anyone who is really interested in drive research can gain practical experience before graduating. Formula Student Germany, for example, is the largest student car race in the world. Teams made up of students from all disciplines spend a year working on their cars, optimizing the drive, chassis and weight in order to compete against each other in the finale at the Hockenheim Ring. The team from Regensburg won the prize for the best drive, the “Powertrain Award,” last year. For a while, the people from Upper Palatinate took a two-pronged approach, developing an electric one alongside the traditional racing car in order to be able to qualify for all competitions. However, the E-Team is currently inactive. “We are a mechanical engineering-focused university,” says team manager Michael Lermer. »The students are not that interested in electric racing cars. They want engines that make a lot of noise.”
AUTOMOTIVE:
What jobs are behind it?
Electric motors are low in CO2 and efficient. So it's no wonder that the automotive and aircraft industries are now relying on it.
