Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1350598
MARCH 2021 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 9 is statement ought to make us all sit up straight and pay attention, because the more our vehicles start to look like rolling compu- tational platforms, the more automotive man- ufacturing will evolve to look like electron- ics manufacturing; right down to the nimble, short lead time product development. Auto makers will operate more like EMS compa- nies, not the other way around. e lay of the land in our industry is going to change. In this issue, we begin to map out the new landscape of transportation electronics. Un- doubtedly, we will travel this way again in fu- ture issues, as there is much to explore. A key takeaway is that automotive applications will be an active area of innovation in the com- ing years, and that this innovation will change PCBs throughout the entire industry. As Ken Kesey said back in the 1960s, as his co- hort drove their ancient school bus across the United States bound for Woodstock, "You're either on the bus or you're off the bus." Wheth- er we choose to be on or off this development path ourselves, it will be important to keep, well, up to speed. Finally, we continue our year of X = X c – 1 continuous improvement. We are gather- ing your stories and successes in continuous improvement where you work. Contact us at editorial@iconnect007.com with your person- al stories of reducing by one to effect improve- ments—we would love to hear from you. PCB007 References: 1. Biden Orders Sweeping Review of U.S. Supply Chain Weak Spots 2. NASA Takes Steps to Reduce Aviation Emissions, Invigorate U.S. Economy 3. Fisker, Foxconn Set to Collaborate on Electric Vehicle Project of integrated megawatt-class powertrain sys- tems for subsonic aircra. e deadline for proposals for this solicitation is 5 p.m. EST April 20 [2021]. e demonstrations will help rapidly mature and transition integrated Electrified Aircra Propulsion (EAP) tech- nologies and associated EAP vision systems for introduction into the global fleet by 2035. Integrated EAP concepts are rapidly emerg- ing as potentially transformative solutions to significantly improve the environmental sus- tainability of the next generation of subson- ic transport vehicles. EAP electrical systems are being developed to replace or boost fu- el-burning aircra propulsion systems, anal- ogous to how electric or hybrid motors are used in automobiles." [2] I find it interesting that the vision is for an EAP solution by 2035. at's the same year that a number of global automakers plan to have 100% EV product portfolios. Companies globally are gearing up to deliver electric vehicles. Citing multiple news releas- es recently regarding the partnership between Foxconn and Fisker, the two companies: • Signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop a breakthrough new vehicle • Will manufacture the vehicle at projected annual volumes of more than 250,000 units • Announced a strategic shi in battery technology for Fisker vehicles that, Fisker claims, will extend range and overall usefulness of the electric vehicle • Project the start of production to be Q4 2023; this will be the second vehicle intro- duced by the Fisker brand, following the launch of the Ocean SUV in Q4 2022 A Fisker official is quoted in news sources as saying, "e collaboration between our firms means that it will only take 24 months to pro- duce the next Fisker vehicle—from research and development to production, reducing to half the traditional time required to bring a new vehicle to market." [3] Nolan Johnson is managing editor of PCB007 Magazine. Nolan brings 30 years of career experience focused almost entirely on electronics design and manufacturing. To contact Johnson, click here.